Exodus 36:13 kjv
And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.
Exodus 36:13 nkjv
And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps, that it might be one tabernacle.
Exodus 36:13 niv
Then they made fifty gold clasps and used them to fasten the two sets of curtains together so that the tabernacle was a unit.
Exodus 36:13 esv
And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole.
Exodus 36:13 nlt
Then he made fifty gold clasps and fastened the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle was made of one continuous piece.
Exodus 36 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 26:1-6 | "Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen... and thou shalt make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together..." | God's specific instructions for the clasps |
| Ex 35:10-11 | "And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering..." | Call for skilled workers to build the Tabernacle |
| Ex 39:32-33 | "Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they." | Confirmation of obedience to commands |
| Num 3:25-26 | "And the charge of the sons of Gershon... the covering, and the screen for the door..." | Levites' responsibility for Tabernacle coverings |
| Lev 26:11-12 | "And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people." | God's promise to dwell with His people |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." | Christ 'tabernacling' (dwelling) among humanity |
| Heb 8:1-2 | "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." | Christ as minister of the heavenly Tabernacle |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands..." | Christ entered a greater, heavenly Tabernacle |
| Rev 21:3 | "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." | Ultimate dwelling of God with humanity |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "Now therefore ye are no more strangers... but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." | Believers built into God's dwelling place |
| Eph 4:3-6 | "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit..." | The church's call to spiritual unity |
| Col 2:19 | "And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." | Body of Christ held together in unity |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." | Call for unity in the church |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." | The church as a unified body |
| Jn 17:21-23 | "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us..." | Jesus' prayer for unity among believers |
| Ps 133:1 | "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" | Commendation of unity |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" | Faith's value surpassing gold |
| Job 28:15-17 | "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof... No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies." | Wisdom's value compared to precious metals |
| Prov 3:13-14 | "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold." | Spiritual value over material wealth |
| Rev 21:18, 21 | "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass... And the twelve gates were twelve pearls... and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass." | Gold representing divine purity in the New Jerusalem |
Exodus 36 verses
Exodus 36 13 Meaning
Exodus 36:13 describes the precise work involved in constructing the Tabernacle, specifically the joining of the inner linen curtains. Skilled craftsmen, led by Bezalel, followed divine instructions to create fifty golden clasps. These clasps were then used to connect two sets of curtains, transforming them into a single, cohesive covering for the sacred dwelling place of God among the Israelites. The verse emphasizes the meticulous obedience to God's design and the resulting unity of His chosen sanctuary.
Exodus 36 13 Context
Exodus 36 continues the narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, following the detailed instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Ex 25-31) and the people's generous contributions (Ex 35). This specific verse focuses on the assembly of the inner linen curtains, which formed the most sacred enclosure of the Tabernacle. These curtains were made in two separate sections (one of four curtains and one of five curtains, as specified in Ex 26:1-6, although the common translation in 36:13 often simplifies this to imply two sets of curtains), and they needed to be securely fastened together. The act of "coupling" them with golden clasps was essential for the structure to become "one tabernacle," a singular, unified dwelling place for the Holy One of Israel. This precision underscores the sacred nature of the Tabernacle as the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people.
Exodus 36 13 Word analysis
- And he made: Refers to Bezalel, the chief artisan, and those working under him. It emphasizes the active obedience and meticulous craftsmanship employed in fulfilling God's instructions.
- fifty clasps (Heb. קְרָסִים, k'rasim): These were specific fastening hooks, crucial for connecting the curtains. The number "fifty" (often associated with completion, Pentecost, or Jubilee in biblical numerology) highlights the exactness required and the full complement needed for secure unification.
- of gold (Heb. זָהָב, zahav): Gold signifies divine nature, purity, holiness, preciousness, and imperishability. Its use here indicates the intrinsic sacredness and high value placed on the unity and structure of God's dwelling place. The inner clasps being gold distinguished them from the bronze clasps used for the outer goats' hair curtains (Ex 26:11), denoting a higher level of sanctity for the inner sanctuary.
- and coupled (Heb. וַיְחַבֵּר, vayechabber): To join, unite, connect. This active verb denotes the physical act of bringing distinct parts together into a cohesive whole, emphasizing the deliberate process of creating unity.
- the curtains (Heb. יְרִיעֹת, yeriyot): Specifically referring to the innermost linen curtains, dyed with blue, purple, and scarlet, and embroidered with cherubim (Ex 26:1). These were the spiritual 'walls' of God's dwelling.
- one to another: This phrase emphasizes the direct connection and intimate linkage between the two sets of curtains, leaving no gap or division.
- with the clasps: Reiteration of the specific means by which the unity was achieved, underscoring the vital role of these small, yet powerful, fasteners.
- so it became: Denotes the transformation and the accomplished outcome—a unified, functional structure.
- one tabernacle (Heb. מִשְׁכָּן אֶחָד, mishkan echad): A single, indivisible dwelling place. This "oneness" signifies the singularity of God's presence and His desire for a unified people gathered around Him. It highlights the divine intention for unity at the very core of His habitation.
Exodus 36 13 Bonus section
The contrast in metals used for clasps in the Tabernacle's coverings is notable. While the innermost linen curtains (Ex 36:13) were joined by gold clasps, the outer goats' hair curtains (Ex 36:18) were joined by bronze clasps. This distinction signifies varying degrees of holiness and access. Gold, representing divine perfection, was used for the immediate dwelling of God's glory within the inner sanctuary. Bronze, often associated with judgment and human sin (as seen in the bronze altar and laver), connected the outer covering, which, though essential, stood closer to the realm of human interaction and the necessity of atonement. Thus, the Tabernacle was perfectly constructed, with every detail, even the clasps and their material, imbued with symbolic meaning pointing to the nature of God, sin, and redemption.
Exodus 36 13 Commentary
Exodus 36:13, while detailing a simple act of construction, carries profound significance. It highlights the principle of divine instruction leading to perfect unity. The clasps, small but essential components, serve as a vivid illustration that every part, no matter how seemingly minor, is crucial for the integrity of the whole. The use of gold underscores that the unity and very fabric of God's dwelling place must be of divine quality, precious, pure, and consecrated. This act of "coupling" the curtains into "one tabernacle" directly foreshadows God's larger design: bringing diverse individuals together through a divine mechanism (ultimately, Christ) to form a unified spiritual dwelling, the church. Just as the Tabernacle was not merely a collection of materials but a single, consecrated entity through these fasteners, so too is God's spiritual house built into one unified Body.