Exodus 36 20

Exodus 36:20 kjv

And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up.

Exodus 36:20 nkjv

For the tabernacle he made boards of acacia wood, standing upright.

Exodus 36:20 niv

They made upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

Exodus 36:20 esv

Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood.

Exodus 36:20 nlt

For the framework of the Tabernacle, Bezalel constructed frames of acacia wood.

Exodus 36 verses

Exodus 36 20 Meaning

Exodus 36:20 details the commencement of the Tabernacle's inner construction. It specifically states that all the "skilled workers"—those endowed by God with wisdom and understanding for craftsmanship—made the ten curtains for the Tabernacle. These curtains, central to the Tabernacle's beauty and sanctity, were meticulously crafted from fine twisted linen, woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and artistically embroidered with cherubim, indicating their sacred purpose and divine origin. This verse highlights both divine design and human capability enabled by God's Spirit.

Exodus 36 20 Context

Exodus 36:20 falls within the extensive biblical narrative concerning the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, commanded by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). Following the Israelites' offerings (Exodus 35) which generously provided all necessary materials, Exodus chapter 36 begins the practical execution of the divine blueprints. This verse, specifically, details the very first stage of crafting the core structure of the Tabernacle – the innermost set of curtains. These ten linen curtains, known as "the Tabernacle itself," formed the interior ceiling and walls of both the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, underscoring their profound significance as the immediate visual surroundings of God's manifest presence. The construction here is not merely architectural but deeply theological, a testament to Israel's obedience and God's desire to dwell among His people.

Exodus 36 20 Word analysis

• And they made (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - Va'ya'asu): A consecutive perfect, indicating the start of a direct action following previous commands and preparations. It emphasizes immediate execution of God's plan.
• all (כָּל - kol): Implies a collective, comprehensive effort. Not just a select few, but all those designated for the task.
• skilled workers (חֲכַם לֵב - hakham lev): Literally "wise of heart." In biblical Hebrew, "heart" (lev) often refers to the seat of intellect, will, and moral character. Thus, "wise of heart" signifies divinely given wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for specific tasks, distinguishing it from merely natural talent. It indicates spiritual enablement (Ex 31:3; 35:31).
• among those doing the work (בְּעֹשֵׂה הַמְּלָאכָה - b'oseh hamlakhah): Refers to the collective group of craftsmen commissioned for the Tabernacle's construction. This was a dedicated, divinely appointed workforce.
• the Tabernacle (אֶת-הַמִּשְׁכָּן - et-hamishkan): Hebrew for "dwelling place." This is the central purpose—to be a mobile sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. It is the immediate objective of their skillful labor.
• ten curtains (עֶשֶׂר יְרִיעֹת - eser yeri'ot): A specific number according to God's instruction (Ex 26:1). Each curtain was precisely sized and then fastened together to form a large canopy.
• finely twisted linen (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר - shesh mashzar):
  • finely linen (שֵׁשׁ - shesh): Egyptian linen, signifying purity, cleanliness, and often associated with holiness and priestly garments. It was expensive and high quality.
  • twisted (מָשְׁזָר - mashzar): Indicates the threads were spun into multi-ply cords, enhancing strength and durability. This reflects the high quality required for sacred articles.
• blue (תְּכֵלֶת - tchelet): A precious, vibrant blue dye from the murex snail. Symbolized the heavens, God's transcendence, and revelation.
• purple (אַרְגָּמָן - argaman): Another costly dye, symbolizing royalty, majesty, and divine sovereignty. It was associated with kings and nobility.
• scarlet yarn (וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי - v'tola'at shani): Literally "worm of scarlet," referring to the crimson dye extracted from the female coccus insect. Symbolized life, vitality, blood (sometimes atonement or purification). The combined colors represent the divine, kingly presence of God, manifested in the earthly dwelling.
• with cherubim (כְּרֻבִים - keruvim): Angelic, celestial beings associated with God's throne, presence, and guardianship of sacred spaces (Gen 3:24, Ex 25:18-20, Ezek 1:5-28). Their depiction on the curtains signified the presence of God and entry into His celestial realm.
• skillfully worked (מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב - ma'aseh choshev): "Work of a skilled designer/craftsman." Implies intricate, artistic embroidery and intelligent design, not merely mechanical weaving. This wasn't simple stitching; it was a complex art form, demonstrating God's Spirit enabling creative and meticulous craftsmanship.

Words-group Analysis:

• "All the skilled workers among those doing the work": Emphasizes the divine endowment of ability to all who participated, indicating that the task required more than mere human effort, but divinely empowered skill for collective work. This highlights God's sovereignty in providing both resources and abilities.
• "made the Tabernacle with ten curtains": Clearly links the craftsmanship directly to the core structure of the divine dwelling. These curtains were not peripheral; they constituted the very heart of the Tabernacle's interior.
• "finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn": The combination of pure, white linen (purity) with rich, royal colors (heavenly, kingly, life) elevates the materials beyond the mundane, designating them for holy use. This symbolism would have deeply resonated with the ancient Israelites.
• "with cherubim skillfully worked into them": The inclusion of cherubim and the phrase "skillfully worked" transform the curtains into a tangible representation of God's heavenly throne room. This brought the celestial closer to the terrestrial, indicating the sanctity of the space and God's guarding presence within it.

Exodus 36 20 Bonus section

The consistent use of "finely twisted linen" throughout the Tabernacle and priestly garments (e.g., Ex 28:8; 39:27) not only indicated purity but also incredible durability. Such high-quality weaving meant these massive, intricate curtains would endure the rigors of travel and last for generations, emphasizing the permanence of God's covenant dwelling despite the nomadic lifestyle. The selection of costly and difficult-to-produce materials (murex and cochineal dyes were highly prized and signified luxury) underlined the sacrificial giving of the people, elevating the worship space far beyond an ordinary tent. This generosity from a people recently freed from slavery also demonstrated their complete devotion and gratitude, contributing the finest materials they possessed for God's glory.

Exodus 36 20 Commentary

Exodus 36:20 marks the visible manifestation of God's detailed commands for His dwelling place among His people. It is more than just a logistical update; it underscores several profound theological truths. Firstly, it reiterates the divine empowerment of human skill. The phrase "wise of heart" is central, signifying that the Tabernacle's exquisite craftsmanship was not merely human ingenuity but a direct endowment of God's Spirit (Ex 31:3, 35:31). This concept permeates Christian theology, reminding believers that God gifts and enables individuals for His purposes (Eph 2:10; Php 2:13).

Secondly, the precise description of materials and design (fine linen, blue, purple, scarlet, cherubim) speaks to the meticulous nature of God's instructions and the Tabernacle's symbolic richness. Each element was laden with meaning: the purity of linen, the heavenly (blue), royal (purple), and life-giving (scarlet) aspects of God's presence, and the guardian role of cherubim that connect this earthly dwelling to God's heavenly throne room (Heb 8:5). The cherubim on the curtains effectively created a spiritual environment, immersing the priests in the atmosphere of heaven as they served.

Finally, the making of "the Tabernacle with ten curtains" emphasizes the centrality of God's presence. These curtains formed the interior sacred space where God manifested His glory. This physical structure foreshadowed the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity: Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14), the True Temple (Jn 2:19-21), and ultimately, believers as the spiritual temple (1 Cor 3:16) and God's eternal dwelling in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:3). The meticulous, Spirit-empowered creation of the Tabernacle's core elements points to God's desire for an intimate, holy relationship with His people, made possible by His design and executed through human obedience and divine grace.