Exodus 26. P. The Dwelling. This chapter deals with the tent, or tabernacle proper, describing in succession the four thicknesses of different materials which were to make its covering (Exodus 26:1-14. cf. Exodus 36:8-19); the framework that should support them (Exodus 26:15-30; cf. Exodus 36:20-34); the inner partition or veil (Exodus 26:31-33; cf. Exodus 36:35 f.) and the contents of the interior (Exodus 26:34 f; cf. Exodus 40:20; cf. Exodus 40:22; cf. Exodus 40:24); and lastly, the entrance screen (Exodus 26:36 f; cf. Exodus 36:37 f.). The interior was to consist of ten curtains, or breadths of the finest linen, embroidered in blue, purple, and scarlet threads, with figures of cherubs, the work of the designer (Exodus 26:1). The ten breadths were to be made into two large curtains, each made up of a coupling or set of breadths, these two to be attached to one another by fifty gold clasps, working in loops of blue tape (Exodus 26:2-6). The single curtain thus resulting hung down to the ground at the back, but left the front to be closed by the screen. Over this was to be placed a slightly larger tent of eleven breadths of goats-' -hair cloth, such as the Bedawin use still; two great curtains of five and six coupled breadths being joined by bronze clasps for use (Exodus 26:7-11). Removing from Exodus 26:12 the words the half curtain that remaineth, as a hasty gloss, the idea is clear: the sixth curtain was to be doubled over in front, to make a kind of valance over the screen, thus ensuring complete darkness, and leaving just enough to reach the ground at the back, as well as the sides (Exodus 26:12 f.). Over this again two leather coverings were to be placed, such as the Romans used over their tents in winter, i.e. one of ram-skins dyed red, probably with madder, and the other of porpoise or dugong skins.
Next comes the account of the supporting framework. The exact sense of the word rendered boards being uncertain, A. R. S. Kennedy's view has been widely accepted that these were open frames, letting the colours and embroidery of the inner linen tent show through, and not solid boards or rather beams. His view is best given by quoting his rendering of Exodus 26:15-17: And thou shalt make the frames for the Dwelling of acacia wood, standing up
Exodus 26:10 cubits the length of a frame, and 1½ cubits the breadth of a frame, namely, two uprights for each frame, joined one to another by cross-rails. The frames were to stand in sockets of silver (Exodus 26:18-22), two extra frames being provided to strengthen the corners at the back (Exodus 26:23 f.). To keep the frames in place bars ran through rings on both sides and the end one long middle bar, with two shorter bars above and two below, in each case (Exodus 26:26-28). The rings were to be of gold, and the wood gilded (Exodus 26:29).
The oblong chamber thus formed was to be divided by an embroidered veil of partition into the inner shrine or most holy place, 10 cubits square, and a holy place occupying two such squares, the veil being hung by golden hooks upon four pillars of gilded acacia wood in silver sockets or bases, and exactly under the clasps joining the two great curtains (Exodus 26:31-33).
The mercy-seat was to be set upon the Ark within the inner shrine, and outside the veil the table on the north and the candlestick on the south (Exodus 26:34 f.). The screen which closed the entrance was of the same material, but less elaborately embroidered, and was hung with gold hooks upon five pillars fixed in bronze sockets.