Exodus 26:1
New International Version
“Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.

New Living Translation
“Make the Tabernacle from ten curtains of finely woven linen. Decorate the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.

English Standard Version
“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

Berean Standard Bible
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.

King James Bible
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

New King James Version
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them.

New American Standard Bible
“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and violet, purple, and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer.

NASB 1995
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.

NASB 1977
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful designer.

Amplified Bible
“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle (sacred tent of worship) with ten [interior] curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet fabric; you shall make them with [embroidered] cherubim, the handwork of a skillful craftsman.

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains. You must make them of finely spun linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with a design of cherubim worked into them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to construct the tabernacle itself with 10 curtains. You must make them of finely spun linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with a design of cherubim worked into them.

American Standard Version
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou make them.

Contemporary English Version
The top of the sacred tent must be made from ten pieces of the finest linen, woven with blue, purple, and red wool and embroidered with figures of winged creatures.

English Revised Version
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the cunning workman shalt thou make them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD continued,] "Make the inner tent with ten sheets made from fine linen yarn. Take violet, purple, and bright red yarn, and creatively work an angel design into the fabric.

Good News Translation
"Make the interior of the sacred Tent, the Tent of my presence, out of ten pieces of fine linen woven with blue, purple, and red wool. Embroider them with figures of winged creatures.

International Standard Version
"You are to make the tent with ten curtains of fine woven linen and with blue, purple, and scarlet material. You are to make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

Majority Standard Bible
?You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.

NET Bible
"The tabernacle itself you are to make with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet; you are to make them with cherubim that are the work of an artistic designer.

New Heart English Bible
"Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of curious work shalt thou make them.

World English Bible
“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. You shall make them with the work of a skillful workman.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And you make the Dwelling Place [with] ten curtains of twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet; [with] cherubim, the work of a designer, you make them;

Young's Literal Translation
And thou dost make the tabernacle: ten curtains of twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet; with cherubs, work of a designer, thou dost make them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And thou shalt make the tent, ten curtains, white linen twisted, and cerulean purple, and reddish purple, and double scarlet: and cherubs the work of the artificer shalt thou make them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt make the tabernacle in this manner: Thou shalt make ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, diversified with embroidery.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Truly, thus shall you make the tabernacle: You shall make ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and hyacinth as well as purple, and twice-dyed scarlet, with diverse embroidery.

New American Bible
The tabernacle itself you shall make out of ten sheets woven of fine linen twined and of violet, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim embroidered on them.

New Revised Standard Version
Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
MOREOVER you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue and purple and scarlet material; with cherubim, the workmanship of a craftsman shall you make them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And for the Tabernacle you shall make ten curtains of fine woven white linen, blue fringes and purple and dye of scarlet; you shall make Cherubim, the work of a craftsman.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shalt thou make them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt make the tabernacle, ten curtains of fine linen spun, and blue and purple, and scarlet spun with cherubs; thou shalt make them with work of a weaver.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ten Curtains of the Tabernacle
1 You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. 2Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size.…

Cross References
Hebrews 8:5
The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 9:23-24
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. / For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

Exodus 25:9
You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

Exodus 36:8-13
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them. / Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size. / And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well. ...

1 Kings 6:29-30
Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. / And he overlaid the temple floor with gold in both the inner and outer sanctuaries.

2 Chronicles 3:14
He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

Hebrews 10:20
by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

Isaiah 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Psalm 104:2
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,

Numbers 4:5-6
Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. / They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Ezekiel 41:1
Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side.


Treasury of Scripture

Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of cunning work shall you make them.

the tabernacle with ten curtains.

Exodus 25:8
And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 36:8-19
And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them…

Exodus 40:2,17-19
On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation…

fine twined linen

Exodus 25:36
Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.

Exodus 25:4
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

Exodus 35:6,35
And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, …

cherubims

Exodus 25:18
And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

cunning work.

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Artistic Best Blue Cherubim Cherubs Cunning Curious Curtains Designer Designs Fine Finely Good House Linen Material Moreover Ones Purple Red Scarlet Skilful Skilfully Skilled Skillful Stuff Tabernacle Ten Twined Twisted Winged Work Worked Workman Yarn
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Artistic Best Blue Cherubim Cherubs Cunning Curious Curtains Designer Designs Fine Finely Good House Linen Material Moreover Ones Purple Red Scarlet Skilful Skilfully Skilled Skillful Stuff Tabernacle Ten Twined Twisted Winged Work Worked Workman Yarn
Exodus 26
1. The ten curtains of the tabernacle
7. The eleven curtains of goats' hair, the covering of rams' and badgers' skins.
15. The boards of the tabernacle, with their sockets and bars
31. The veil for the ark
36. The hanging for the door














You are to construct
The directive "You are to construct" indicates a divine command given to Moses. The Hebrew root for "construct" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to make or do. This command underscores the active participation required by the Israelites in creating a dwelling place for God. It reflects the partnership between God and His people, where human obedience and divine instruction work in harmony.

the tabernacle itself
The term "tabernacle" comes from the Hebrew "מִשְׁכָּן" (mishkan), meaning "dwelling place." This was not just a physical structure but a symbol of God's presence among His people. The tabernacle served as a mobile sanctuary during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, representing God's desire to dwell with His people and guide them.

with ten curtains
The "ten curtains" signify completeness and order, as the number ten often represents in biblical numerology. These curtains formed the outer covering of the tabernacle, providing both protection and beauty. The use of multiple curtains also suggests layers of holiness, with each layer bringing the worshiper closer to the divine presence.

of finely spun linen
"Finely spun linen" indicates the quality and purity required for the tabernacle's construction. Linen, derived from the Hebrew "שֵׁשׁ" (shesh), was a symbol of purity and righteousness. The meticulous craftsmanship involved in spinning the linen reflects the care and reverence due to a place where God would dwell.

with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn
The colors "blue, purple, and scarlet" were significant in ancient Israelite culture. Blue (תְּכֵלֶת, tekhelet) symbolized the heavens and divine revelation. Purple (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) was a color of royalty and wealth, often associated with kingship. Scarlet (שָׁנִי, shani) represented sacrifice and atonement. Together, these colors woven into the tabernacle's curtains symbolized the multifaceted nature of God's presence—divine, royal, and redemptive.

with cherubim skillfully worked into them
The "cherubim" were angelic beings, often associated with the presence and holiness of God. The Hebrew word "כְּרוּבִים" (keruvim) suggests beings that guard sacred spaces. Their inclusion in the tabernacle's design served as a reminder of the heavenly realm and the sanctity of God's dwelling place. The phrase "skillfully worked" indicates the artistry and divine inspiration involved in the tabernacle's construction, reflecting the beauty and order of God's creation.

XXVI.

THE TABERNACLE.

(1-37) The sacred tent which was to form the "House of God," or temple, for Israel during the continuance of the people in the wilderness, and which in point of fact served them for a national sanctuary until the construction of the first temple by Solomon, is described in this chapter with a minuteness which leaves little to be desired. It is called ham-mishkan, "the dwelling," and ha-'ohel, "the tent" (Exodus 26:36)--the former from its purpose, as being the place where God "dwelt" in a peculiar manner (Exodus 25:22); the latter from its shape and general construction, which resembled those of other tents of the period. The necessary foundation was a framework of wood. This consisted of five "pillars," or tent-poles, in front (Exodus 26:37), graduated in height to suit the slope of the roof, and doubtless five similar ones at the back, though these are not mentioned. A ridge-pole must have connected the two central tent-poles, and over this ridge-pole the covering of the tent, which was of goats'-hair (Exodus 26:7), was no doubt strained in the ordinary way by means of cords and "pins," or tent-pegs (Exodus 35:18). Thus an oblong square space was roofed over, which seems to have been sixty feet long by thirty broad. Within this "tent" ('ohel) was placed the "dwelling" (mishkan). The "dwelling" was a space forty-five feet long by fifteen broad, enclosed on three sides by walls of boards (Exodus 26:18-25), and opening in front into a sort of porch formed by the projection of the "tent" beyond the "dwelling." Towards the open air this porch was closed, wholly or partially, by a curtain (Exodus 26:36). The "dwelling" was roofed over by another "curtain," or "hanging," of bright colours and rich materials (Exodus 26:1-6). It was divided into two portions, called respectively "the Holy Place," and "the Holy of Holies"--the former towards the porch, the latter away from it. These two places were separated by a "vail" hung upon four pillars (Exodus 26:31-32). Their relative size is uncertain; but it may be suspected that the Holy of Holies was the smaller of the two, and conjectured that the proportion was as one to two, the Holy of Holies being a square of fifteen feet, and the Holy Place an oblong, thirty feet long by fifteen. The whole structure was placed within an area called "the Court of the Tabernacle," which is described in the next chapter. . . .

Verses 1-37. - THE TABERNACLE. The sacred furniture which the tabernacle was to contain having been described, with the exception of the "altar of incense" the description of which is reserved for ch 30. (vers. 1-10)-directions were next given for the sacred structure itself. This was to consist of three main things -

1. A quadrangular enclosure thirty cubits long by ten broad, open at one end, and on the other three sides enclosed by boards of acacia-wood overlaid with gold - called the mishkan, or "the dwelling-place," in our version usually translated "tabernacle."

2. A tent of goat's hair, supported upon poles, and stretched by means of ropes and tent-pegs in the ordinary manner over the mishkan. This is called the ohel - which is the usual word for a "tent" in Hebrew, and is so translated generally (Genesis 4:20; Genesis 9:21; 13:31; 18:1, etc.), though in this chapter, unfortunately, "covering" (ver. 7); and

3. A "covering" - mikseh, to be placed over the ohel, composed of rams' skins dyed red, and seals' skins (ver. 14). Subordinate parts of the structure were - . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You are to construct
תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the tabernacle [itself]
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֥ן (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

[with] ten
עֶ֣שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

curtains
יְרִיעֹ֑ת (yə·rî·‘ōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3407: A hanging

of finely spun
מָשְׁזָ֗ר (mā·šə·zār)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7806: To be twisted

linen,
שֵׁ֣שׁ (šêš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8336: Bleached stuff, white linen, marble

[each] with blue,
וּתְכֵ֤לֶת (ū·ṯə·ḵê·leṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

purple,
וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ (wə·’ar·gā·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 713: Purple, red-purple

and scarlet yarn,
וְתֹלַ֣עַת (wə·ṯō·la·‘aṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8438: The crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

[and] cherubim
כְּרֻבִ֛ים (kə·ru·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3742: Probably an order of angelic beings

skillfully
חֹשֵׁ֖ב (ḥō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

worked
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה (ma·‘ă·śêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

into them.
אֹתָֽם׃ (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case


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OT Law: Exodus 26:1 Moreover you shall make the tabernacle (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 25:40
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