Topical Bible: Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on South Side

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Tabernacle, as described in the Book of Exodus, was a portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The construction of the Tabernacle was commanded by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and its detailed instructions are found primarily in Exodus chapters 25 through 40. Among the various components of the Tabernacle, the boards on the south side play a crucial role in its structure and symbolism.

Biblical Description

The boards of the Tabernacle were integral to its framework, providing both stability and form. According to Exodus 26:18, "You are to make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side." These boards were made of acacia wood, a durable and resistant material, overlaid with gold, signifying purity and divinity. Each board was ten cubits long and one and a half cubits wide (Exodus 26:16), reflecting the grandeur and holiness of the dwelling place of God.

Symbolism and Significance

The number twenty, as used in the construction of the Tabernacle, holds symbolic meaning in biblical numerology. It often represents a period of waiting or completeness. The twenty boards on the south side, therefore, can be seen as a representation of the completeness of God's covenant with Israel and His presence among His people.

The use of acacia wood, known for its resilience, symbolizes the enduring nature of God's promises. The gold overlay signifies the divine nature of God and His holiness. Together, these materials reflect the dual nature of the Tabernacle as both a physical structure and a spiritual symbol of God's covenant and presence.

Construction and Assembly

The boards were set in silver bases, with two bases under each board, as described in Exodus 26:19: "with forty silver bases under the twenty frames—two bases for each frame, one under each tenon." The use of silver, often associated with redemption, underscores the redemptive purpose of the Tabernacle as a place where God would meet with His people and where atonement for sins would be made.

The boards were joined together with bars, also overlaid with gold, to ensure stability and unity (Exodus 26:26-29). This construction method highlights the importance of unity and strength in the community of believers, as well as the interconnectedness of the various parts of God's plan.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the boards of the Tabernacle on the south side serve as a reminder of God's desire to dwell among His people and the meticulous care with which He instructed the Israelites to prepare a place for His presence. The detailed instructions and the use of precious materials reflect the holiness and reverence due to God.

The Tabernacle, and by extension its boards, prefigures the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true Tabernacle (John 1:14, Hebrews 9:11). Just as the boards provided a framework for the earthly dwelling of God, Christ provides the means by which believers can enter into the presence of God.

In summary, the boards of twenty on the south side of the Tabernacle are more than mere structural elements; they are rich in symbolism and theological significance, pointing to the enduring presence and promises of God among His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 26:18
And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 36:23
And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... curtains were four cubits in breadth, and twenty-eight in ... And after this manner was
the tabernacle reared. ... belonging to each of the longer boards, and passing ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

Scriptural Types.
... work on three sides consisted of upright boards, or rather ... and the outer, or "holy
place," twenty cubits long by ... when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... and the altar, were about five and twenty men with ... entereth in by the way of the
south gate, shall not ... and winding about still upward to the side chambers, for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm