And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.

EXODUS 36:13KJV
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Exodus 36:13 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:13 mean?

Exodus 36:13 describes how fifty gold clasps were made and used to join the curtains of the tabernacle together, so that all the separate pieces became one unified structure. This verse highlights the careful work done to make the tabernacle a single, connected whole.

In this part of Exodus, skilled workers are building the tabernacle according to God’s instructions given to Moses. The verse focuses on a practical detail: using gold fasteners to link together large fabric panels, called curtains, so the tabernacle would function as one tent. This careful joining was essential for the tabernacle’s structure and unity.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:13

  • "taches" (קֶרֶס, qeres): This word refers to the gold clasps or hooks used to fasten the curtains. These were not just decorative but were necessary to physically connect the fabric panels, showing the importance of every small part in the tabernacle’s construction.
  • "coupled" (חָבַר, chavar): This verb means to join or bind together. The use here emphasizes that the curtains were not just placed side by side but were securely fastened to become one continuous covering.
  • "tabernacle" (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan): This word means "dwelling place" or "sanctuary." The verse’s focus on making the tabernacle "one" stresses the idea of unity in the place where God would dwell among the Israelites.

Why Exodus 36:13 matters

  • This verse clears up that the tabernacle was not made of a single piece of fabric but was carefully assembled from many parts, showing the value of precision and cooperation in sacred work.
  • The emphasis on unity—making many curtains into "one tabernacle"—connects to the larger biblical theme of bringing together many elements to serve a single purpose.
  • Understanding the construction details helps readers appreciate the craftsmanship and obedience involved in following God’s instructions exactly as given to Moses.

Where else these words appear

“taches” Hebrew H7165 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 26:6 And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.
  • Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
  • Exodus 36:18 And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.

“coupled” Hebrew H2266 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Exodus 36:18 And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
  • Psalms 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

“curtains” Hebrew H3407 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 26:1 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.
  • Exodus 26:12 And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
  • Exodus 36:17 And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.

“tabernacle” Hebrew H4908 · used in 129 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • Exodus 40:18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
  • Numbers 16:9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?