And he made curtains of goats' hair for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.

EXODUS 36:14KJV
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Exodus 36:14 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:14 mean?

Exodus 36:14 describes how skilled workers made eleven curtains out of goats' hair to cover the tent that was over the tabernacle. This verse gives a specific detail about the construction of the tabernacle, focusing on the outer covering made from goats' hair and the number of curtains used.

In this part of Exodus, Moses is overseeing the building of the tabernacle, following the instructions God gave him on Mount Sinai. The people of Israel are in the wilderness, and these curtains are part of the portable sanctuary where they will worship. The verse highlights the careful attention to materials and numbers, showing the importance of following God's directions exactly.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:14

  • "Curtains" (יְרִיעָה, yeriah): This word refers to large fabric panels, not just small drapes. Here, it means the sizable sections that made up the tent covering.
  • "Goats'" (עֵז, ez): The use of goats' hair is significant because it was a common, durable material in the ancient Near East, especially for tents. It provided both strength and weather resistance.
  • "Tent" (אֹהֶל, ohel) and "tabernacle" (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan): "Ohel" refers to the outer tent structure, while "mishkan" is the inner sanctuary. This verse distinguishes between the two, showing that the goats' hair curtains were for the outer tent, not the inner holy place.
  • "Eleven" (אַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה, achat esreh): The specific number of curtains—eleven—shows careful adherence to the instructions given earlier in Exodus, underlining the importance of precision.

Why Exodus 36:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the tabernacle had more than just one layer; the goats' hair curtains formed a protective outer covering, which was separate from the inner linen curtains described earlier.
  • The distinction between "tent" and "tabernacle" helps readers understand the structure's layout: the tabernacle had an inner sanctuary and an outer tent, each with its own coverings.
  • By mentioning the exact number of curtains, the verse emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions in detail, which is a recurring theme in the tabernacle's construction.

Where else these words appear

“eleven” Hebrew H6249 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 26:7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
  • Deuteronomy 1:3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
  • Jeremiah 1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

“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.

“goats'” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
  • Numbers 29:5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:

“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?