Exodus 26:28
New International Version
The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames.

New Living Translation
The middle crossbar, attached halfway up the frames, will run all the way from one end of the Tabernacle to the other.

English Standard Version
The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end.

Berean Standard Bible
The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other.

King James Bible
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.

New King James Version
The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end.

New American Standard Bible
The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

NASB 1995
“The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

NASB 1977
“And the middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

Legacy Standard Bible
The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

Amplified Bible
And the middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through [horizontally] from end to end.

Christian Standard Bible
The central crossbar is to run through the middle of the supports from one end to the other.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The central crossbar is to run through the middle of the planks from one end to the other.

American Standard Version
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

Contemporary English Version
with the center crossbar running the full length of the wall.

English Revised Version
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The middle crossbar will run from one end to the other, halfway up the frames.

Good News Translation
The middle crossbar, set halfway up the frames, is to extend from one end of the Tent to the other.

International Standard Version
The center bar in the middle of the boards is to pass through from end to end.

NET Bible
The middle bar in the center of the frames will reach from end to end.

New Heart English Bible
The middle bar in the midst of the boards shall pass through from end to end.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other.

World English Bible
The middle bar in the middle of the boards shall pass through from end to end.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and one has caused the middle bar in the midst of the boards to reach from end to end;

Young's Literal Translation
and one hath caused the middle bar in the midst of the boards to reach from end unto end;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards passing through from end to end.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they shall be put along by the midst of the boards from one end to the other.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These shall be set along the middle of the panels, from one end all the way to the other end.

New American Bible
The center bar, at the middle of the frames, shall reach across from end to end.

New Revised Standard Version
The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall pass through from end to end.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And pass the middle bars between the boards from this side to that.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the middle bar in the midst of the boards, which shall pass through from end to end.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And let the bar in the middle between the posts go through from the one side to the other side.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Frames and Sockets
27five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. 28The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other. 29Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:2-5
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, / containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ...

Exodus 25:10-11
And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. / Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

Exodus 36:31-33
He also made five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, / five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. / He made the central crossbar to run through the center of the frames, from one end to the other.

1 Kings 6:16-18
He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. / And the main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. / The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen.

1 Kings 6:31-35
For the entrance to the inner sanctuary, Solomon constructed doors of olive wood with five-sided doorposts. / The double doors were made of olive wood, and he carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold. / In the same way he made four-sided doorposts of olive wood for the sanctuary entrance. ...

2 Chronicles 3:3-7
The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. / The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. / He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains. ...

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

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.”

Exodus 40:18-19
When Moses set up the tabernacle, he laid its bases, positioned its frames, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. / Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Numbers 4:6
They are to place over this a covering of fine leather, spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

1 Kings 7:48-50
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.

2 Chronicles 4:19-22
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...

Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony with them in the wilderness. It was constructed exactly as God had directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Exodus 27:9-19
You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, / with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts. / Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the middle bar in the middle of the boards shall reach from end to end.

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Bar Boards Caused Center Crossbar End Extend Frames Halfway Middle Midst Reach Reaching Rings Rod
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Bar Boards Caused Center Crossbar End Extend Frames Halfway Middle Midst Reach Reaching Rings Rod
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














The central crossbar
The central crossbar is a key structural element in the construction of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This crossbar provided stability and unity to the framework, symbolizing the strength and cohesion required in the community of God's people. In a broader theological sense, it can be seen as a representation of Christ, who is central to the faith and provides unity and stability to the Church.

in the middle of the frames
The frames, or boards, were made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, signifying both the humanity and divinity of Christ. The placement of the crossbar in the middle suggests balance and centrality, emphasizing the importance of Christ being at the center of the believer's life. This central position also reflects the mediating role of Christ, who stands between God and humanity.

shall extend from one end to the other
This phrase indicates the comprehensive reach and support provided by the crossbar, ensuring the entire structure is held together. It can be seen as a type of Christ's all-encompassing work of salvation, which extends to all who believe, from the beginning to the end of time. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament, where Christ is described as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13), signifying His eternal presence and authority.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the Tabernacle from God on Mount Sinai.

2. The Tabernacle
A portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, designed according to divine specifications.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to construct the Tabernacle as a place of worship and meeting with God.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites wandered for 40 years and where the Tabernacle was constructed and used.

5. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle.
Teaching Points
Divine Order and Precision
God's instructions for the Tabernacle, including the central crossbar, highlight His attention to detail and the importance of following His commands precisely.

Unity and Strength
The central crossbar symbolizes unity and strength, holding the structure together. In the body of Christ, unity is essential for spiritual strength and growth.

God's Presence
The Tabernacle was a physical representation of God's presence among His people. Today, believers are called to be aware of God's presence in their lives and to live in a way that honors Him.

Foreshadowing Christ
The Tabernacle and its elements point to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan to dwell with His people. Understanding this connection deepens our appreciation for the Old Testament's relevance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 26:28?

2. How does Exodus 26:28 emphasize the importance of God's detailed instructions?

3. What role does the central crossbar play in the tabernacle's construction?

4. How can we apply the precision in Exodus 26:28 to our spiritual lives?

5. What does the tabernacle's design reveal about God's nature and order?

6. How does Exodus 26:28 connect to the broader narrative of God's covenant?

7. What is the significance of the central crossbar in Exodus 26:28 for the Tabernacle's structure?

8. How does Exodus 26:28 reflect God's attention to detail in worship practices?

9. Why is the central crossbar in Exodus 26:28 important for understanding biblical craftsmanship?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 26?

11. What is the 'sea of glass' in Revelation?

12. What are the characteristics of God?

13. Is there any archaeological or historical evidence for a distinct 'Tent of Meeting' as described in Exodus 33:7-11, given that later passages describe the Tabernacle differently?

14. What does God's immanence mean?
What Does Exodus 26:28 Mean
The central crossbar

Exodus 26:28 introduces “the central crossbar,” a single timber running length-wise through the tabernacle’s wall frames. Other beams were placed near the top and bottom, but only this one was expressly called “central.”

• Its purpose was structural unity. As Exodus 26:15–17 describes, each wall consisted of separate acacia-wood frames; the crossbar bound them together so the tabernacle stood as one whole.

• That quiet, unseen unity points ahead to Christ, who “is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Ephesians 2:20–22 says believers are “being built together into a dwelling place for God,” and the Lord Himself supplies the cohesion.

• Even Moses was reminded, “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5). The crossbar mattered because God’s pattern matters; divine design is never ornamental—it is always intentional.


in the middle of the frames

• The bar was installed “in the middle,” tucked inside the gold-covered boards (Exodus 36:33). Hidden from sight, it carried the weight none could see.

• Likewise, God’s presence dwelt in the midst of Israel, not merely around them (Exodus 25:8; Numbers 2:2). John 1:14 tells us, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us,” placing Christ at the very heart of His people.

• For the church, this speaks to an interior work: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Real strength is internal, where the Spirit quietly secures every believer to the next.

• Practical takeaway: what gives stability to God’s house is not outward show but the Lord’s indwelling presence.


shall extend from one end

• The phrase stresses reach. The crossbar began at one end of the south wall and traveled the full length of the tabernacle—no gaps, no breaks.

• Spiritually, it prefigures the Savior whose love “endures from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 103:17). John 13:1 notes that Jesus “loved them to the very end,” and Hebrews 7:25 says He “is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him.”

• For Israel the crossbar ensured an unbroken line of strength; for us it illustrates the unbroken sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. Nothing in God’s house is left unsupported.


to the other

• The line concludes by underlining completion: the bar reached “to the other” side. Every frame—every tribe—was included.

• God’s redemptive plan is equally comprehensive. Acts 1:8 sends the gospel “to the ends of the earth,” and Revelation 5:9 celebrates people “from every tribe and tongue.”

Romans 11:32 summarizes, “God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.” From one end of humanity to the other, grace spans the distance.

• The crossbar’s full stretch reminds us that no corner of God’s dwelling, and no person who comes to Him, is left out of His mighty support.


summary

Exodus 26:28’s single sentence pictures a sturdy bar running centrally, invisibly, and completely through every frame of the tabernacle. It unified the structure, bore hidden weight, and reached from one side to the other—foreshadowing the Lord who holds His people together, dwells within them, and extends saving strength to all who come.

(28) In the midst of the boards.--Rather, midway in the boards--equi-distant, i.e., from the bottom and the top.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The central
הַתִּיכֹ֖ן (hat·tî·ḵōn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8484: Central

crossbar
וְהַבְּרִ֥יחַ (wə·hab·bə·rî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1280: A bolt

in the middle
בְּת֣וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

of the frames
הַקְּרָשִׁ֑ים (haq·qə·rā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7175: A slab, plank, a deck of a, ship

shall extend
מַבְרִ֕חַ (maḇ·ri·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

one end
הַקָּצֶ֖ה (haq·qā·ṣeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

to the other.
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT Law: Exodus 26:28 The middle bar in the midst (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 26:27
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