Exodus 36:16
New International Version
They joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another set.

New Living Translation
Bezalel joined five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and the other six were joined to make a second long curtain.

English Standard Version
He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

Berean Standard Bible
He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another.

King James Bible
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

New King James Version
He coupled five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves.

New American Standard Bible
He joined five curtains by themselves, and the other six curtains by themselves.

NASB 1995
He joined five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves.

NASB 1977
And he joined five curtains by themselves, and the other six curtains by themselves.

Legacy Standard Bible
He joined five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves.

Amplified Bible
Bezalel joined five curtains by themselves and [the other] six curtains by themselves.

Christian Standard Bible
He joined five of the curtains together, and the other six together.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He joined five of the curtains together, and the other six together.

American Standard Version
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

Contemporary English Version
These eleven sections were joined to make two panels, one with five and the other with six sections.

English Revised Version
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Five of the sheets were sewn together into one set, and the remaining six into another set.

Good News Translation
They sewed five of them together in one set and the other six in another set.

International Standard Version
He joined five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

NET Bible
He joined five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves.

New Heart English Bible
He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another.

World English Bible
He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he joins the five curtains apart, and the six curtains apart.

Young's Literal Translation
and he joineth the five curtains apart, and the six curtains apart.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will join five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Five of which he joined apart, and the other six apart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Five of these he joined by themselves, and the other six separately.

New American Bible
Five of these sheets were joined into one set, and the other six sheets into another set.

New Revised Standard Version
He joined five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they joined five curtains as one and six curtains as one.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Curtains for the Tabernacle
15Each of the eleven curtains was the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. 16He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. 17He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set.…

Cross References
Exodus 26:3-6
Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well. / Make loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and do the same for the end curtain in the second set. / Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops line up opposite one another. ...

Exodus 26:7-13
You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. / Each of the eleven curtains is to be the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. / Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent. ...

Exodus 35:11
the tabernacle with its tent and covering, its clasps and frames, its crossbars, posts, and bases;

Exodus 40:19
Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Numbers 4:25
They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

1 Kings 6:9
So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar.

1 Kings 6:15-16
He lined the interior walls with cedar paneling from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and he covered the floor with cypress boards. / 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.

1 Chronicles 17:1
After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

2 Chronicles 3:3-5
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.

Ezekiel 41:1-2
Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side. / The width of the entrance was ten cubits, and the sides of the entrance were five cubits on each side. He also measured the length of the outer sanctuary to be forty cubits, and the width to be twenty cubits.

Ezekiel 41:4
Then he measured the room adjacent to the inner sanctuary to be twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he said to me, “This is the Most Holy Place.”

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 9:2-3
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,

Hebrews 9:11
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.


Treasury of Scripture

And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.

no reference

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Apart Coupled Curtains Five Group Joined Joineth Six Themselves Together
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Apart Coupled Curtains Five Group Joined Joineth Six Themselves Together
Exodus 36
1. The offerings are delivered to the workmen
4. The generosity of the people is restrained
8. The curtains with cherubim
14. The curtains of goats' hair
19. The covering of skins
20. The boards with their sockets
31. The bars
35. The veil
37. The hanging for the door














He joined five of the curtains into one set
In the construction of the Tabernacle, the joining of the curtains signifies unity and completeness. The number five often symbolizes grace in biblical numerology, suggesting that the Tabernacle, as a dwelling place for God, is a manifestation of His grace among His people. The act of joining these curtains reflects the meticulous care and divine order in the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following God's specific instructions. This unity can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the unity of believers in Christ, as the Church is often described as the body of Christ, joined together in faith and purpose.

and the other six into another
The number six is often associated with humanity and imperfection, as man was created on the sixth day. The separation of the curtains into two sets, one of five and one of six, may symbolize the distinction between divine grace and human imperfection. This division could also represent the separation between the holy and the common, a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where God's holiness is set apart from the sinfulness of humanity. The careful construction and division of the Tabernacle's elements highlight the need for order and reverence in worship, pointing to the ultimate reconciliation and perfection found in Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between God and man.

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

2. Bezalel and Oholiab
Skilled craftsmen appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

4. The Curtains
Part of the Tabernacle's structure, made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, symbolizing the beauty and holiness of God's dwelling.

5. The Israelites
The people of God, who contributed materials and labor for the construction of the Tabernacle.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The joining of the curtains into sets symbolizes the unity of God's people, each with unique roles and contributions, working together for a common purpose.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The meticulous following of God's design for the Tabernacle highlights the importance of obedience in our walk with God.

God's Presence Among His People
The Tabernacle represents God's desire to dwell among His people, reminding us of His continual presence in our lives today.

Preparation for Worship
Just as the Tabernacle was prepared for worship, we are called to prepare our hearts and lives as living temples for God's presence.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 36:16?

2. How does Exodus 36:16 demonstrate God's provision for the Israelites' needs?

3. What can we learn about teamwork from the construction process in Exodus 36:16?

4. How does Exodus 36:16 connect to the broader theme of obedience in Exodus?

5. In what ways can we apply the principles of craftsmanship from Exodus 36:16 today?

6. How does the tabernacle's construction in Exodus 36:16 reflect God's order and design?

7. How does Exodus 36:16 reflect the importance of community in achieving God's work?

8. What does the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 36:16 symbolize in Christian theology?

9. How does Exodus 36:16 demonstrate the concept of divine inspiration in craftsmanship?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 36?

11. How did Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt?

12. (Exodus 35) Why do these Sabbath regulations here seem stricter than in some other parts of the Torah, creating possible inconsistencies in biblical commands?

13. Exodus 40:2 - How could Moses effectively assemble such a sophisticated structure in the desert with limited resources?

14. Could Ezekiel 9 be interpreted as a purely symbolic vision rather than a literal event, and if so, why include graphic details?
What Does Exodus 36:16 Mean
He joined

- The craftsman—likely Bezalel and his team (Exodus 36:1)—did not improvise but “did everything the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 36:8).

- Joining pieces shows obedience to God’s exact pattern (Exodus 25:9), underscoring that worship is on God’s terms, not ours (Leviticus 10:1–3; John 4:24).

- Unity is a recurring theme: just as these pieces are joined, God gathers His people into one dwelling place (Ephesians 2:21–22).


five of the curtains

- The first group of five corresponds with the earlier instructions (Exodus 26:3).

- Five often signals human responsibility in Scripture (e.g., the Five Books of Moses), reminding Israel that they must respond to God’s design.

- Each curtain was “made of fine linen, with cherubim skillfully worked” (Exodus 36:8), picturing heaven touching earth (Genesis 28:12; Revelation 4:6–8).


into one set

- By forming one larger unit, the five curtains create a continuous covering—an unbroken testimony of God’s holiness surrounding His people (Psalm 91:4).

- This single set foreshadows the seamless righteousness of Christ, our ultimate covering (Isaiah 61:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

- Practical obedience produced something beautiful and durable, illustrating James 1:22: faith becomes tangible through action.


and the other six

- The additional six curtains fulfill the complete count of eleven (Exodus 26:7), leaving nothing lacking in God’s provision (Psalm 23:1).

- Six, the number of man (Genesis 1:26–31), lies next to five, hinting that divine pattern (five) joins with human need (six) in the tabernacle—later realized when “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14).

- These curtains were goats’ hair, signifying substitutionary sacrifice (Leviticus 16:5–10), anticipating Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).


into another

- Separating the eleven curtains into two distinct sets allowed for orderly assembly and transport (Numbers 4:25–26).

- God’s house is built in stages; likewise, believers grow “line upon line” (Isaiah 28:10) as the Spirit fits us together (1 Peter 2:5).

- The dual sets formed one complete covering when coupled with clasps (Exodus 36:13), illustrating that diversity in God’s people ultimately serves unity (1 Corinthians 12:12–14).


summary

Exodus 36:16 showcases meticulous obedience to God’s blueprint. The joining of five and six curtains into two orderly sets teaches that:

• Worship follows God’s exact instructions.

• Human effort and divine design meet under a seamless covering that points to Christ.

• Unity and diversity coexist in God’s dwelling, foreshadowing the Church “fitly framed together” (Ephesians 2:21 KJV).

Every stitch in these curtains whispers the larger story—God preparing a place to live among His people and, ultimately, in their hearts (Revelation 21:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He joined
וַיְחַבֵּ֛ר (way·ḥab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2266: To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm

five
חֲמֵ֥שׁ (ḥă·mêš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

of the curtains together,
הַיְרִיעֹ֖ת (hay·rî·‘ōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3407: A hanging

and the other
הַיְרִיעֹ֖ת (hay·rî·‘ōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3407: A hanging

six together.
שֵׁ֥שׁ (šêš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)


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OT Law: Exodus 36:16 He coupled five curtains by themselves (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 36:15
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