What is the meaning of Exodus 36:21? Each frame “Each frame…” (Exodus 36:21a) • The word “each” highlights that every single board mattered, none were optional. God’s dwelling was built from many identical pieces, underscoring order and unity (Exodus 36:22; 1 Corinthians 14:40). • The frames were made of acacia wood—durable and resistant—reminding us that believers, too, are called to steadfastness (Exodus 26:15; 1 Peter 2:5). • Standing side-by-side, the boards formed one sanctuary, picturing how individual believers are joined into “a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:16). was ten cubits long “…was ten cubits long…” (Exodus 36:21b) • A cubit is roughly eighteen inches, so each board stood about fifteen feet high—tall enough to create a spacious holy place (1 Kings 6:2). • The precise height shows God values exact obedience; Moses “made everything just as the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 39:32; Hebrews 8:5). • Ten frequently signals completeness in Scripture (the ten commandments, Exodus 20:1-17), pointing to the sufficiency of God’s provision in the tabernacle which foreshadows Christ’s finished work (John 19:30; Colossians 2:17). • The upward dimension reminds us of worship that reaches toward heaven (Psalm 121:1-2; Ephesians 3:17-19). and a cubit and a half wide “…and a cubit and a half wide.” (Exodus 36:21c) • Each board’s width—about twenty-seven inches—ensured the wall sections fit together tightly, leaving no gaps (Exodus 36:24-25). • Though comparatively narrow, the boards were strengthened by crossbars of gold-overlaid acacia running through them (Exodus 36:33-34), symbolizing the unifying work of the Spirit who binds believers into one body (Ephesians 4:3-4). • The individual width kept every frame manageable for transport, illustrating how God’s commands are exact yet never burdensome (1 John 5:3; Matthew 11:30). • When set side-by-side, the boards formed a perfectly measured dwelling where God met His people, foreshadowing the church’s calling to be “built together for God’s habitation” (Ephesians 2:22; John 17:21). summary Exodus 36:21 records literal measurements for each tabernacle frame: about fifteen feet high and a little over two feet wide. Every identical board contributed to a unified, sturdy sanctuary, revealing God’s concern for precision, order, and shared purpose. Physically, the verse shows how Israel obeyed the exact pattern; spiritually, it pictures believers—individual yet joined—forming God’s dwelling place on earth. |