The instructions for the Tabernacle curtains are detailed in the Book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 26 and 36. These curtains were a crucial component of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that the Israelites used during their wilderness wanderings. The curtains served both functional and symbolic purposes, delineating sacred space and representing the divine order and beauty.

Materials and Design

The primary materials specified for the Tabernacle curtains were fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns. Exodus 26:1 states, "You are to construct the Tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them." The use of these colors and materials was significant, as they were associated with royalty, divinity, and purity.

The curtains were to be crafted with cherubim, angelic figures, woven into the fabric. This design element underscored the holiness of the space, as cherubim are often depicted as guardians of sacred places in biblical literature.

Dimensions and Construction

The dimensions of the curtains were meticulously prescribed. Each curtain was to be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide (Exodus 26:2). The ten curtains were to be joined together in sets of five, creating two large panels. These panels were then connected with fifty loops of blue material along the edge of each set, and fifty gold clasps were used to join the loops, forming a single Tabernacle covering (Exodus 26:3-6).

Purpose and Symbolism

The curtains served multiple purposes. Practically, they formed the walls and roof of the Tabernacle, providing a barrier between the sacred space and the outside world. Symbolically, the curtains represented the separation between God and humanity, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The intricate design and the presence of cherubim emphasized the holiness and otherness of God.

The use of gold clasps to join the curtains together further highlighted the preciousness and sanctity of the Tabernacle. Gold, a symbol of purity and divinity, reinforced the idea that the Tabernacle was a dwelling place for God among His people.

Inner and Outer Curtains

In addition to the inner curtains, there were also instructions for outer coverings. The first outer covering was made of goat hair, consisting of eleven curtains, each thirty cubits long and four cubits wide (Exodus 26:7-8). These were joined in a similar manner to the inner curtains, with bronze clasps instead of gold, indicating a lesser degree of sanctity.

Beyond the goat hair covering, there were additional layers made of ram skins dyed red and another of durable leather (Exodus 26:14). These layers provided protection from the elements and added to the overall durability of the structure.

Craftsmanship

The craftsmanship of the Tabernacle curtains was entrusted to skilled artisans, particularly Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-6). Their work was not merely a technical task but a divinely inspired act of worship, reflecting the glory and majesty of God.

The instructions for the Tabernacle curtains highlight the importance of obedience to divine commands and the reverence due to God’s dwelling place. Through these detailed prescriptions, the Israelites were reminded of God's holiness and His desire to dwell among His people, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of redemption throughout Scripture.