And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The extra length of the goat-hair curtains (the "tent" covering) wasn't just for neatness; it purposefully hung down a cubit on each side, acting like a valance to completely hide the ornate golden boards of the inner tabernacle structure. This detail emphasizes a deliberate layering of the sacred, with a plainer, protective exterior concealing a richer, more intricate interior, perhaps symbolizing how Christ's humanity (the outer covering) concealed His divine glory (the inner richness).
And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The focus is on constructing the outer coverings of the Tabernacle, specifically the curtains made of goats' hair. These curtains are designed to be longer than the inner linen curtains, with an extra cubit on each side that hangs down to completely cover and protect the more ornate inner structure. This layering emphasizes both beauty and protection, with coarser materials concealing and safeguarding the finer, more precious elements within.
Did you notice that some curtains were deliberately made longer than others in the Tabernacle's construction? This wasn't a mistake, but a crucial design element.
The Tabernacle was built with layers of coverings, and Exodus 26:13 describes a specific detail of the outer goat hair curtains. These were made a cubit longer on each side than the inner tapestry curtains. This 'extra' fabric wasn't just leftover material; it was designed to hang down over the sides.
Purpose of the Overhang:
The stunning inner beauty of the Tabernacle was largely hidden from view. What does this reveal about God's presence and how we approach Him?
While the inner curtains were intricately woven with fine linen and embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 26:1), this magnificent artistry was concealed by the rougher outer layers of goat hair, rams' skins, and badger skins. Our verse highlights the goat hair curtains hanging down, hiding the 'golden boards' and the rich inner tapestry.
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Significance of Hidden Beauty:
This passage describes the lower part of the altar that hangs down, much like the extra material of the curtains in Exodus that hangs over the sides to cover the structure.
John 1:14The Word becoming flesh to 'dwell among us' parallels the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, being covered and protected, suggesting God's hidden presence within a humble exterior.
1 Corinthians 3:16This verse states that believers are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in them. This connects to the Tabernacle as God's dwelling, with its coverings symbolizing the protection and sacredness of where God resides, even when that dwelling is within His people.
Revelation 21:3The New Jerusalem coming down from God, with God dwelling with His people, echoes the Tabernacle's purpose as God's dwelling place among Israel. The coverings of the Tabernacle can be seen as a foreshadowing of the complete and perfect covering of God's presence in the new creation.
calvinExodus 26:1-37: "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."
And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Facies quoque, laqueolos hya cinthinos in ora cortinae unius in extremo in conjunetione: et sic facies…
cambridgeExodus 26:13: "And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it."
13 . On the two sides of the Dwelling, the curtain of goats’ hair being 30 cubits broad, while the inner tapestry curtain was 28 cubits broad, the former would of course reach a cubit lower than the latter, and touch the ground.
The extra length of the goat-hair curtains (the "tent" covering) wasn't just for neatness; it purposefully hung down a cubit on each side, acting like a valance to completely hide the ornate golden boards of the inner tabernacle structure. This detail emphasizes a deliberate layering of the sacred, with a plainer, protective exterior concealing a richer, more intricate interior, perhaps symbolizing how Christ's humanity (the outer covering) concealed His divine glory (the inner richness).
The focus is on constructing the outer coverings of the Tabernacle, specifically the curtains made of goats' hair. These curtains are designed to be longer than the inner linen curtains, with an extra cubit on each side that hangs down to completely cover and protect the more ornate inner structure. This layering emphasizes both beauty and protection, with coarser materials concealing and safeguarding the finer, more precious elements within.
The focus is on constructing the outer coverings of the Tabernacle, specifically the curtains made of goats' hair. These curtains are designed to be longer than the inner linen curtains, with an extra cubit on each side that hangs down to completely cover and protect the more ornate inner structure. This layering emphasizes both beauty and protection, with coarser materials concealing and safeguarding the finer, more precious elements within.
"And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it." — The extra length of the goat-hair curtains (the "tent" covering) wasn't just for neatness; it purposefully hung down a cubit on each side, acting like a valance to completely hide the ornate golden b…
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Last reviewed October 2026