“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The fact that these outer curtains are made of goats' hair, a rougher, more common material, highlights how the glorious reality of God's presence was often concealed beneath an outward appearance of humility and even reproach. It speaks to the surprising way God chooses to reveal Himself, not always in dazzling splendor, but sometimes in ways that require faith to look beyond the ordinary.
“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After detailing the inner layers of fine linen curtains, God instructs Moses to create a second, more rugged covering from goats' hair. These eleven curtains are to form a protective tent over the elaborate inner structure, shielding it from the elements and giving the entire dwelling a plainer, outward appearance. This goats' hair layer, a more durable material common for tents, was meant to be the outermost visible part of the tabernacle.
Beneath the shimmering beauty of fine linen lay a rugged outer layer. What's the significance of this 'goats' hair' covering?
The tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people, was layered with different materials, each carrying symbolic meaning. The inner curtains, described in the previous verse, were made of fine linen, intricately embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet figures of cherubim. This represented the glorious, perfect presence of God.
But over this inner beauty, a second layer was added: curtains of goats' hair. These were coarser, more utilitarian, and meant to serve as a protective outer covering, much like the tents of desert nomads.
This goats' hair covering speaks volumes about how God chose to reveal Himself. While His presence is glorious and holy, it was also, in the person of Jesus Christ and in His church, to be seen in humble, even outwardly rough, circumstances. It points to the Messiah who, though divine, would come in lowly fashion, enduring hardship and reproach, yet holding immense spiritual richness within.
Why 'eleven' curtains, and not a neat, even number like ten?
The number of these outer curtains is specific: eleven. This is one more than the ten inner curtains made of fine linen. This extra curtain wasn't just a detail; it served a practical purpose and carried symbolic weight.
Practically, the eleven curtains were joined to form a larger, more robust covering. One of these curtains was likely folded or draped in the front, providing extra protection and perhaps forming an entrance area, as the inner linen curtains didn't extend to the very front in the same way.
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Symbolically, the number eleven often represents a departure from perfection (ten) and an entering into something more, or a state of imperfection that requires full coverage. It suggests a covering that is complete, ensuring no part of the sacred inner dwelling is exposed to the harshness of the elements or the scrutiny of the outside world. This points to the thoroughness of God's protection and provision for His presence among us.
This verse describes the dark, yet beautiful, appearance of the bride, echoing the outer covering of the Tabernacle made of goats' hair which, though coarse, protected the inner splendor and symbolized a humble outward appearance.
Hebrews 9:11-12The Tabernacle, with its layers of coverings, points to Christ. Just as the goats' hair curtains concealed the inner glory, Christ's humble human form concealed His divine glory, a reality fulfilled in His atoning work.
2 Corinthians 3:13-14The 'veil' mentioned in this passage, which obscured the Law of Moses, finds a parallel in the outer coverings of the Tabernacle. The goats' hair curtains speak of a covering that hides, much like the spiritual veil that needed to be removed for Israel to see Christ.
Isaiah 53:2This prophecy describes the suffering Servant as having 'no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.' This outward lack of attractiveness mirrors the goats' hair curtains, representing Christ's humble human appearance that hid His divine glory.
gillExodus 26:7: "And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make."
And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair,.... Jarchi calls it the flower or down of goats, the softer and finer part of their hair, which was spun by women, as appears from Exodus 35:26 , and was made up into a stuff somewhat like our camelot; these curtains were coarser than the former, and were made to be put over them, to preserve them from the weather, as it f…
clarkeExodus 26:7: "And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make."
Curtains of goats' hair - Stuff made of goats' hair. See Clarke's note on Exodus 25:4 . This was the second covering.
The fact that these outer curtains are made of goats' hair, a rougher, more common material, highlights how the glorious reality of God's presence was often concealed beneath an outward appearance of humility and even reproach. It speaks to the surprising way God chooses to reveal Himself, not always in dazzling splendor, but sometimes in ways that require faith to look beyond the ordinary.
After detailing the inner layers of fine linen curtains, God instructs Moses to create a second, more rugged covering from goats' hair. These eleven curtains are to form a protective tent over the elaborate inner structure, shielding it from the elements and giving the entire dwelling a plainer, outward appearance. This goats' hair layer, a more durable material common for tents, was meant to be the outermost visible part of the tabernacle.
After detailing the inner layers of fine linen curtains, God instructs Moses to create a second, more rugged covering from goats' hair. These eleven curtains are to form a protective tent over the elaborate inner structure, shielding it from the elements and giving the entire dwelling a plainer, outward appearance. This goats' hair layer, a more durable material common for tents, was meant to be the outermost visible part of the tabernacle.
"“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make." — The fact that these outer curtains are made of goats' hair, a rougher, more common material, highlights how the glorious reality of God's presence was often concealed beneath an outward appearance of…
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Last reviewed October 2026