Exodus 26:16

Authorized King James Version

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Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board.

Original Language Analysis

עֶ֥שֶׂר Ten H6235
עֶ֥שֶׂר Ten
Strong's: H6235
Word #: 1 of 10
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit H520
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit
Strong's: H520
Word #: 2 of 10
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
אֹ֣רֶךְ shall be the length H753
אֹ֣רֶךְ shall be the length
Strong's: H753
Word #: 3 of 10
length
הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ board H7175
הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ board
Strong's: H7175
Word #: 4 of 10
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit H520
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit
Strong's: H520
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
וַֽחֲצִ֣י and a half H2677
וַֽחֲצִ֣י and a half
Strong's: H2677
Word #: 6 of 10
the half or middle
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit H520
הָֽאַמָּ֔ה and a cubit
Strong's: H520
Word #: 7 of 10
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
רֹ֖חַב shall be the breadth H7341
רֹ֖חַב shall be the breadth
Strong's: H7341
Word #: 8 of 10
width (literally or figuratively)
הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ board H7175
הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ board
Strong's: H7175
Word #: 9 of 10
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃ of one H259
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃ of one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

Analysis & Commentary

Each board measures 10 cubits × 1.5 cubits (approximately 15' × 27'). The height (10) suggests completeness; the width enables the boards to stand together forming walls. These uniform dimensions ensure all boards fit together perfectly—no board too short or too tall. In Christ's body, each member is perfectly sized and placed for their function (1 Corinthians 12:18). God doesn't create misfits; apparent differences serve divine design.

Historical Context

The ten-cubit height meant the boards reached from ground to the tabernacle's roof structure. The 1.5-cubit width allowed twenty boards on each side and six (possibly eight with corner pieces) on the west end, creating a 30 × 10 cubit interior.

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