Exodus 36:12
Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which was in the coupling of the second: the loops held one curtain to another.
Original Language Analysis
עָשָׂה֙
made
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶחָֽת׃
curtain to another
H259
אֶחָֽת׃
curtain to another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
עָשָׂה֙
made
H6213
עָשָׂה֙
made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בַּמַּחְבֶּ֣רֶת
which was in the coupling
H4225
בַּמַּחְבֶּ֣רֶת
which was in the coupling
Strong's:
H4225
Word #:
12 of 18
a junction, i.e., seam or sewed piece
הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית
of the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית
of the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
Historical Context
The matching loops allowed the two five-curtain sections to align perfectly for joining with clasps. This engineering ensured structural integrity while allowing disassembly—the tabernacle could be taken down and reassembled repeatedly without losing alignment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the perfect correspondence of loops illustrate that true unity comes from following God's design, not forcing conformity?
- What does the careful engineering of joining mechanisms teach about intentional design for both unity and flexibility in God's work?
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Analysis & Commentary
Fifty loops in one curtain matching fifty loops in the other (חֲמִשִּׁים לֻלָאֹת, chamishim lula'ot) 'coupled one to another' demonstrates perfect correspondence—what God has designed to join, He makes compatible. This precise matching illustrates that genuine unity in Christ's body isn't forced conformity but designed compatibility. When God's pattern is followed, components fit together perfectly; discord arises from deviation, not from following God's design.