Exodus 36:13
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Exodus 36:13
13 And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.
Chapter Context
Exodus 36 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, holiness, wisdom. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-38: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 36:13
13 And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.
Analysis
Fifty clasps of gold (קַרְסֵי זָהָב, karsei zahav) join the curtain sections, making the tabernacle 'one' (אֶחָד, echad)—the same word used of God's unity (Deuteronomy 6:4, 'Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD'). Gold represents divinity; only divine intervention creates genuine oneness. Jesus prayed that His disciples would be 'one' as He and the Father are one (John 17:21)—supernatural unity reflecting Trinitarian unity, accomplished through Christ's divine work, not human effort.
Historical Context
The fifty gold clasps were likely small hooks or toggles that fastened through the loops, pulling the two curtain sections together into one cohesive ceiling. Gold, the most precious metal, demonstrates the value God places on unity in His dwelling.
Reflection
- What is the significance of using gold (divine) clasps to make the tabernacle 'one'?
- How does the tabernacle's oneness through divine means prefigure Jesus' prayer for believers' supernatural unity?