Exodus 35:11

The Tabernacle, his tent, and his couering, his taches, & his barres, his pillars, and his sockets: Exodus 35:11 (KJV)

Exodus 35:11 records the list of components that formed the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God commanded the Israelites to build for worship during their wilderness journey. The verse occurs in the narrative where Moses recounts God’s detailed instructions, which are laid out in chapters 25 through 30. Those chapters specify the dimensions, materials, and design of the Tabernacle, while chapter 31 records God’s appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab as skilled artisans, filling them with the Spirit of God to oversee the work.

The Tabernacle served as the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God among the people. It consisted of two main sections—the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)—separated by a veil. Designed for mobility, it could be assembled, disassembled, and moved as the Israelites traveled.

The components listed in Exodus 35:11 are:

• The tabernacle: the overall structure that housed the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, made of fine linen curtains.
• His tent: the goat‑hair covering placed over the tabernacle.
• His covering: the outer protective layer of rams’ skins and badgers’ skins.
• His taches: clasps or fastenings that secured the curtains and coverings.
• His boards: acacia‑wood panels that formed the side walls.
• His bars: rods that stabilized the boards.
• His pillars: vertical supports for the veil and curtains.
• His sockets: silver bases that anchored the boards and pillars to the ground.

Each item had a specific functional purpose and, in the biblical narrative, a symbolic meaning that underscored the precision and reverence required in worship. Although the physical Tabernacle is no longer used, the instructions highlight several enduring lessons. They call believers to offer excellence in worship, using the gifts and talents God has given. They also illustrate the value of community collaboration, as the building project required many individuals working together in unity. Many Christian traditions view the Tabernacle as a typological picture of God’s presence among His people, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Mediator between God and humanity.