Timber Acquisition for Tabernacle Construction in Exodus
The construction of the Tabernacle, as detailed in the book of Exodus, required specific materials, prominently featuring acacia wood for its structural components [3, 4]. This wood, referred to as "shittim wood" in some translations, was used for the boards that formed the walls of the Tabernacle, as well as for the bars that held these boards together [1, 2, 3, 4].
The instructions for the Tabernacle's construction specify that the boards were to be made of acacia wood, standing upright [3, 4]. These boards were approximately 15 feet high and 27 inches wide, forming a three-sided rectangular framework [9]. Horizontal crossbars, also made of acacia wood, were used to lock these frames together [1, 2, 9]. One such central bar was notably long, measuring thirty-two cubits [6]. The use of acacia wood was not limited to the main structure; it was also employed for the altar of burnt offering [12].
The choice of acacia wood ( Acacia Nilotica) is significant. This tree was abundant in the region where the Israelites were located [14]. The Israelites, having been skilled laborers in Egypt, likely possessed the necessary tools and expertise for working with timber, including sawing and joining [14]. The process involved not only cutting the timber but also carving it [8]. After the wooden components were fashioned, they were overlaid with gold [9].
The procurement of such a large quantity of specific timber raises questions about its origin. One rabbinic tradition, found in the Midrash Rabbah, suggests that the wood for the Tabernacle's central bar, and by extension other components, might have come from cedars planted by Abraham in Beersheba [6]. This tradition posits that Jacob, Abraham's grandson, traveled to Beersheba specifically to cut down these cedars, anticipating their future use in the Tabernacle [6]. This interpretation highlights a belief in divine foresight and preparation for the sacred structure long before its actual construction.
The Tabernacle itself was a movable sanctuary, designed as a residence for God among the Israelites [5, 11]. Its construction was a meticulous process, with detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai [5, 11]. The entire project, from the initial command to the final rearing of the Tabernacle, is estimated to have taken about six months [10]. The materials, including the acacia wood, were brought to Moses, and the completed Tabernacle was then assembled [13]. The boards, once erected, were understood to support the tent and its coverings, with the entire structure being carried above the ground [7]. The careful selection and preparation of materials like acacia wood underscore the sacredness and symbolic importance of the Tabernacle in Israelite worship.
Sources
- Exodus “He made bars of acacia wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, -- Exodus 36:31”
- Exodus “Exodus 26:26 (Geneva1599) — The thou shalt make fiue barres of Shittim wood for the boardes of one side of the Tabernacle,”
- Exodus ““You shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. -- Exodus 26:15”
- Exodus “He made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. -- Exodus 36:20”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Tabernacle — The tabernacle was the tent of Jehovah, called by the same name as the tents of the people in the midst of which it stood. It was also called the sanctuary and the tabernacle of the congregation. The first ordinance given to Moses, after the proclamation of the outline of the law from Sinai, related to the ordering of the tabernacle, its furniture and its service as the type which was to be followed when the people came to their own home and "found a place" for the abode of God. During the forty days of Moses' first retirement with God in Sinai, an exact ”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 94:4: “Israel, and everything that he had, traveled and came to Beersheba, and he slaughtered feast-offerings to the God of his father Isaac” (Genesis 46:1). “Israel, and everything that he had, traveled and came to Beersheba” – where did he go? Rav Naḥman said: He went to cut down the cedars that his grandfather Abraham had planted in Beersheba, just as it says: “He planted…[in Beersheba]” (Genesis 21:33). It is written: “And the central bar inside the boards” (Exodus 26:28). Rabbi Levi said: The central bar was thirty-two cubits long. Where did they find it a”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 92a.7: The Gemara asks: And from where do we derive that the Tabernacle itself was carried above ten handbreadths? The Gemara answers: As it is written: “And you shall make the boards for the Tabernacle out of acacia wood standing upright, the length of a board shall be ten cubits” (Exodus 26:15–16). And it is written with regard to the construction of the Tabernacle: “And he spread the tent over the Tabernacle, and he placed the cover for the tent on top of it as God commanded Moses” (Exodus 40:19). And Rav said: Moses, our teacher, spread it himself. From here you ”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 31:5: And in cutting of stones to set them,.... Not of marble stones, or of any common stones used in building, and the cutting and hewing of them to be laid therein, for of those there was no use in the tabernacle; but of precious stones, and the cutting of them, and setting of them in their ouches or enclosures, as the onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest, and the twelve precious stones in his breastplate: Bezaleel was taught by the Spirit of God the art of jewelling, and instructed others in it: and in carving of timber; or rather, "in cutting timber" (o); f”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 26:1: 26:1-37 The Tabernacle proper (as distinct from the surrounding courtyard) was not very large. It was approximately 15 feet wide and 45 feet long. The supporting framework consisted of 48 vertical frames, 15 feet high and 27 inches wide (26:16). They were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold (26:15, 29). The frames were locked together with horizontal crossbars to form a three-sided rectangle with an open end (26:26-28). Two large linen curtains (each composed of five smaller ones) were then linked together into one and draped across the top of this framework. T”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 40 (introduction): THE TABERNACLE REARED AND ANOINTED. (Exo. 40:1-38) On the first day of the first month--From a careful consideration of the incidents recorded to have happened after the exodus (Exo 12:2; Exo 13:4; Exo 19:1; Exo 20:18; Exo 34:28, &c.), it has been computed that the work of the tabernacle was commenced within six months after that emigration; and consequently, that other six months had been occupied in building it. So long a period spent in preparing the materials of a movable pavilion, it would be difficult to understand, were it not for ”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 25:1: 25:1–40:38 Unlike our churches, the Tabernacle functioned primarily as a residence or palace of God, the divine king, rather than as a place for people to congregate. In this respect, churches are more like the later Jewish synagogues (see also study note on 40:2). This last section of Exodus completes the revelation of God necessary for the people of Israel to come out of the theological darkness that had held them in bondage. This final section includes instructions for building the Tabernacle (chs 25–31), the story of the gold calf (a wrong attempt to secure Go”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 38 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 38 This chapter is a continuation of the account of the making of the things belonging to the tabernacle, particularly the altar of burnt offering, Exo 38:1 the laver of brass, and the things it was made of, Exo 38:8 the court and its hangings, pillars, sockets, hooks and pins, Exo 38:9 then follows an account of the quantities of gold, silver, and brass, expended in the making of the several things appertaining to the sanctuary, Exo 38:21.”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Shemot Rabbah 52:1: “They brought the Tabernacle to Moses: The Tent and all its vessels, its hooks, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets” (Exodus 39:33). “They brought the Tabernacle to Moses.” Rabbi Tanḥuma bar Abba began: “In embroidery she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her, brought to you” (Psalms 45:15). What is “in embroidery”? This is the Tabernacle that is embroidered, as it is written: “And an embroiderer in sky blue wool” (Exodus 38:23). That is “in embroidery.” What is “she is led to the king”? This is Moses, who was called king, as it”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 26:15: Thou shalt make boards - These formed what might be called the walls of the tabernacle, and were made of shittim wood, the acacia Nilotica, which Dr. Shaw says grows here in abundance. To have worked the acacia into these boards or planks, the Israelites must have had sawyers, joiners, etc., among them; but how they got the tools is a question. But as the Israelites were the general workmen of Egypt, and were brought up to every kind of trade for the service of their oppressors, we may naturally suppose that every artificer brought off some of his tools with him. F”