Long strips of linen sewn together to form larger pieces used as coverings.
About Linen Strips
Ten broad cloth strips were joined together to form a large kind of tent-cloth or tarp that was draped over the top, sides, and back of the Tabernacle. The size of the individual cloth strips is given in the Exodus references above. They were made of linen (see Linen) and were decorated with figures of cherubim (see Winged creatures, cherubim). Five such pieces were sewn together, forming one large cloth. The two cloths formed in this way were then joined to each other in the middle by a system of hooks and eyes (or, clasps and loops), making the whole into one large cloth.
Key References
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size.
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size.
All Scripture References (28)
Exodus (22)
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide—all curtains the same size.
Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well.
Make loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and do the same for the end curtain in the second set.
Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops line up opposite one another.
Make fifty gold clasps as well, and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle will be a unit.
You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all.
Each of the eleven curtains is to be the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.
Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent.
Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set.
As for the overlap that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over shall hang down over the back of the tabernacle.
And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.
All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.
Each curtain was twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide; all the curtains were the same size.
And he joined five of the curtains together, and the other five he joined as well.
He made loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and also on the end curtain in the second set.
He made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops lined up opposite one another.
He also made fifty gold clasps to join the curtains together, so that the tabernacle was a unit.
He then made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all.
Each of the eleven curtains was the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.
He joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another.
He made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set.
Numbers (1)
They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,
Psalms (1)
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
Song of Solomon (1)
I am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
Isaiah (1)
“Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back. Lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes in deep.
Jeremiah (2)
My tent is destroyed, and all its ropes are snapped. My sons have departed from me and are no more. I have no one left to pitch my tent or set up my curtains.
They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’