The Church Fathers on this verse

Exodus 26:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And that which shall remain of the curtains, that are prepared for the roof, to wit, one curtain that is over and above, with the half thereof thou shalt cover the back parts of the tabernacle.

Douay-Rheims

וְסֶ֙רַח֙ הָעֹדֵ֔ף בִּירִיעֹ֖ת הָאֹ֑הֶל חֲצִ֤י הַיְרִיעָה֙ הָעֹדֶ֔פֶת תִּסְרַ֕ח עַ֖ל אֲחֹרֵ֥י הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

The goat of the wilderness predominantly provides black fleece today. It remains uncertain what type of material was utilized for the curtains that constituted the main section of the Tabernacle, which were likely stretched over stakes using ropes, as previously mentioned. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that some scholars, like Dom Calmet, suggest that the Tabernacle’s tents were made from fabric, presumably also stretched over the supports by ropes. Additionally, it has been proposed that the coverings were merely laid over the upper structure of the Tabernacle, resembling a box, yet this notion contradicts both the nomadic lifestyle that had long recognized the tent as an ideal shelter in arid regions, and the aesthetic qualities evident in the Tabernacle's description.

Read more (71 words)

Moreover, it disregards the necessity for ventilation, as the lamps would not function properly if hidden beneath three thick coverings instead of a lofty tent top. Importantly, instead of having ten inner curtains, there are eleven curtains fashioned from goat's hair, presumably to conceal the tent's rear in the Holy of Holies. In this structure, the goat's hair fabric extends two cubits longer than the luxurious material, equating to three feet.