Exodus 26:22

Sides] RV 'hinder part': the W. end is meant. The tabernacle Isaiah 10 cubits in width, measured from curtain to curtain. As only six frames, amounting to 9 cubits, are required for the end, it would appear that 1 cubit was taken up with the thickness of the side frames with their stiffening bars. The frames were probably 6 in. deep and the bars 3 in.

23, 24. The exact meaning of these vv. is obscure, but they suggest that the two corners of the back wall were strengthened by means of an extra frame in the form of a sloping buttress. In Exodus 26:24 read with RV, 'they shall be double beneath, and in like manner they shall be entire unto the top thereof unto one (or, the first) ring.' The foot of the additional frame would be set back a little, giving the appearance of being 'double beneath,' and the frame would slope in to the top of the upright, where it would be fastened to it.

25 Eight boards] i.e. six upright and two extra for the sloping buttresses.

26-28. In order to give rigidity to the upright frames five bars are run along the three sides of the tabernacle through rings attached to the frames. The middle bar runs from end to end; the others, it is implied, do not (Exodus 26:28).