The Frames and Bases

Acacia frames are made with fixed dimensions and tenons, then distributed along the south, north, and west sides with matching silver bases. Even the back corners are specially fitted into the whole.

Y¹⁵ou are to construct upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. ¹⁶Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. ¹⁷Two tenons must be connected to each other for each frame. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. ¹⁸Construct twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle, ¹⁹with forty silver bases under the twenty frames — two bases for each frame, one under each tenon. ²⁰For the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, make twenty frames ²¹and forty silver bases — two bases under each frame. ²²Make six frames for the rear of the tabernacle, the west side, ²³and two frames for the two back corners of the tabernacle, ²⁴coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring. These will serve as the two corners. ²⁵So there are to be eight frames and sixteen silver bases — two under each frame.

Crossbars run along the framed sides, with a central bar spanning the length, while frames and bars are overlaid with gold. The whole tabernacle is then set up according to the mountain pattern.

²⁶You are also to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷five for those on the other side, and five for those on the rear side of the tabernacle, to the west. ²⁸The central crossbar in the middle of the frames shall extend from one end to the other. ²⁹Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold. ³⁰So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.