What Does Exodus 26:22 Mean in the King James?

And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards.

Exodus 26:22 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The tabernacle’s westward side is literally its rear, and the verse gives that far edge a precise place in the dwelling.

THE MEANING

The dwelling has a rear edge formed by six boards, facing seaward. The Hebrew word translated “sides” can name the rear parts, so even the far edge belongs to the structure’s complete form.

THE ROOT

הַמִּשְׁכָּן

hamishkan

GROWS FROM

שׁכן

sh-k-n

to dwell, settle, remain

“tabernacle” in this verse is hamishkan. The Hebrew name for the structure grows from the verb for dwelling, so it names a place by what happens there. The six boards at its rear belong to that dwelling, just as surely as its other parts do.

ALSO GROWS

shakan: to dwell, settle, remain

שָׁכַן

The verb names the action carried in the tabernacle’s name.

shakhen: neighbor, one who dwells nearby

שָׁכֵן

The same root can name a dweller in relation to others, echoing the promise that God will dwell among them.

יַרְכְּתֵי

yarketei

GROWS FROM

ירך

y-r-kh

thigh, flank

The Hebrew word translated “sides” can mean the rear parts of the dwelling. Its root also names the thigh or flank, giving the structure’s back edge the sense of a defined side rather than an undefined remainder.

ALSO GROWS

yarekh: thigh, flank

יָרֵךְ

This is the root’s bodily sense, which also supplies the image of a side or flank.

yarkah: side, rear, or recess

יַרְכָּה

This related form shows how the word can identify the dwelling’s far or rear section.

THE PATTERN

A dwelling takes its complete shape as each part is given its place.

And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

Exodus 26:18 · KJVThe boards define another side of the dwelling, giving that edge a measured place in its structure.

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

Isaiah 54:2 · KJVThe tent’s place takes shape through its curtains, cords, and stakes.

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5 · KJVThe house becomes a whole as its living stones are built together.

THE THREAD

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8 · KJV

The tabernacle, ⁨מִשְׁכָּן⁩ (mishkan, dwelling), and the verb ⁨שָׁכַן⁩ (shakan, to dwell) share the root ⁨שׁכן⁩ (sh-k-n). The boards described here give form to the place named for dwelling among people.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us