Lexical Summary yeriah: Curtain, Covering Original Word: יְרִיעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance curtain From yara'; a hanging (as tremulous) -- curtain. see HEBREW yara' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yara Definition curtain NASB Translation curtain (23), curtains (28), tent curtains (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְרִיעָה54 noun feminine curtain (ᵑ7 יְרִיעֲתָא, Syriac  ) — absolute יְרִיעָה Exodus 26:2 24t.; plural absolute יְרִיעֹת Exodus 26:1 17t.; יְרִיעוֺת 1 Chronicles 17:1; construct יְרִיעֹת Exodus 26:7 4t.; יְרִיעוֺת Habakkuk 3:7 2t.; suffix יְרִיעֹתָ֑י Jeremiah 4:20; Jeremiah 10:20; יְרִיעוֺתֵיהֶם Jeremiah 49:29; — curtain, of tabernacle Exodus 26:1,2(3 t. in verse); Exodus 26:8 (twice in verse) + 38 t. Exodus 26 and 36; Numbers 4:25 (all P); 2 Samuel 7:2 = 1 Chronicles 17:1; — in General (tent-) curtains Jeremiah 4:20; Jeremiah 10:20; Jeremiah 49:29; Habakkuk 3:7; Songs 1:5 (in all "" אֹהֶל); יְרִיעֹתיַ֗֗֗טוּ Isaiah 54:2 ("" הַרְחִיבִי מְקוֺם אָהֳלֵךְ), figurative of Jerusalem's prosperity; in simile נוֺטֶה שָׁמַיִם כַּיְרִיעָה Psalm 104:2. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of the Term יְרִיעָה (yeriah) designates a length of fabric large enough to function as a curtain, panel, or hangings. In Scripture it most often describes the rectangular cloths that formed the coverings and veil systems of the Tabernacle, but the word can also refer to domestic tent-cloths and royal draperies. Its basic sense is “spread-out cloth,” emphasizing both breadth and flexibility. Frequency and Distribution in Scripture Approximately fifty-four occurrences appear in thirty-nine verses. The highest concentration is in Exodus 26 and 36, where the construction of the wilderness Tabernacle is detailed. Additional appearances occur in Numbers 4 and 2 Samuel 7, with scattered poetic and prophetic uses (for example, Song of Solomon 1:5). The term is thus anchored in the Pentateuch but remains part of Israel’s vocabulary for portable or symbolic dwellings throughout her history. Material Composition and Craftsmanship Exodus specifies two primary sets of טְרִיעוֹת. The inner set, woven of fine twisted linen with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, bore cherubim worked by skilled artisans (Exodus 26:1). The outer set was spun from goat hair (Exodus 26:7), providing weather protection. Measurements (twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide per panel, Exodus 26:2) ensured modularity. Clasps of gold and loops of blue yarn joined the inner curtains, while bronze clasps joined the outer, maintaining the hierarchy of holiness: precious metals nearer the Presence, common metals outward. Liturgical and Sacred Use 1. Coverings of the Tabernacle: The לְחָנוֹת (cherubim curtains) formed the tent itself, creating the sanctified space where the Ark of the Testimony resided. Domestic and Military Applications Curtains also describe ordinary tents. Balaam beheld Israel’s encampment and exclaimed, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!” (Numbers 24:5). The same vocabulary links the people’s everyday life with the sanctuary’s splendor, portraying covenant community as an extension of holy space. Prophetically, Isaiah 54:2 exhorts, “Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings,” using the metaphor of expanding fabric to announce post-exilic growth. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Divine Presence in Transience: Portable curtains declare that God dwelt with His people even during pilgrimage. Holiness was not confined to stone but accompanied them in motion. New Testament Echoes and Typological Import John 1:14 states, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” The incarnate Christ fulfills what the curtains symbolized: Immanuel dwelling not merely behind fabric but in human form. At the crucifixion, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). While the Greek term is καταπέτασμα, the Hebrew reader would recall the יְרִיעָה system that defined approach to God. The rending signifies that the substance has displaced the shadow; access to the Father is now immediate through the Son. Lessons for Ministry Today • Excellence in craftsmanship for God’s house honors His beauty; the meticulous detail of the curtains models reverent service. Forms and Transliterations בִּירִיעֹ֖ת בַּיְרִיעָ֣ה ביריעה ביריעת הַיְרִיעָ֔ה הַיְרִיעָ֖ה הַיְרִיעָ֣ה הַיְרִיעָֽה׃ הַיְרִיעָה֙ הַיְרִיעֹ֔ת הַיְרִיעֹ֖ת הַיְרִיעֹ֗ת הַיְרִיעֹ֜ת הַיְרִיעֹֽת׃ הַיְרִיעֹת֙ הַיְרִעֹ֜ת היריעה היריעה׃ היריעת היריעת׃ הירעת וִירִיע֧וֹת ויריעות יְרִיע֖וֹת יְרִיעֹ֑ת יְרִיעֹ֖ת יְרִיעֹ֣ת יְרִיעֹ֤ת יְרִיעֹֽת׃ יְרִיעֹת֙ יְרִיעֹתָֽי׃ יְרִיעֽוֹת׃ יְרִיעוֹתֵיהֶ֧ם יְרִיעוֹתָֽי׃ יריעות יריעות׃ יריעותי׃ יריעותיהם יריעת יריעת׃ יריעתי׃ כִּירִיע֖וֹת כַּיְרִיעָֽה׃ כיריעה׃ כיריעות bay·rî·‘āh bayrî‘āh bayriAh bî·rî·‘ōṯ bîrî‘ōṯ biriOt hay·rî·‘āh hay·ri·‘ōṯ hay·rî·‘ōṯ hayrî‘āh hayri‘ōṯ hayrî‘ōṯ hayriAh hayriOt kay·rî·‘āh kayrî‘āh kayriAh kî·rî·‘ō·wṯ kîrî‘ōwṯ kiriot viriot wî·rî·‘ō·wṯ wîrî‘ōwṯ yə·rî·‘ō·ṯāy yə·rî·‘ō·w·ṯāy yə·rî·‘ō·w·ṯê·hem yə·rî·‘ō·wṯ yə·rî·‘ōṯ yərî‘ōṯ yərî‘ōṯāy yərî‘ōwṯ yərî‘ōwṯāy yərî‘ōwṯêhem yeriOt yerioTai yerioteiHemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 26:1 HEB: תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה עֶ֣שֶׂר יְרִיעֹ֑ת שֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֗ר NAS: with ten curtains of fine KJV: [with] ten curtains [of] fine twined INT: shall make ten curtains of fine twisted Exodus 26:2 Exodus 26:2 Exodus 26:2 Exodus 26:3 Exodus 26:3 Exodus 26:4 Exodus 26:4 Exodus 26:5 Exodus 26:5 Exodus 26:6 Exodus 26:7 Exodus 26:7 Exodus 26:8 Exodus 26:8 Exodus 26:8 Exodus 26:9 Exodus 26:9 Exodus 26:9 Exodus 26:10 Exodus 26:10 Exodus 26:12 Exodus 26:12 Exodus 26:13 Exodus 36:8 54 Occurrences |
    |