In order to understand the following verses, it is important to check first the total dimensions of the framework of the tabernacle described in verses 15-25. (See the introduction to that section.) When finally erected the framework was to be rectangular in shape, measuring thirty cubits in length, ten cubits in width, and ten cubits in height. These dimensions are approximately equal to fifteen by five by five yards, or 13.7 by 4.6 by 4.6 meters. (See the illustration, page 612.)

And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent refers to the extra two cubits of the goats’ hair material, or half curtain, that will extend beyond the total length of the linen material. As explained at verse 4, the total length of the linen material will be forty cubits, and the total length of the goats’ hair material will be forty-four cubits. Verse 9 mentions that the extra strip of goats’ hair material was to be folded over itself, thus reducing the total length to forty-two cubits. This means that the total length of this second layer was to extend twelve cubits beyond the length of the framework, which was thirty cubits.

The half curtain that remains is a further description of the first phrase, the part that remains …, again referring to the extra two cubits, or one half of the four-cubit width of the eleventh strip. These two cubits, plus the ten cubits beyond the thirty-cubit length of the framework, are what shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. This means that two cubits, or one yard, of the goats’ hair material will actually trail on the ground at the far end of the tabernacle, opposite the entrance. The entrance to the tent was not to be covered by either the inner layer of linen or the second layer of goats’ hair; a special “screen” (verse 36) was to be made to hang there.

Since the framework supporting all these curtains was to be thirty cubits long, both layers would hang down to the ground at the far end of the tabernacle. The inner layer, which was forty cubits long, would just reach the ground at the back, while the second layer of goats’ hair, which was to be forty-two cubits long after the fold-over at the front, would still extend two cubits more on the ground at the rear. (See the illustration.) Good News Translation is a bit misleading, suggesting that it is only the “extra half piece” that will hang at the back. The Hebrew evidently assumes that the ten additional cubits of the goats’-hair covering are already understood to be hanging at the far end.

The Hebrew is not sufficiently clear unless the entire picture is visualized. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders the word for hang over as “overlap,” and this makes it a bit clearer: “As for the overlapping excess of the cloths of the tent, the extra half-cloth shall overlap the back of the Tabernacle.” Translator’s Old Testament has “The loose part of the curtains of the tent which remains, shall hang over the back of the Shrine.” Revised English Bible is even clearer: “The additional length of the tent hanging is to fall over the back of the Tabernacle.” An alternative model for translating this verse is:

• The additional curtain material, including the extra half curtain, shall hang down at the rear of the Tabernacle.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .