Exodus 26 21

Exodus 26:21 kjv

And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.

Exodus 26:21 nkjv

and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards.

Exodus 26:21 niv

and forty silver bases?two under each frame.

Exodus 26:21 esv

and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame.

Exodus 26:21 nlt

with their forty silver bases, two bases under each frame.

Exodus 26 verses

Exodus 26 21 Meaning

Exodus 26:21 describes the foundational support for the planks forming the walls of the Tabernacle's dwelling place. It specifies that forty silver sockets were to be made for these boards, with two sockets serving as the stable base for each individual board. This instruction ensures the structural integrity and stability of the portable sanctuary, a key element for the precise dwelling of God among His people in the wilderness.

Exodus 26 21 Context

Exodus chapter 26 is primarily dedicated to the highly detailed and precise divine instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle's dwelling place (Mishkan), specifying its coverings, frames, bars, and veils. It describes the physical structure that would house God's presence among Israel. Verse 21, specifically, elaborates on the foundational elements of the Tabernacle's wooden boards or planks that formed its walls. These planks, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, were designed to stand upright. For stability, their tenons were to fit into heavy silver sockets. This level of intricate detail highlights the holiness and sacredness associated with God's dwelling place and Israel's exact obedience required to manifest His presence correctly in the wilderness, providing a visible sign of the covenant between God and His people.

Exodus 26 21 Word analysis

• And their forty sockets:

  • sockets: From the Hebrew אֲדָנִים (adonim), the plural of אֶדֶן (eden), meaning "base," "pedestal," or "foundation." These were solid, weighty pieces designed to anchor the Tabernacle planks. Their design highlights the necessity of a stable and secure base for God's dwelling.
  • forty: This number refers to the total number of silver sockets needed for the long side planks (twenty on each side) of the Tabernacle as specified in Exodus 26:18 and 26:20. The presence of exactly two sockets per board ensures balanced and sturdy support for each individual plank.

• of silver:

  • The Hebrew word for "silver" is כֶּסֶף (kesef). This detail is profoundly significant due to the source of the silver. According to Exodus 30:11-16, the silver used for these sockets came from the "atonement money" (also called "ransom money") collected from every Israelite male aged twenty and above. Each man gave half a shekel of silver "to make atonement for their souls" (Exod 30:15-16). This means the very foundation of the dwelling place of God rested upon the collective redemption or covering for the sins of the people. This inherently links the Tabernacle's stability and God's presence to the concept of atonement.

• you shall make:

  • This is a direct imperative from God to Moses, indicating divine command. Every aspect of the Tabernacle's construction was meticulously ordained by God, not by human design or preference. This reinforces the sanctity and unique purpose of the Tabernacle as God's specific revelation.

• two sockets under one board and two sockets under the next board:

  • This specifies the precise arrangement. Each board, irrespective of its position on the Tabernacle wall, was given equal, uniform, and robust support. This uniformity speaks to the equitable provision of atonement for every individual in the community, providing individual stability within the communal dwelling. It underscores that God's presence is secured by the redeemed nature of each component.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "their forty sockets of silver": This phrase draws a direct link between the physical foundation of the Tabernacle and the spiritual principle of atonement. The weighty silver (a total of 100 talents, or over 3.4 metric tons, of silver was collected for all the sockets of the Tabernacle, as stated in Exod 38:27-28) not only ensured a robust and sturdy base for a portable structure but also represented the great collective cost and value of the atonement provided by God. The "forty" implies specific, organized placement crucial to stability.
  • "two sockets under one board": This emphasis on individual board stability through specific and balanced support suggests that each part of God's dwelling place is properly grounded and secured. In a theological sense, this can symbolize that each member within God's spiritual household (the church) stands secure in the atoning work of redemption, being individually sustained yet united in Christ.

Exodus 26 21 Bonus section

The sheer quantity and weight of the silver required for the Tabernacle's sockets (totaling one hundred talents for all one hundred sockets of the Tabernacle and its veil, as specified in Exod 38:27-28), which derived directly from the collective half-shekel atonement offering from every male Israelite, emphasize several points:

• Weight of Atonement: The massive physical weight (over 3.4 metric tons) symbolized the profound and substantial nature of the atonement that undergirded God's presence.
• Communal Participation: Every individual male Israelite contributed equally to this foundation, signifying that redemption is offered to all and is the collective basis for God's communal dwelling among His people.
• Portability with Stability: Despite being a portable sanctuary designed for a nomadic existence, the heavy silver sockets ensured an exceptionally stable and grounded structure, indicating that God's dwelling with Israel, though movable, was firmly rooted in His redemptive plan. This blend of stability and portability underscores God's steadfast presence even through times of journey and change.

Exodus 26 21 Commentary

Exodus 26:21, though appearing as a mere architectural detail, is saturated with profound theological meaning, particularly when connected to its source of funding. The fact that the Tabernacle's forty sockets for its structural planks were made from the atonement money, collected as a "ransom for their souls," is of paramount significance. It means that God's very dwelling place among His people in the wilderness was established upon a foundation of divine redemption and covering for sin. The meticulous instructions, specifying two heavy silver sockets for each board, speak to the absolute stability and divine integrity required for His holy presence. This structure, standing upon collected atonement, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual reality of God's presence with humanity. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as our true and perfect atonement (Rom 3:25; 1 Pet 1:18-19), the solid foundation upon which God's spiritual house, the Church, is built (1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20). Just as each plank rested securely on two sockets of atonement silver, every believer, as a "living stone," is individually grounded and secured in the completed work of Christ's redemption, forming the collective dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. The substantial cost of the silver also reminds us of the infinite value and cost of this divine redemption provided through Christ.