Exodus 27 10

Exodus 27:10 kjv

And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

Exodus 27:10 nkjv

And its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets shall be bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be silver.

Exodus 27:10 niv

with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

Exodus 27:10 esv

Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

Exodus 27:10 nlt

They will be held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. Hang the curtains with silver hooks and rings.

Exodus 27 verses

Exodus 27 10 Meaning

Exodus 27:10 precisely describes specific components for the courtyard of the Tabernacle: twenty bronze bases for twenty pillars on the courtyard's north and south sides, and silver hooks and bands for these pillars. These elements were foundational for securing the linen hangings that defined the sacred enclosure, underscoring the divine demand for detailed and exact construction according to God's precise blueprint.

Exodus 27 10 Context

Exodus 27:10 is part of the extensive instructions given by God to Moses concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, beginning in Exodus 25. Specifically, this verse details components for the courtyard that surrounded the sacred tent itself. The preceding verse, Exodus 27:9, introduced the dimensions and linen hangings of the courtyard. The entire section from Exodus 25 to 31 outlines a meticulous divine blueprint, leaving no detail to human discretion. This highlights God's demand for order, precision, and adherence to His holy standards. Historically, the Tabernacle was Israel's portable sanctuary, the central place of worship, signifying God's presence among His people as they journeyed through the wilderness. Its construction details, including the materials, bore theological significance for the original audience, revealing God's attributes and the pathway to approach Him. The strength and permanence implied by bronze, and the value and redemptive nature of silver, would have been deeply meaningful in their cultural context, especially when contrasting this divinely appointed structure with the pagan temples of surrounding nations that relied on human deities and flawed designs.

Exodus 27 10 Word analysis

• Its: Refers back to the "court of the tabernacle" mentioned in Exo 27:9, signifying the integral connection of these components to the overall structure.
• twenty (עֶשְׂרִים, 'esrim): A precise numerical value, emphasizing God's exactness in design. This number, used repeatedly (20 pillars for each of the long sides, north and south), underscores symmetry and divine order, foundational for the sacred space.
• pillars (עַמּוּדִים, 'ammudim): Refers to the upright supports, likely posts, that held the linen hangings of the courtyard. In biblical thought, pillars often symbolize stability, support, and permanence (cf. pillars of the earth, pillars of a house). Spiritually, they point to what upholds and gives structure to the spiritual life.
• and (וְ, vav): A simple conjunction connecting related elements.
• their: Possessive pronoun linking the bases to the specific pillars, indicating an interlocking design.
• bases (אַדְנֵיהֶם, 'adnehem, from אֶדֶן, 'eden): These were sockets or pedestals into which the pillars were set. As foundations, they signify stability, security, and the necessary groundwork for the spiritual structure to stand firm.
• shall be: Imperative mood conveying divine command and absolute requirement, not suggestion.
• of bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת, nehoshet): This metal is historically associated with durability, strength, and also purification and judgment in biblical contexts. For the Tabernacle, bronze was predominantly used for elements associated with the outer court and sacrifice (e.g., the altar of burnt offering, the laver). Symbolically, it often points to God's holiness in judgment against sin, necessary for approaching Him.
• hooks (וָוֵי, vavvey, plural of vav): Small fasteners, typically made to hang things. These would have held the linen hangings onto the pillars. They represent connection and the holding power that makes the sacred enclosure function as a whole.
• the pillars: Reiteration specifying what the hooks attach to, maintaining clarity in the instructions.
• bands (חֲשֻׁקֵיהֶם, chasuqehem): Likely connecting rods or fillets that bound the tops of the pillars together for added stability, ensuring the whole structure was firm and uniform. These represent unity and mutual support, maintaining the integrity of the sacred space.
• of silver (כָּסֶף, kesef): A precious metal contrasting with bronze. Silver is often associated with redemption (ransom money), purity, value, and divine light in Scripture. While bronze handles judgment, silver implies the pathway of redemption necessary to stand in the court.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis

• "Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases": This emphasizes exact quantity and paired components, showcasing God's precision in ordering His dwelling. The identical number for both pillars and bases speaks of a complete, fitted, and perfectly matched system. The collective strength of these many pillars provides sturdy support for the heavy courtyard hangings, mirroring the collective strength and support found in a body of believers upholding the truth.
• "shall be of bronze": The repeated instruction for bronze highlights its crucial role in the outer court. Bronze, distinct from the finer materials of the inner sanctuary, represents strength, durability in the face of exposure, and often symbolically connects to God's dealings with sin through judgment and atonement, necessary at the threshold of the sacred. The foundational nature of the bases being bronze underpins the severity and finality of God's holy requirements.
• "the hooks of the pillars and their bands": These smaller, connecting elements demonstrate the minute attention to detail in the divine design. The hooks provided the means for hanging the linen curtains, creating the boundary of the court, while the bands secured the structural integrity of the pillar arrangement. Functionally, they enable the system to work together seamlessly, symbolically representing the interlocking and supporting roles within the community of faith that create a unified witness.
• "shall be of silver": This specifies a different, more precious material for the connecting parts at the top of the bronze pillars. Silver, with its symbolism of redemption, purification, and the Word of God, indicates that while the foundations are laid in divine judgment (bronze), the access to God and the purity of His presence are connected with redemptive value. The preciousness of silver also highlights the divine worth placed on order and connection within His sacred spaces.

Exodus 27 10 Bonus section

The uniformity of twenty pillars and bases on both the north and south sides (Exo 27:10) and then ten on the west (Exo 27:12) with associated elements reveals not just detail, but divine principles of order and completeness. The Tabernacle, a precise architectural model given by God, taught the Israelites about God's absolute holiness, the precise requirements for worship, and His desire to dwell among them. Every material and measurement had specific significance. The blend of strong, foundational bronze with precious, redemptive silver encapsulates the core of the Gospel: righteousness demanded, and righteousness provided. The Tabernacle served as a profound object lesson, preparing the hearts of God's people for the ultimate revelation of Himself in Christ, the Living Tabernacle, who embodied both the judgment against sin and the redemption of humanity. This structure prefigured the spiritual reality of God dwelling in the church, built on the solid foundation of Christ and united by grace.

Exodus 27 10 Commentary

Exodus 27:10 is a microcosm of divine order and the interplay of justice and grace within God's sanctuary. The "twenty pillars and their twenty bases of bronze" form a sturdy and extensive boundary for the Tabernacle courtyard. Bronze, consistently used for the altar of burnt offering and the laver, symbolizes judgment, strength, and the purifying work necessary to approach a holy God. These solid foundations signify that God's holiness demands accountability and that sin must be dealt with, a truth upon which all access to God's presence rests.

Contrasting this strength are the "hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver." Silver, throughout the Old Testament, frequently signifies redemption, atonement, and purification (e.g., the redemption money). Thus, while the bases underscore judgment (bronze), the connections at the top (silver) highlight the redemptive provision through which one could enter the courtyard and experience God's presence. This subtle detail speaks volumes: access to God's holiness (represented by the Tabernacle itself) is built upon judgment but actualized through redemption. The entire structure, from its firm foundation to its meticulous fasteners, speaks to the divine architecture of salvation, meticulously planned and perfectly executed. Spiritually, this mirrors the believer's standing in Christ: saved from judgment through His atoning work (represented by bronze) and redeemed into fellowship (represented by silver).