Exodus 36 24

Exodus 36:24 kjv

And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.

Exodus 36:24 nkjv

Forty sockets of silver he made to go under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons.

Exodus 36:24 niv

and made forty silver bases to go under them?two bases for each frame, one under each projection.

Exodus 36:24 esv

And he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons.

Exodus 36:24 nlt

He also made forty silver bases ? two bases under each frame, with the pegs fitting securely into the bases.

Exodus 36 verses

Exodus 36 24 Meaning

Exodus 36:24 details a specific act of construction for the Tabernacle: the crafting of forty heavy silver bases, each designed to precisely support one of the twenty acacia wood boards that formed the main walls of the holy sanctuary. Each board was specifically engineered with two tenons, which fit snugly into two respective silver bases, ensuring stability and a secure foundation for God's dwelling place among His people in the wilderness.

Exodus 36 24 Context

Exodus 36:24 falls within the section describing the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, executed by skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab, along with all the willing-hearted individuals, just as Yahweh commanded Moses. This verse specifically relates to the materials and assembly of the outer framework of the Tabernacle itself, not the court or the internal furnishings. It follows the preparation of the twenty acacia wood boards for the south side and precedes the crafting of similar boards and connecting bars for the other sides. The broader historical context is the period in the Sinai wilderness, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law, where God desired to dwell amidst His newly redeemed people through a mobile sanctuary. This entire construction process underscores meticulous obedience to divine instruction, the willing giving of resources by the people, and the physical manifestation of God's presence. The mention of "silver bases" points back to Exodus 30:11-16, where silver collected as atonement money (a half-shekel from every man counted) was explicitly designated for casting these bases.

Exodus 36 24 Word analysis

• And they made (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - wa-yaʿăśū): From the verb עָשָׂה (ʿāśāh), "to do, to make." This emphasizes the active, diligent, and obedient work of the craftsmen, precisely carrying out God's detailed instructions given in earlier chapters.
• forty (אַרְבָּעִים - ʾarbāʿîm): A precise number indicating exact adherence to the divine blueprint. Twenty boards for the south and twenty for the north side, each needing two bases.
• bases (אֲדָנִים - ʾădānîm): Plural of אֶדֶן (ʾeden), meaning "socket, base, pedestal." These were heavy, foundational pieces into which the tenons of the boards fit. Their nature as support elements is critical for the entire structure.
• of silver (כֶּסֶף - kesef): "Silver." A precious metal. Its significance is immense here because Exodus 38:27-28 confirms that these bases were cast from the atonement money (כֶּסֶף הַפְּקֻדִים - kesef happəqūḏîm, "silver of the enrolled ones" or "counted ones"), gathered as a half-shekel ransom from every counted man aged twenty years and upward (Ex. 30:11-16). Thus, the very foundation of the Tabernacle literally rested on the redemption money paid by the people, symbolizing that God's dwelling among humanity is based on atonement and redemption.
• under (תַּחַת - taḥat): "Under, beneath." Denotes the position of support, illustrating their foundational role for the boards.
• the twenty boards (הַקְּרָשִׁים - haqqərášîm): The article "the" indicates specific boards already commanded and prepared. These were upright planks (Ex. 26:15), made of acacia wood, forming the walls of the sacred enclosure.
• two bases (שְׁנֵי אֲדָנִים - šnê ʾădānîm): The numerical specification again underscores the exactness required for each board's support. Each board, therefore, had dual, robust anchors.
• under one board (לַקֶּרֶשׁ הָאֶחָד - laqqereš hāʾeḥāḏ): Emphasizes individual, custom-fitted support for each wooden panel. This precise fit ensures structural integrity.
• for their two tenons (לִשְׁתֵּי יְדֹתָיו - lištê yəḏōṯāyw):
  • tenons (יְדֹתָיו - yəḏōṯāyw): Plural of יָד (yāḏ), meaning "hand, projection, support." In the context of carpentry, it refers to the projections on the bottom of the boards designed to insert into the mortises (sockets) of the silver bases. The use of "hands" suggests a fitting and joining function. The two tenons provided stability against twisting and lateral movement, reinforcing the structure.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "forty bases of silver": This phrase highlights the vast amount and preciousness of the material. Given that Exodus 38:27 calculates a total of 100 talents of silver (approx. 7500 lbs or 3400 kg) for all the bases, with each of these forty bases likely weighing a talent, this signifies an extraordinarily heavy and valuable foundation. This substantial material requirement underscores the stability and worthiness of God's dwelling, rooted in the costly atonement provided by His people.
• "two bases under one board for their two tenons": This specific engineering detail speaks volumes about divine precision and structural integrity. It ensured that each weighty acacia wood board, standing upright, was firmly anchored, preventing swaying or collapse. This perfectly fitted system ensured the Tabernacle was not merely a tent but a sturdy, divinely engineered structure, symbolically secure and unshakeable, despite being mobile.

Exodus 36 24 Bonus section

• The collective weight of these forty silver bases alone (plus others) would have been immense. According to Exodus 38:27, 100 talents of silver (approx. 7,500 pounds or 3,400 kg) were used for the bases. This would have made these specific components extraordinarily heavy and difficult to transport, highlighting the sacrificial effort involved in carrying the sanctuary parts, particularly by the Kohathites, who were assigned to carry the sacred furnishings, without oxcarts, directly on their shoulders (Num. 7:9).
• The use of "hands" (yādôt) for the tenons is an interesting anthropomorphic touch, symbolizing how these projections "held" and "grasped" the sockets, providing firm anchorage and joining. This implies an active role in maintaining the structure's stability.
• These silver bases formed the literal footing upon which the walls of God's house rested, reinforcing the concept that God's presence in Israel was literally grounded in their redemption. It contrasts with pagan worship, where structures might be crude or built on shifting sands; the Lord's dwelling was solid and purposeful.

Exodus 36 24 Commentary

Exodus 36:24 serves as a precise structural detail within the grand narrative of the Tabernacle's construction. It moves beyond simple execution, offering layers of theological insight. The very foundation of God's dwelling among His people—forty massive silver bases—was made from the silver collected as "atonement money." This immediately elevates the physical base to a symbolic one, demonstrating that God's presence in their midst, and His relationship with Israel, was established and maintained on the grounds of redemption.

The sheer weight and precision required for these bases underline several key themes: obedience to God's exact commands, the diligent craftsmanship enabled by God's Spirit (Bezalel and Oholiab), and the costliness of divine fellowship. Each board needing two perfectly fitted tenons for its two bases speaks to meticulous detail, divine order, and unshakeable stability. God's sanctuary was not haphazard; it was carefully, perfectly built, signifying His steadfast nature and the security He provides. In essence, the Tabernacle was built not merely upon earth, but upon atonement, foreshadowing how access to God through Christ (the ultimate Tabernacle/Temple, John 1:14) is eternally secured by His redeeming sacrifice.