Exodus 36:36 kjv
And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
Exodus 36:36 nkjv
He made for it four pillars of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, with their hooks of gold; and he cast four sockets of silver for them.
Exodus 36:36 niv
They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold. They made gold hooks for them and cast their four silver bases.
Exodus 36:36 esv
And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver.
Exodus 36:36 nlt
For the curtain, he made four posts of acacia wood and four gold hooks. He overlaid the posts with gold and set them in four silver bases.
Exodus 36 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I show you... so shall you make it." | Divine pattern, obedience. |
| Ex 25:10 | "They shall make an ark of acacia wood..." | Acacia wood for sacred objects. |
| Ex 26:14 | "...for the entrance of the tent a screen of blue and purple and scarlet..." | The screen at the entrance. |
| Ex 26:37 | "And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood..." | Similar instruction for veil pillars. |
| Ex 30:1 | "You shall make an altar of acacia wood..." | Acacia wood's durability. |
| Ex 35:24 | "Everyone who could present an offering of gold... bronze..." | Materials offered by the people. |
| Ex 35:30-35 | "...Bezalel and Oholiab, filled with the Spirit of God for craftsmanship..." | God's enabling for skilled work. |
| Ex 38:8 | "...the laver of bronze and its base of bronze..." | Bronze used for atonement/judgment. |
| Ex 39:32 | "Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished..." | Completion according to God's command. |
| Lev 8:33 | "And you shall not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting..." | Significance of the entrance. |
| Num 3:25 | "And the charge of the sons of Gershon... the covering of the tent, and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting..." | Care for the tabernacle parts, including screen. |
| Num 4:26 | "...and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court." | Specific parts of the Tabernacle to transport. |
| Deut 10:18 | "...who executes justice for the fatherless and the widow..." | Bronze/judgment theme foreshadows justice. |
| Ps 24:7 | "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors..." | Metaphorical gates/entrances for God's glory. |
| Isa 6:1 | "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple." | Glory in God's dwelling place. |
| Hag 2:8 | "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts." | God's ownership of all materials. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." | God tabernacling (dwelling) with humanity. |
| Jn 10:9 | "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..." | Christ as the sole entrance/access. |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." | Access to God through Christ. |
| Heb 8:2 | "...a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man..." | Tabernacle as a copy of heavenly things. |
| Heb 9:3 | "...Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Most Holy Place..." | Curtains and screens in Tabernacle context. |
| Heb 10:20 | "...through the curtain, that is, through his flesh..." | Christ's body as the new way to God's presence. |
| Rev 21:18 | "The wall of the city was built of jasper, and the city itself was pure gold..." | New Jerusalem's divine materials and beauty. |
Exodus 36 verses
Exodus 36 36 Meaning
Exodus 36:36 details the construction of five foundational pillars for the entrance screen of the Tabernacle, precisely following God’s divine instructions. These pillars, crafted from durable acacia wood, were meticulously overlaid with gold on their capitals and decorative bands, and firmly set upon bronze bases. This verse illustrates the diligent and faithful execution of the sacred blueprints for God's dwelling place among His people, emphasizing the preciousness and specific requirements for accessing His presence.
Exodus 36 36 Context
Exodus 36 continues the narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, shifting from the detailed divine instructions (chapters 25-31) to the actual work performed by Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled craftsmen (chapters 35-39). This chapter specifically recounts the making of various parts of the Tabernacle structure itself, including the tent curtains, coverings, frames, the veil (Ex 36:35), and then in verse 36, the pillars for the entrance screen of the main tent. Historically, this occurred during Israel's journey through the Sinai wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle served as God's portable sanctuary, allowing His holy presence to dwell amidst a nomadic people. The precise construction details, including those for these pillars, underscore the holiness required for the place where God would meet His people, standing in stark contrast to pagan idolatry where man constructed gods for himself; here, God precisely directed man how to construct a dwelling for Himself.
Exodus 36 36 Word analysis
- And he made (וַיַּעַשׂ, wayya'as): This verb signifies the faithful execution of God's earlier commands (Ex 26:37). "He" refers collectively to Bezalel, Oholiab, and the artisans divinely gifted for the work (Ex 36:1-2). It denotes active obedience.
- for the screen (לַמָּסָךְ, lammasakh): Massakh refers to a curtain or covering, specifically here, the outer entrance to the tent itself, distinguishing it from the inner veil (parochet) to the Most Holy Place. It acted as a boundary, allowing entry.
- of the entrance (פֶּתַח, petach): Means "opening" or "doorway." This identifies the exact location of the screen, indicating the sole point of legitimate access into the Tabernacle tent.
- to the tent (לָאֹהֶל, la'ohel): Refers to the "tent of meeting" or "tabernacle" proper, which contained the Holy Place and Most Holy Place. It clarifies the purpose of the screen as the threshold to the sanctuary.
- five pillars (חֲמִשָּׁה עַמּוּדִים, khamishah ammudim): "Five" is a recurring significant number in Tabernacle measurements, often linked to grace or God's revelation (e.g., 5 offerings in Leviticus, 5 books of the Torah). "Pillars" (or "posts") provided structural support and marked the entrance, symbolizing stability and establishment.
- of acacia (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים, 'atzei shittim): Shittim wood came from the acacia tree, abundant in the Sinai wilderness. It is remarkably hard, durable, and resistant to decay and insects. Symbolically, it often represents the human element, yet incorruptible or divinely chosen, enduring despite earthly origin.
- and overlaid (וְצִפָּה, veztifpah): To "cover" or "overlay." This process purified and elevated the humble wood with precious metal, making it fit for divine service.
- their capitals (אֶת־רָאשֵׁיהֶם, et-rosheihem): Literally "their heads," referring to the tops or uppermost parts of the pillars, adorned with precious material.
- and their fillets (וְחִשֻּׁקֵיהֶם, vekhishsheukeihem): Generally refers to bands, connecting rings, or clasps. Here, it likely means ornamental bands around the pillar tops or elements used to attach the screen. These also were to be overlaid with gold.
- with gold (זָהָב, zahav): A most precious metal, symbolic of divine glory, holiness, purity, and the preciousness of God's presence. Its use signifies the divine nature of the Tabernacle.
- and their five bases (וַחֲמִשָּׁה אֲדָנֵיהֶם, vachamishah adaneihem): "Bases" (or "sockets") served as pedestals or foundations into which the pillars were set, providing stability and support.
- were of bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת, nekhoshet): Bronze (or copper) was commonly used for the Tabernacle's outer elements, implements associated with the altar of burnt offering, and the laver. It often symbolizes divine judgment and atonement, as it relates to the shedding of blood and purification rituals.
Exodus 36 36 Bonus section
The choice of specific materials for the Tabernacle elements conveyed profound theological truths, not just for the ancient Israelites but for all who study God's Word. The acacia wood, indigenous to the desert and known for its strength, represented something growing out of a desolate environment yet enduring, hinting at God's capacity to bring forth the incorruptible and lasting from ordinary means or even hardship. The transition from bronze in the courtyard (associated with sin, judgment, and sacrifice) to silver for the connecting parts of the frames, and then overwhelmingly to gold within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, symbolically illustrates the progression from atonement for sin to the purity and glory of God's presence. These pillars, specifically at the entrance, bridge these symbolic thresholds, preparing the worshipper to move from the common to the sacred.
Exodus 36 36 Commentary
Exodus 36:36 illustrates the painstaking exactness with which the Tabernacle, God's dwelling, was constructed, reflecting divine pattern and human obedience. Every detail, from the material choices to the specific numbers, held theological significance. The durable acacia wood points to human service in God's plan, yet divinely made incorruptible for its holy purpose. The gold speaks of the intrinsic purity and glory of the divine, consecrating what it adorns. The bronze bases symbolize stability, yet also judgment and atonement—a necessary foundation for approach to a holy God. These five pillars demarcated the critical entrance to the holy space, representing controlled access. This precise craftsmanship serves as a prophetic picture of God's character and the future pathway to His presence through the One who fulfills all types: Jesus Christ, the door, whose humanity (acacia), divinity (gold), and sacrificial work (bronze) provide the new and living way into the very presence of God. The physical beauty and integrity of the Tabernacle reflected the holiness and perfection of the God who commanded its construction.