Exodus 38 19

Exodus 38:19 kjv

And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.

Exodus 38:19 nkjv

And there were four pillars with their four sockets of bronze; their hooks were silver, and the overlay of their capitals and their bands was silver.

Exodus 38:19 niv

with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver.

Exodus 38:19 esv

And their pillars were four in number. Their four bases were of bronze, their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals and their fillets of silver.

Exodus 38:19 nlt

It was supported by four posts, each set securely in its own bronze base. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the hooks and rings were also made of silver.

Exodus 38 verses

Exodus 38 19 Meaning

Exodus 38:19 meticulously describes the specific materials for the foundational and connecting elements of the gate of the Tabernacle court. It specifies that the four pillars supporting this entrance were set in durable brass (bronze) sockets, while the hooks and linking fillets were fashioned from silver. This detailed account emphasizes God's precise divine blueprint for every component of His sacred dwelling, highlighting the distinct function and symbolic significance inherent in the chosen materials.

Exodus 38 19 Context

Exodus 38:19 is found within the exhaustive report of the Tabernacle's construction, following the divine instructions given earlier in Exodus chapters 25-31. Specifically, this verse is part of the description of the courtyard surrounding the main tent of the Tabernacle, detailing the precise specifications for its gate. The entire chapter, Exodus 38, chronicles the actual making of the brazen altar, the laver, and the entire courtyard framework, emphasizing that "all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the people of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses" (Ex 39:32).

Historically, the Israelites were nomadic, newly delivered from Egyptian bondage, in the wilderness. The Tabernacle served as God's mobile dwelling place among His chosen people, a visible symbol of His presence and a means for their reconciliation. This meticulous detailing stands in stark contrast to the chaotic and morally corrupt idol worship of the surrounding pagan nations, demonstrating God's order, holiness, and His sovereign, intentional provision for His people's worship and access to Him. Every specification, down to the type of metal used, conveyed deep spiritual meaning.

Exodus 38 19 Word analysis

• "Their pillars" (עַמֻּדִים, 'ammudim): Literal support columns, crucial for the structure of the Tabernacle courtyard's gate. They represent stability, standing firm, and visual demarcation, symbolically pointing to the strength and steadfastness found in God's design.
• "were four": A specific numerical command. The number four often symbolizes universality or earthly completeness (e.g., four corners of the earth), signifying the defined and appointed boundaries of this sacred entryway.
• "and their sockets" (אֲדָנִים, 'adanim): The foundational bases into which the pillars were securely placed. They signify the underlying support and immovable stability, acting as anchors for the entire structure and denoting a firm footing necessary for any access point to God.
• "of brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת, něchošeṯ, often rendered 'bronze'): A robust, weighty, and common metal in the ancient Near East. In the Tabernacle courtyard, bronze is consistently used for elements related to judgment, atonement, and the physical earth, such as the brazen altar and laver. Its presence here signifies the durability needed for the entry point and perhaps the solemnity or "heaviness" of encountering a holy God, which requires a foundation of truth regarding sin and its consequences.
• "their hooks" (וָוִים, wavim): Small but vital connecting fasteners used for hanging the curtains. These hooks demonstrate God's meticulousness, ensuring even the smallest components serve a specific functional and aesthetic purpose in His sacred blueprint. They facilitate union and continuity.
• "of silver" (כֶּסֶף, kęsep): A precious metal, inherently more valuable than bronze. Throughout the Tabernacle narratives, silver is strongly associated with redemption and atonement, notably in the "atonement money" used for Tabernacle service. Its application for the hooks and fillets highlights an aspect of value, purity, and the redemptive pathway God provided for worship.
• "and their fillets" (חֲשֻׁקִּים, chashuqqim): These refer to bands, rods, or connecting/ornamental work that linked the tops of the pillars, providing structural integrity and an aesthetically pleasing finish. They ensured coherence and strength for the hanging structure.
• "of silver": The repetition underscores the consistent use of this valuable metal for the upper, connecting elements of the gate. This highlights the preciousness and purity that are intertwined with the redemptive provision necessary for access to God, elevating the structure from its grounded foundation.

Words-group Analysis

• "Pillars...sockets of brass": This pairing emphasizes the robust, earthly foundation. Brass/bronze signifies strength, endurance, and its connection to judgment and atonement, marking the entry to God's presence as serious, demanding a solid footing based on acknowledging sin.
• "Hooks of silver, and their fillets of silver": The consistent use of silver for these connecting and finishing elements elevates their function. Silver's association with redemption and atonement transforms these practical components into symbols of God's redemptive provision, suggesting that even in the outer court, the means of approaching God is by grace and atonement, represented by this precious metal. These components facilitate joining and beauty, speaking of God's grace holding His people and structure together.

Exodus 38 19 Bonus section

The tiered use of materials within the Tabernacle design—bronze predominating in the outer courtyard (signifying judgment, earthly matters, altar of sacrifice), silver for transitional or connecting elements (atonement, redemption), and gold within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place (divine glory, presence, ultimate holiness)—serves as a visual spiritual progression. Moving inward meant moving from the common to the holy, from sacrifice to direct communion. The precise construction of the Tabernacle also foreshadows God's careful design of the spiritual "building" of the Church, with each believer being "fitted together" as a living stone. Just as the Tabernacle parts had specific roles, so too does each member of the body of Christ contribute to the whole.

Exodus 38 19 Commentary

Exodus 38:19 succinctly portrays God's precise engineering for the Tabernacle's courtyard gate, revealing profound theological truths through material selection. The robust brass (bronze) sockets, firmly grounding the pillars, speak to the unyielding foundation of divine authority and the sobering reality of judgment against sin—elements crucial at the point of entry into God's presence. In contrast, the use of precious silver for the hooks and fillets, which adorn and connect, immediately elevates the narrative to themes of redemption and purity. This juxtaposition teaches that while God's holiness demands accountability, His provision for approach is through the gracious, redemptive path He ordains. The meticulous detail in this verse reflects God's ordered character, ensuring every aspect, from the foundational to the decorative, testified to His nature and His divinely appointed way for His people to draw near. It demonstrates that worship must be precisely as God commands, not haphazardly, preparing a path that ultimately foreshadows the one, true access to God through Christ.