King James Version

What Does Exodus 26:19 Mean?

Exodus 26:19 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Exodus 26:19 · KJV


Context

17

Two tenons shall there be in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. tenons: Heb. hands

18

And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward.

19

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

20

And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards:

21

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forty silver sockets under the twenty boards (two per board)—silver consistently represents redemption. Each board stands on redemption's foundation, not personal strength. Forty is the number of testing/trial; our standing is tested, but silver sockets (redemption purchased by Christ) remain firm. Two sockets per board suggest the dual witness of the gospel—Christ's death and resurrection—on which we stand.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Each silver socket weighed one talent (approximately 75 pounds), making the foundation extraordinarily substantial—about 3,000 pounds of silver for the south side alone. This massive foundation ensured the tabernacle stood firm despite desert winds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does standing on redemption (silver) rather than personal merit affect your stability during trials?
  2. What does the dual foundation (two sockets) under each board teach about the gospel's complete work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַרְבָּעִים֙1 of 21

forty

H705

forty

אֲדָנִ֛ים2 of 21

sockets

H134

a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)

כֶ֔סֶף3 of 21

of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֕ה4 of 21

And thou shalt make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תַּ֖חַת5 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

עֶשְׂרִ֣ים6 of 21

under the twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ7 of 21

board

H7175

a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship

לִשְׁתֵּ֥י8 of 21

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲדָנִ֛ים9 of 21

sockets

H134

a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)

תַּֽחַת10 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ11 of 21

board

H7175

a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship

הָֽאֶחָ֖ד12 of 21

under another

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לִשְׁתֵּ֥י13 of 21

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יְדֹתָֽיו׃14 of 21

tenons

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לִשְׁתֵּ֥י15 of 21

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲדָנִ֛ים16 of 21

sockets

H134

a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)

תַּֽחַת17 of 21
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ18 of 21

board

H7175

a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship

הָֽאֶחָ֖ד19 of 21

under another

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לִשְׁתֵּ֥י20 of 21

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יְדֹתָֽיו׃21 of 21

tenons

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 26:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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