King James Version

What Does Exodus 36:24 Mean?

Exodus 36:24 in the King James Version says “And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two soc... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

22

One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

23

And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:

24

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.

25

And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,

26

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forty sockets of silver (אַדְנֵי־כֶסֶף, adnei-keseph, literally 'foundations of silver') under twenty boards (two per board) provided stable foundation. Silver throughout Scripture represents redemption (the half-shekel atonement money, Exodus 30:11-16, provided the silver for these sockets, 38:25-27). Every board resting on redemption-silver teaches that God's house stands entirely on atoning sacrifice—believers find sure footing not in personal merit but in purchased redemption. Christ is our foundation, and we stand only because He paid the price.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The silver came specifically from the atonement tax (half-shekel per person, Exodus 30:13), meaning the foundation literally represented every Israelite's ransom. This redemption-silver foundation made a powerful theological statement: God's dwelling stands on the atonement price for His people.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the theological significance of the tabernacle's foundation being made from atonement silver?
  2. How does standing on redemption-silver illustrate believers' security in Christ's purchased salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַרְבָּעִים֙1 of 21

And 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

עָשָׂ֕ה4 of 21

he made

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 36:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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