King James Version

What Does Exodus 36:26 Mean?

Exodus 36:26 in the King James Version says “And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. — study this verse from Exodus chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Exodus 36:26 · KJV


Context

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.

27

And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards.

28

And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forty silver sockets on the north side (identical to the south, v. 24) reinforce that God's dwelling rests equally on redemption throughout—no side lacks proper foundation, no area stands on inferior support. This universal foundation of atonement-silver prefigures Christ's sufficient sacrifice for all believers—His redemption doesn't vary by geography, culture, or time. The gospel's foundation remains consistent across all contexts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The repetition emphasizes that the same atonement silver (from the half-shekel tax) supported every board on every side. No board rested on anything except redemption—a powerful visual sermon to Israelites constantly seeing and assembling the tabernacle.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the universal foundation of redemption-silver (all sides equally supported) illustrate the sufficiency of Christ's atonement?
  2. What does the identical foundation across all sides teach about the consistency of salvation across different contexts and peoples?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאַרְבָּעִ֥ים1 of 13

And their forty

H705

forty

אֲדָנִ֔ים2 of 13

sockets

H134

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

כָּ֑סֶף3 of 13

of silver

H3701

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

וּשְׁנֵ֣י4 of 13

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲדָנִ֔ים5 of 13

sockets

H134

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

תַּ֚חַת6 of 13
H8478

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

הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ7 of 13

board

H7175

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

הָֽאֶחָֽד׃8 of 13

under another

H259

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

וּשְׁנֵ֣י9 of 13

and two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֲדָנִ֔ים10 of 13

sockets

H134

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

תַּ֖חַת11 of 13
H8478

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

הַקֶּ֥רֶשׁ12 of 13

board

H7175

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

הָֽאֶחָֽד׃13 of 13

under another

H259

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


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 36:26 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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