King James Version

What Does Exodus 36:33 Mean?

Exodus 36:33 in the King James Version says “And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other. — study this verse from Exodus chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.

Exodus 36:33 · KJV


Context

31

And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,

32

And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward.

33

And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.

34

And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35

And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The middle bar 'in the midst of the boards' reaching 'from end to end' (הַבְּרִיחַ הַתִּיכֹן בְּתוֹךְ הַקְּרָשִׁים, haberiach ha-tikhon betokh ha-kerashim... מִן־הַקָּצֶה אֶל־הַקָּצֶה, min-hakatzeh el-hakatzeh) provided central, comprehensive support spanning the entire side. This central bar pictures Christ, the unifying center of His church, who binds all believers together from one end (beginning of time) to the other (consummation). He is the 'one mediator' (1 Timothy 2:5) connecting all parts of His body across all generations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The middle bar, running the full length through rings in the center of each board, provided the primary structural integrity. The other bars (two above, two below) offered additional support, but the central bar bore the main unifying function.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the central bar running from end to end illustrate Christ's unifying work in His church across all times and places?
  2. What does the middle bar's comprehensive reach teach about Christ's mediatorial role connecting all believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ1 of 11

And he made

H6213

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

אֶת2 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַבְּרִ֣יחַ3 of 11

bar

H1280

a bolt

הַתִּיכֹ֑ן4 of 11

the middle

H8484

central

לִבְרֹ֙חַ֙5 of 11

to shoot

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

בְּת֣וֹךְ6 of 11

through

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַקְּרָשִׁ֔ים7 of 11

the boards

H7175

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

מִן8 of 11
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקָּצֶֽה׃9 of 11

from the one end

H7097

an extremity

אֶל10 of 11
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקָּצֶֽה׃11 of 11

from the one end

H7097

an extremity


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 36:33 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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