King James Version

What Does Exodus 38:27 Mean?

Exodus 38:27 in the King James Version says “And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred soc... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.

Exodus 38:27 · KJV


Context

25

And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

26

A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men. every man: Heb. a poll

27

And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.

28

And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

29

And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The hundred talents of silver cast into sockets (אֲדָנִים, adanim—'foundations') for sanctuary and veil—'a talent for a socket' (כִּכָּר לָאָדֶן, kikkar la-aden)—demonstrates that redemption provides precise foundation: ninety-six sockets (forty-eight for boards, forty-eight for veil pillars) from ninety-six talents. Four talents remaining (v. 28) went to hooks and capitals. This mathematical precision teaches that God's redemption is neither insufficient nor wasteful—exactly enough, perfectly distributed. Every socket bearing tabernacle boards stood on one talent of atonement silver, illustrating that believers' standing rests entirely on purchased redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The sockets (approximately 75-100 pounds each) provided substantial foundation, anchoring the boards and pillars in place. Using precisely one talent per socket demonstrated remarkable engineering—calculating needed materials exactly, then collecting exact amounts through the census. This precision reflected divine planning, not human estimation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the exact correspondence (one talent per socket, ninety-six sockets from ninety-six talents) teach about God's perfect provision?
  2. How does each socket bearing one talent of redemption-silver illustrate every believer's complete dependence on purchased salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִמְאַ֥ת2 of 17

And of the hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

כִּכָּ֥ר3 of 17

a talent

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

הַכֶּ֔סֶף4 of 17

of silver

H3701

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

לָצֶ֗קֶת5 of 17

were cast

H3332

properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard

אֵ֚ת6 of 17
H853

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

לָאָֽדֶן׃7 of 17

and the sockets

H134

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

הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ8 of 17

of the sanctuary

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְאֵ֖ת9 of 17
H853

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

לָאָֽדֶן׃10 of 17

and the sockets

H134

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

הַפָּרֹ֑כֶת11 of 17

of the vail

H6532

a separatrix, i.e., (the sacred) screen

לִמְאַ֥ת12 of 17

And of the hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

לָאָֽדֶן׃13 of 17

and the sockets

H134

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

לִמְאַ֥ת14 of 17

And of the hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

כִּכָּ֥ר15 of 17

a talent

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כִּכָּ֥ר16 of 17

a talent

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

לָאָֽדֶן׃17 of 17

and the sockets

H134

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


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 38:27 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 38:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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