Exodus 26:37
And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.
Original Language Analysis
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ
And thou shalt make
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ
And thou shalt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עַמּוּדֵ֣י
pillars
H5982
עַמּוּדֵ֣י
pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
4 of 15
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
אֹתָם֙
H853
אֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זָהָ֑ב
shall be of gold
H2091
זָהָ֑ב
shall be of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
8 of 15
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וָֽוֵיהֶ֖ם
and their hooks
H2053
וָֽוֵיהֶ֖ם
and their hooks
Strong's:
H2053
Word #:
9 of 15
a hook (the name of the sixth hebrew letter)
זָהָ֑ב
shall be of gold
H2091
זָהָ֑ב
shall be of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
10 of 15
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְיָֽצַקְתָּ֣
and thou shalt cast
H3332
וְיָֽצַקְתָּ֣
and thou shalt cast
Strong's:
H3332
Word #:
11 of 15
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
Historical Context
These five pillars created a 10-cubit-wide entrance (five pillars at 1.5 cubits each, plus spaces). The bronze sockets distinguished this threshold from the interior's silver sockets, marking the boundary between common and holy space.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Christ bear judgment (bronze) at the threshold to provide redemption (silver) within?
- What does entering by grace (five pillars) rather than merit mean for your access to God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Five pillars of acacia overlaid with gold support the door hanging, with golden hooks and bronze sockets. Five suggests grace—entrance comes by grace. The shift from silver sockets (inside) to bronze sockets (at the door) shows that entrance requires judgment borne (bronze) before experiencing redemption's full benefits (silver inside). Christ bore judgment (bronze) at entry to provide redemption (silver) within. The pillars' gold overlay shows divine provision enables entrance.