Exodus 36:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
כֶ֔סֶף
of silver
H3701
כֶ֔סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
3 of 21
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
עָשָׂ֕ה
he made
H6213
עָשָׂ֕ה
he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תַּ֖חַת
H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
10 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
under another
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
under another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יְדֹתָֽיו׃
tenons
H3027
יְדֹתָֽיו׃
tenons
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 21
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
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
17 of 21
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
under another
H259
הָֽאֶחָ֖ד
under another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the theological significance of the tabernacle's foundation being made from atonement silver?
- How does standing on redemption-silver illustrate believers' security in Christ's purchased salvation?
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Analysis & 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.