Exodus 36:26
And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
Original Language Analysis
כָּ֑סֶף
of silver
H3701
כָּ֑סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
3 of 13
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
תַּ֚חַת
H8478
תַּ֚חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
6 of 13
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃
under another
H259
הָֽאֶחָֽד׃
under another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
תַּ֖חַת
H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
11 of 13
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the universal foundation of redemption-silver (all sides equally supported) illustrate the sufficiency of Christ's atonement?
- What does the identical foundation across all sides teach about the consistency of salvation across different contexts and peoples?
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Analysis & 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.