Exodus 36:32
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.
Original Language Analysis
לְקַרְשֵׁ֣י
for the boards
H7175
לְקַרְשֵׁ֣י
for the boards
Strong's:
H7175
Word #:
3 of 12
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship
צֶֽלַע
side
H6763
צֶֽלַע
side
Strong's:
H6763
Word #:
4 of 12
a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e., leaf); hence, a side, literally (of a person) or figuratively (of an obje
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
5 of 12
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית
of the other
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑ית
of the other
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
לְקַרְשֵׁ֣י
for the boards
H7175
לְקַרְשֵׁ֣י
for the boards
Strong's:
H7175
Word #:
9 of 12
a slab or plank; by implication, a deck of a ship
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
10 of 12
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
Historical Context
The five bars likely ran at different heights across each side, providing multiple points of lateral support. This redundant binding ensured stability even if one bar loosened or broke—demonstrating thoughtful engineering for a portable structure subjected to repeated assembly.
Questions for Reflection
- What might the number five (often representing grace) for the bars teach about the source of unity in God's house?
- How does systematic, ordered connection (five bars per side) challenge haphazard approaches to Christian community?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Five bars for each side (north, south) demonstrate systematic connection—not random or haphazard, but ordered and complete. The number five often represents grace in Scripture (five fingers, five senses, five offerings in Leviticus). These grace-bars binding God's house together suggest that genuine unity comes through divine grace, not human effort. The symmetry (five per side) emphasizes God's consistent pattern across all aspects of His dwelling.