(The Lord speaking is red text)
And their forty sockets [of] silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
and their forty silver sockets, two sockets under one plank and two under another.
and forty silver bases—two bases under each frame.
and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
And their forty{H705} sockets{H134} of silver{H3701}; two{H8147} sockets{H134} under one{H259} board{H7175}, and two{H8147} sockets{H134} under another{H259} board{H7175}.
1. Themes:
- Divine Precision: The detailed instructions for the tabernacle, including the specific number of sockets and their arrangement, emphasize the importance of following God's blueprint precisely.
- Material Sacrifice: The use of silver sockets reflects the value and costliness of the materials dedicated to the worship of God, indicating a sacrificial offering by the Israelites.
- Sanctuary as a Holy Space: The meticulous construction of the tabernacle underscores its role as a sacred space where God would dwell among His people.
2. Historical Context:
- Exodus 26:21 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was to serve as a portable sanctuary for the worship of God during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.
- The silver sockets mentioned in this verse were to be used as a foundation for the boards that made up the walls of the Tabernacle. Each board had two sockets, emphasizing stability and balance in the structure.
- Silver in the Ancient Near East was a precious metal, used for trade and as a sign of wealth. Its use in the tabernacle's construction signified the Israelites' valuing of their relationship with God and their willingness to give of their finest resources for sacred purposes.
- The number forty has symbolic significance throughout the Bible, often associated with trials, testing, or completeness. In this context, it may also reflect the wholeness or integrity of the tabernacle's structure.
- The tabernacle was a central aspect of Israelite worship until the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon, which then became the primary location for worship and sacrifices.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)