Exodus 26:17

Two tenons [shall there be] in one board, set in order one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

Two {H8147} tenons {H3027} shall there be in one {H259} board {H7175}, set in order {H7947} one {H802} against another {H269}: thus shalt thou make {H6213} for all the boards {H7175} of the tabernacle {H4908}.

There are to be two projections on each plank, and the planks are to be joined one to another. That is how you are to make all the planks for the tabernacle.

Two tenons must be connected to each other for each frame. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.

Two tenons shall there be in each board, joined one to another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle.

Commentary

Exodus 26:17 provides a specific architectural detail for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites. This verse focuses on the precise joinery required for the wooden boards that formed the walls of this sacred structure.

Context

This verse is part of an extended passage in Exodus (chapters 25-31) where God gives Moses highly detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Following commands for the curtains and coverings, verses 15-30 of Exodus 26 describe the wooden framework—specifically the acacia wood boards (shittim wood) that would form the upright walls. The Tabernacle was not merely a tent but a carefully engineered structure, designed to be assembled and disassembled as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. The instructions, including this detail about the tenons, underscore God's meticulous care in preparing a holy dwelling place for His presence, as first commanded in Exodus 25:8, "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The command for "two tenons...set in order one against another" highlights God's demand for exactness and order in worship and service. Every component, no matter how small, was specified with purpose to ensure structural integrity and symbolic perfection. This level of detail emphasizes that God is a God of order, not confusion.
  • Strength and Stability: The tenons, essentially interlocking projections, were crucial for creating a robust and stable wall system. They fit into corresponding silver sockets (mentioned in Exodus 26:19), ensuring the heavy boards stood firm. This physical stability was vital for a portable sanctuary that would endure journeys and weather conditions.
  • Unity in Construction: The uniformity implied by "thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle" speaks to the necessity of consistency and unity in building God's dwelling. Each board, though distinct, had identical features to ensure a perfect fit, symbolizing the harmonious cooperation required in sacred service.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "tenons" is yadot (יָדֹת), which literally means "hands" or "supports." This imagery is apt, as these projections acted like hands, grasping and supporting the adjacent boards to form a unified wall. The term underscores their functional role in providing stability and connection, ensuring that the entire structure was firmly knit together.

Practical Application

While Exodus 26:17 describes a physical construction, its principles resonate spiritually. Just as the Tabernacle required precise, interlocking parts for stability, so too does the spiritual "house" God is building today—His church. Each believer is a vital part, called to be properly "fitted" and connected, as described in passages like Ephesians 2:21-22, where believers are built together into a holy temple in the Lord. This verse reminds us that God cares about the details of our service and our relationships within the body of Christ. When each part is carefully aligned and connected according to His design, the whole structure—whether a physical sanctuary or a spiritual community—stands strong and unified, suitable for God's presence.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Exodus 26:19

    And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.

  • Exodus 36:22

    One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
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