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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 26:31–37.
Two veils are here ordered to be made, 1. One for a partition between the holy place and the most holy, which not only forbade any to enter, but forbade them so much as to look into the holiest of all, Exo 26:31, Exo 26:33. Under that dispensation, divine grace was veiled, but now we behold it with open face, Co2 3:18. The apostle tells us (Heb 9:8, Heb 9:9) what was the meaning of this veil; it intimated that the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing; life and immortality lay concealed till they were brought to light by the gospel, which was therefore signified by the rending of this veil at the death of Christ, Mat 27:51. We have not boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of devotion, by the blood of Jesus, yet such as obliges us to a holy reverence and a humble sense of our distance. 2. Another veil was for the outer door of the tabernacle, Exo 26:36, Exo 26:37. Through this first veil the priests went in every day to minister in the holy place, but not the people, Heb 9:6. This veil, which was all the defence the tabernacle had against thieves and robbers, might easily be broken through, for it could be neither locked nor barred, and the abundance of wealth in the tabernacle, one would think, might be a temptation; but by leaving it thus exposed, (1.) The priests and Levites would be so much the more obliged to keep a strict watch upon it, and, (2.) God would show his care of his church on earth, though it is weak and defenceless, and continually exposed. A curtain shall be (if God please to make it so) as strong a defence to his house as gates of brass and bars of iron.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
The tabernacle is a type of the church. So God says to Moses that the bases of the four pillars placed within it should be silver. What does silver mean except the clarity of the divine Word? Scripture says, “The words of the Lord are chaste words, silver tried by fire, cleansed from earth.” The bases are overlaid with silver and hold up the four pillars of the tabernacle, just as the preachers of the church are adorned with divine eloquence. They provide an example in every way; they have the words of the four Evangelists on their lips and in their deeds. Exposition of the Old and New Testament, Exodus
The tabernacle is a type of the church. So God says to Moses that the bases of the four pillars placed within it should be silver. What does silver mean except the clarity of the divine Word? Scripture says, “The words of the Lord are chaste words, silver tried by fire, cleansed from earth.” The bases are overlaid with silver and hold up the four pillars of the tabernacle, just as the preachers of the church are adorned with divine eloquence. They provide an example in every way; they have the words of the four Evangelists on their lips and in their deeds.
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Summary
Exodus 26:32 provides meticulous architectural specifications for the Tabernacle, detailing the four pillars crafted from durable acacia wood, meticulously overlaid with pure gold, and securely set into silver sockets. These pillars were designed to support the magnificent veil, which served as the sacred barrier separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This intricate divine blueprint underscores God's absolute holiness, the profound sacredness of His presence, and the precise, reverent approach required for communion with Him, all profoundly communicated through the deliberate selection and combination of precious materials.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is an integral part of God's extensive and highly detailed instructions to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for Israel's wilderness journey. Immediately preceding it, Exodus 26:31 describes the magnificent design of the veil itself, specifying its materials (blue, purple, scarlet yarn, and fine twined linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it). Following Exodus 26:32, Exodus 26:33 clarifies the veil's profound purpose: to divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and to screen the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the Testimony. Thus, Exodus 26:32 precisely positions the structural support for the most significant barrier within the Tabernacle, demarcating the sacred space of God's immediate presence.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Tabernacle was God's tangible presence among the Israelites during their nomadic period after the Exodus from Egypt. It served as the central hub for Israelite worship, sacrifice, and communion with God, fulfilling the divine command given in Exodus 25:8: "Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." The entire structure, including the pillars and veil, was a stark visual reminder of God's absolute holiness and the necessary separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The use of specific materials like "shittim wood" (acacia) was practical, as it was readily available in the Sinai desert and known for its durability, but also deeply symbolic, representing resilience and purity. The overlaying with gold and the use of silver sockets were not merely aesthetic but conveyed immense divine value, glory, and the concept of atonement, as silver often symbolized redemption in the Tabernacle's context (e.g., the atonement money in Exodus 30:16).
Key Themes
Exodus 26:32 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the Tabernacle instructions and the book of Exodus. Foremost is the theme of Divine Holiness and Separation, emphasized by the veil and its supporting pillars, which delineate the sacred space of God's presence. Related to this is the theme of God's Presence Among His People, as the Tabernacle was designed to be the dwelling place of Yahweh, enabling Him to be near Israel. The meticulous details highlight the theme of Divine Order and Perfection, demonstrating God's precise requirements for worship and the construction of His sanctuary. Finally, the use of precious materials like gold and silver underscores the themes of Glory and Redemption, signifying the immense value of God's presence and the means by which a sinful people could approach a holy God, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption found in Christ.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This refers to acacia wood, specifically Acacia seyal or Acacia tortilis, which was abundant in the Sinai peninsula. As indicated by its root, it is a hard, durable, and decay-resistant wood, making it an ideal choice for the Tabernacle's structural components, particularly in the harsh desert environment. Symbolically, its uncorruptible nature points to the enduring and unchangeable character of God's dwelling and His covenant.
This primitive root means "to sheet over," especially with metal, implying a complete covering or plating. In the context of the Tabernacle, it signifies that the base material (wood) is entirely concealed and transformed by the precious metal (gold). This action emphasizes the sanctification and consecration of the ordinary by the divine, reflecting that everything associated with God's presence must be purified, set apart, and adorned with His glory and holiness.
Derived from a root meaning "strength," this term refers to a basis, foundation, or pedestal. In the Tabernacle, these sockets were typically made of silver, often derived from the half-shekel atonement money (as seen in Exodus 38:27). The silver sockets thus provided a stable and redemptive foundation for the gold-covered pillars, suggesting that access to God's glory and presence is firmly rooted in divine provision and atonement.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim [wood] overlaid with gold:"
This clause specifies the number and material of the pillars supporting the veil. The "it" refers to the veil described in the preceding verse. The use of "shittim wood" (acacia) signifies durability and the natural, earthly element, while being "overlaid with gold" speaks to the divine glory, purity, and sacredness that must characterize everything associated with God's dwelling. The wood, representing the ordinary, is completely covered and transformed by the gold, representing the divine, indicating that God's presence sanctifies and glorifies.
"their hooks [shall be of] gold,"
This detail indicates that the fasteners from which the veil would hang were also made of gold. This further emphasizes the preciousness and sacredness of every component related to the veil, ensuring that even the smallest functional parts reflected the divine glory and purity of the Most Holy Place. It underscores that every aspect of God's dwelling must be consecrated and set apart for His holy purposes.
"upon the four sockets of silver."
This final clause describes the foundational support for the pillars. The pillars rested upon four bases made of silver. As silver in the Tabernacle often symbolizes redemption or atonement (e.g., the census money in Exodus 30:11-16), these silver sockets suggest that the very foundation of access to God's presence, even through a veiled separation, is grounded in God's redemptive provision, highlighting that any approach to God must be on the basis of atonement.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its theological meaning. Symbolism is paramount, with each material carrying profound theological weight: the durable shittim wood symbolizes endurance, uncorruptibility, and the natural, human element; gold represents divine glory, purity, and deity, completely transforming and glorifying the wood; and silver signifies redemption and atonement, providing the foundational support for access to God. The act of "overlaid with gold" is a form of Metonymy, where the material (gold) stands for the divine presence, holiness, and glory it signifies. Furthermore, the entire structure, including these pillars and the veil they support, functions as Typology, foreshadowing a greater spiritual reality. It points forward to the ultimate means of access to God's presence, which would later be provided through Christ, who is the true and living way into the Most Holy Place. The meticulous detail itself serves as a Didactic element, teaching Israel about God's perfect order, His absolute holiness, and the seriousness and reverence required in approaching Him.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 26:32 powerfully conveys the themes of divine holiness, the sacredness of God's presence, and the meticulous care required in approaching Him. The elaborate design and precious materials underscore the absolute transcendence of God and the necessary separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. Every detail, from the durable wood to the transforming gold and the redemptive silver, works in concert to communicate the profound truth that God's dwelling place is utterly distinct and demands reverence. This separation, while seemingly restrictive, was a gracious provision to protect a sinful people from the consuming holiness of God, while simultaneously pointing to the ultimate solution for bridging this chasm.
Reflection and Application
The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle, down to the very pillars and their materials, serve as a profound testament to God's character and His desire for relationship with humanity, albeit on His terms. The veil, supported by these gold-covered pillars on silver sockets, was a constant, tangible reminder of the barrier sin created between us and a holy God. It teaches us that access to God is not casual or earned, but divinely ordained and provided. Reflecting on these details should cultivate a deep sense of reverence for God's holiness and gratitude for the means by which He has made Himself accessible. It prompts us to consider the profound cost of our redemption and the privilege we now have to draw near to Him, not through a physical veil, but through the torn flesh of Christ, our ultimate High Priest and the Way.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the veil that these pillars supported?
The veil, supported by these four gold-covered pillars, served as a crucial physical and symbolic barrier within the Tabernacle. Its primary purpose was to separate the Holy Place, where priests performed daily rituals, from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), which housed the Ark of the Covenant and was considered the very dwelling place of God's immediate presence. This separation underscored God's absolute holiness and the inaccessibility of His presence to sinful humanity, with only the High Priest permitted to enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2). The veil thus protected the people from God's consuming holiness and emphasized that access to His intimate presence was strictly regulated and profoundly sacred.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 26:32, with its description of the gold-overlaid pillars supporting the veil, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The veil, a stark symbol of separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, pointed forward to the day when that barrier would be removed. The durable "shittim wood" overlaid with "gold" powerfully foreshadows Christ's dual nature—His uncorruptible humanity (symbolized by the enduring wood) fully indwelt and glorified by His divinity (represented by the pure gold). The "silver sockets," representing atonement, beautifully prefigure the redemptive work of Christ, whose sacrifice is the very foundation upon which our access to God is established. At Jesus' death on the cross, the veil in the Temple was miraculously torn in two from top to bottom, signifying that the way into God's presence was now fully opened. As the author of Hebrews declares, Christ, our great High Priest, entered the true Most Holy Place "through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands... not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:11-12). Therefore, the physical pillars and veil of Exodus 26:32 serve as a powerful type, pointing to Jesus Christ, who, by His perfect sacrifice, became our new and living way into the very presence of God, granting us boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus Hebrews 10:19-20.