Exodus 26:32

KJV

And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim [wood] overlaid with gold: their hooks [shall be of] gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt hang {H5414} it upon four {H702} pillars {H5982} of shittim {H7848} wood overlaid {H6823} with gold {H2091}: their hooks {H2053} shall be of gold {H2091}, upon the four {H702} sockets {H134} of silver {H3701}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hang it with gold hooks on four acacia-wood posts overlaid with gold and standing in four silver sockets.

Berean Standard Bible

Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.

American Standard Version

and thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, upon four sockets of silver.

Commentary

### 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](/exodus/26-31 "Exodus 26:31 - The Veil's Design") 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/26-32 "Exodus 26:32 - Pillars for the Veil"), [Exodus 26:33](/exodus/26-33 "Exodus 26:33 - Veil's Placement and Purpose") 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](/exodus/26-32 "Exodus 26:32 - Pillars for the Veil") 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](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary"): "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](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Atonement Money")).
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 26:32](/exodus/26-32 "Exodus 26:32 - Pillars for the Veil") 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
* **Shittim (Hebrew, _shiṭṭâh'_):** 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.
* **Overlaid (Hebrew, _tsâphâh'_):** 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.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, _ʼeden'_):** 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](/exodus/38-27 "Exodus 38:27 - Silver from the Atonement Money")). 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](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Atonement Money")), 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.

* [Exodus 29:43](/exodus/29-43 "God's Promise to Meet Israel")
* [Leviticus 16:2](/leviticus/16-2 "Aaron's Entry into the Most Holy Place")
* [Hebrews 9:8](/hebrews/9-8 "The Holy Spirit's Indication Regarding Access")

### 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
* **How does the meticulous detail in the Tabernacle's construction, such as these pillars, inform your understanding of God's character and His expectations for worship?**
* **In what ways do the symbolic meanings of gold (divine glory) and silver (redemption) in this verse deepen your appreciation for God's provision for humanity's access to Him?**
* **Considering the veil's purpose, how does this ancient barrier challenge or affirm your understanding of the relationship between God's holiness and human sinfulness, and the ultimate solution provided in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of the veil that these pillars supported?**

Answer: 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](/leviticus/16-2 "Leviticus 16:2 - Aaron's Entry into the Most Holy Place")). 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](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil"), 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](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Therefore, the physical pillars and veil of [Exodus 26:32](/exodus/26-32 "Exodus 26:32 - Pillars for the Veil") 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](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Our Boldness to Enter God's Presence").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Esther 1:6

[Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

Exodus 26:37

And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlay them with gold, [and] their hooks [shall be of] gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Exodus 36:38

And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets [were of] brass.