Exodus 27:17

KJV

All the pillars round about the court [shall be] filleted with silver; their hooks [shall be of] silver, and their sockets [of] brass.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the pillars {H5982} round about {H5439} the court {H2691} shall be filleted {H2836} with silver {H3701}; their hooks {H2053} shall be of silver {H3701}, and their sockets {H134} of brass {H5178}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the posts all the way around the courtyard are to be banded with silver and to stand in sockets of bronze.

Berean Standard Bible

All the posts around the courtyard shall have silver bands, silver hooks, and bronze bases.

American Standard Version

All the pillars of the court round about shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of brass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:17 meticulously outlines the specific materials for the pillars of the Tabernacle's outer court, stipulating that the connecting bands and hooks be made of silver, and their foundational sockets of brass. This precise divine instruction underscores God's meticulous attention to detail in the design of His dwelling place, revealing the profound symbolic significance of each material in establishing a holy, accessible, yet reverent space for His people during their wilderness journey, communicating principles of purity, redemption, and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 27:17 is situated within a detailed block of instructions (Exodus 25-31) concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, God's portable sanctuary. Specifically, it falls within the description of the Tabernacle's outer court (Exodus 27:9-19), which serves as the primary entryway for worshippers. This section immediately follows the detailed specifications for the [Altar of Burnt Offering](/exodus/27-1-8 "Exodus 27:1-8 - The Altar of Burnt Offering") and its utensils, which stood prominently within this very court. The narrative then transitions to instructions regarding the oil for the lampstand ([Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20-21 "Exodus 27:20-21 - Oil for the Lampstand")) and the priestly garments ([Exodus 28](/exodus/28 "Exodus 28 - Priestly Garments")). Thus, Exodus 27:17 is an integral part of God's comprehensive blueprint for worship, moving from the outermost boundaries inward, emphasizing the divine precision required for approaching a holy God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle was commissioned by Yahweh as a tangible symbol of His presence among the Israelites during their forty years of wilderness wanderings after their [deliverance from Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). As a nomadic people, a portable sanctuary was essential, and its construction involved the finest craftsmanship and precious materials, often contributed by the people themselves as freewill offerings, as detailed in [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20-29 "Exodus 35:20-29 - Freewill Offerings for the Tabernacle"). The outer court, described in this passage, functioned as the initial sacred boundary, demarcating the holy space from the common ground of the Israelite camp. Its design, including the specific materials for its sixty pillars, communicated the sanctity of God's dwelling and the necessary reverence for approaching Him. The selection of silver and brass (bronze) was not arbitrary; these metals held significant symbolic weight in ancient Near Eastern cultures and, more importantly, within the divinely revealed theological framework of the Tabernacle, setting it apart as a unique and consecrated space.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights God's **holiness and transcendence**, demonstrating that His dwelling place must be set apart and approached with reverence, not casually. The meticulous details underscore God's **sovereignty and intentionality**, revealing that every aspect of worship is divinely ordained. Furthermore, the specific materials, particularly silver and brass, introduce the themes of **redemption and judgment**. Silver often symbolizes purity and atonement, while brass is frequently associated with judgment and strength in the Tabernacle's design, as seen with the [Altar of Burnt Offering](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - The Altar of Burnt Offering"). These themes collectively teach Israel about the nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the divinely provided means of reconciliation and access to His presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Filleted (Hebrew, _châshaq'_):** This word (H2836) means "to cling, i.e. join, (figuratively) to love, delight in." In the context of the Tabernacle, it refers to the connecting bands or decorative overlays that "joined" or "bound" the pillars. The KJV's "filleted" suggests these were bands or rods. The root implies a strong attachment or connection, emphasizing the precise and secure nature of the Tabernacle's construction. The silver material for these fillets highlights the preciousness and purity of the bonds within God's sacred space.
* **Silver (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** This term (H3701) refers to "silver (from its pale color); by implication, money." Throughout the Old Testament, silver frequently symbolizes redemption, purification, and divine payment, as notably seen in the [half-shekel atonement money](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Money") required for the census. Its use for the fillets and hooks of the court pillars suggests that even the outer boundary of God's dwelling is marked by purity and the principle of redemption, signifying the holy character of the space and those who approach it.
* **Brass (Hebrew, _nᵉchôsheth'_):** More accurately translated as "bronze" in ancient contexts, this metal (H5178) signifies "copper, hence, something made of that metal; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)." In the Tabernacle, bronze is consistently associated with judgment, strength, and durability. The [Altar of Burnt Offering](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - The Altar of Burnt Offering"), where sin was atoned for through sacrifice, was made of bronze. Its application to the sockets (bases) of the pillars signifies that the very foundation upon which access to God's presence rests is the basis of divine judgment and the need for atonement for sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the pillars round about the court [shall be] filleted with silver":** This clause specifies the material for the connecting elements or decorative bands of the sixty pillars that formed the perimeter of the outer court. The use of silver here signifies the purity, preciousness, and redemptive nature of the sacred boundary. It implies that even the structural integrity and aesthetic details of the outer court were to reflect divine standards, pointing to the holy nature of the space and the redeemed character required for entry. The "fillets" (bands) served to bind the pillars, perhaps connecting them to the curtains or to each other, emphasizing unity and divine order.
* **"their hooks [shall be of] silver":** These hooks (H2053, _vâv'_) were essential for attaching the fine linen curtains that formed the "walls" of the outer court to the pillars. The silver composition of the hooks further emphasizes the theme of purity and value. Every point of connection within God's sacred space, even at its outermost boundary, was to be made of a precious metal associated with redemption, underscoring the divine standard of holiness that permeated the entire Tabernacle structure and the necessity of a pure connection to God's presence.
* **"and their sockets [of] brass":** The sockets (H134, _ʼeden'_) refer to the heavy bases or foundations into which the wooden pillars were set, providing stability and support. The use of brass (bronze) for these foundational elements is highly significant. Bronze, being heavy, durable, and resistant to corrosion, symbolizes strength and, more profoundly, divine judgment. This indicates that the very foundation of access to God's presence, even in the outer court, rests upon the principle of divine judgment against sin and the need for atonement, which was typically dealt with at the Altar of Burnt Offering, also made of bronze. The weight of the bronze sockets also ensured the stability of the entire structure against the desert winds.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 27:17, and indeed throughout the Tabernacle's description, is **Symbolism**. Each material, color, and dimension is imbued with profound theological meaning beyond its literal function. The **Symbolism** of silver representing redemption, purity, and divine payment, and brass (bronze) representing judgment, strength, and the consequences of sin, is central to understanding this verse. The precise placement of these materials—silver for the upper, connecting elements (fillets and hooks) and brass for the foundational sockets—itself carries symbolic weight, suggesting that while access to God's presence is founded upon the reality of divine judgment, it is ultimately facilitated by a gracious provision of purity and redemption. This meticulous detail also demonstrates a form of **Merism**, where the specific components (fillets, hooks, sockets) are detailed to emphasize the comprehensive holiness and divine order of the entire Tabernacle court. The detailed enumeration of materials also serves as a form of **Didactic Instruction**, teaching the Israelites profound theological truths through tangible objects.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 27:17, through its meticulous instruction on materials, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and the nature of access to His presence. It underscores God's absolute holiness, demanding a precise and divinely ordained approach. The combination of silver (purity, redemption) and brass (judgment, strength) in the very structure of the outer court encapsulates the dual reality of God's justice and His gracious provision for atonement. Access to God is not casual or arbitrary; it is founded on the recognition of sin and the necessity of divine judgment, yet it is made possible through a pathway of purity and redemption. This verse highlights that every detail of God's dwelling place was intentionally designed to teach Israel about His nature and the conditions for fellowship with Him, foreshadowing the ultimate means of reconciliation.

* [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Money") – The use of silver for the "atonement money" reinforces its symbolic connection to redemption and the ransom of lives, a theme echoed in the court's silver components.
* [Exodus 27:1](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - The Altar of Burnt Offering") – The Altar of Burnt Offering, made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze, demonstrates the consistent association of bronze with judgment, sacrifice, and the dealing with sin.
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ, High Priest of a Greater Tabernacle") – The Tabernacle's design and materials prefigure a greater reality, pointing to Christ as the fulfillment of its symbolic meaning, providing a superior and eternal purification.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 27:17, though seemingly a technical architectural detail, offers rich spiritual insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and profound intentionality, even in the smallest elements of His divine plan. The Tabernacle's outer court, with its silver-adorned pillars resting on bronze sockets, serves as a powerful visual metaphor for our own approach to God. We are reminded that our access to God is not based on our own merit or casual presumption but is profoundly founded upon the reality of God's righteous judgment against sin (represented by brass/bronze) and made possible through His gracious provision of redemption and purification (represented by silver). This should cultivate in us a deep reverence for God's holiness and a profound gratitude for the pathway He has provided. It calls us to consider the "materials" of our own spiritual lives—are they built on the solid foundation of God's truth, adorned with the purity of Christ, and reflective of His meticulous design for us? Our lives, like the Tabernacle, are meant to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), and this verse encourages us to live with intentionality, recognizing the gravity of sin and the glory of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in God's instructions for the Tabernacle, even down to the materials for the pillars, speak to His character and His expectations for our worship today?**
* **In what ways does the symbolism of silver (redemption/purity) and brass/bronze (judgment/strength) in Exodus 27:17 illuminate the nature of our access to God, both then and now?**
* **How can we, as New Testament believers, apply the principle of "holiness in detail" from the Tabernacle's construction to our daily lives, spiritual practices, and the way we approach God?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific metals—silver and brass (bronze)—chosen for the pillars of the outer court?**

Answer: The choice of silver and brass (bronze) was highly symbolic and intentional, communicating profound theological truths. Brass (bronze) was a common and durable metal, but in the Tabernacle, it consistently symbolizes divine judgment, strength, and the consequences of sin. For instance, the [Altar of Burnt Offering](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - The Altar of Burnt Offering"), where sin was atoned for through sacrifice, was covered with bronze. Its use for the sockets (bases) of the pillars indicates that the very foundation of access to God's presence rests upon the reality of judgment against sin. Silver, on the other hand, often symbolizes redemption, purification, and divine payment, notably seen in the [half-shekel atonement money](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Money") required for the census. Its use for the fillets and hooks suggests that while judgment is foundational, access is ultimately facilitated by a divine provision of purity and redemption. Together, these metals communicate a profound theological truth about the nature of approaching a holy God: it requires an understanding of His righteous judgment and relies upon His gracious provision for atonement and purification.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 27:17, with its precise specifications for the Tabernacle's outer court pillars, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The brass (bronze) sockets, symbolizing divine judgment, powerfully prefigure Christ's bearing of God's righteous judgment against sin on the cross. He became the ultimate [Altar of Burnt Offering](/hebrews/13-10 "Hebrews 13:10 - We have an altar"), taking upon Himself the wrath due to humanity, enduring the full weight of divine justice. The silver fillets and hooks, representing purity, redemption, and the preciousness of connection, point directly to Christ's precious blood, which purifies us and provides the means of access to God. Just as the Tabernacle's outer court was the initial boundary for worshippers, Christ is the [only way to the Father](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life") and the new and living way into God's presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). He is our perfect boundary and our perfect access. Through His sacrifice, we are not merely "filleted with silver" but are fully redeemed and made pure ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed with Precious Blood")), allowing us to enter God's presence with confidence, having been justified by His grace and propitiated by His blood ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ's Propitiation")). The temporary and symbolic structure of the Tabernacle thus points to the eternal and complete work of Christ, who perfectly embodies God's holiness, satisfies His judgment, and provides His redemptive love.

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.