What number verse is Exodus 35:18 in the Bible?

Exodus 35:18 is the 2,550th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Exodus 35:18 sits at position 2,550.

Translation

King James Version

The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,

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KJV (with Strong's)

The pins ^H3489 of the tabernacle ^H4908, and the pins ^H3489 of the court ^H2691, and their cords ^H4340,

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Complete Jewish Bible

the tent pegs for the tabernacle; the tent pegs for the courtyard, with their ropes;

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Berean Standard Bible

the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, along with their ropes;

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American Standard Version

the pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords;

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World English Bible Messianic

the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords;

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Geneva Bible (1599)

The pinnes of the Tabernacle, and the pinnes of the court with their cordes,

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Young's Literal Translation

`The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Exodus 35:18 meticulously details "The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords," highlighting seemingly minor yet absolutely critical components for the stability and integrity of God's dwelling place among Israel. This concise verse underscores the divine precision and thoroughness inherent in God's blueprint for the Tabernacle, revealing that every element, no matter how small, was essential for its structure, function, and symbolic significance as the secure presence of the Lord amidst His nomadic people.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Exodus 35:18 is situated within the broader narrative of Exodus 35, which marks a pivotal moment of renewed covenant commitment following the catastrophic incident of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32. After Moses' intercession and God's renewed instructions, chapter 35 details the call for freewill offerings and the designation of skilled artisans (Bezaleel and Aholiab) for the construction of the Tabernacle. This verse is part of an exhaustive list of materials and components required for the sanctuary and its surrounding court, reiterating the divine blueprint first given to Moses on Mount Sinai in chapters like Exodus 25. The inclusion of "pins" and "cords" among more prominent items like the Ark, table, and lampstand emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's design, where every piece contributes to the whole.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Israelites were a nomadic people, journeying through the wilderness. Their daily lives were characterized by tent-dwelling, making them intimately familiar with the necessity of sturdy tent pegs (pins) and ropes (cords) for securing their temporary shelters against the unpredictable desert winds and terrain. The Tabernacle, as God's portable sanctuary, was designed to be disassembled, transported, and reassembled, mirroring their transient existence. Therefore, the "pins" (Hebrew: yâthêd) and "cords" (Hebrew: mêythâr) were not merely optional accessories but vital engineering components that ensured the structural integrity and stability of both the main tent of meeting and its surrounding courtyard enclosure. Their inclusion highlights the practical wisdom embedded in the divine instructions, ensuring that God's dwelling place was not only sacred but also physically secure and functional in a challenging environment.
Key Themes: This verse, by focusing on foundational elements, contributes significantly to several key themes within Exodus. It reinforces the theme of Divine Order and Meticulousness, demonstrating God's precise and comprehensive plan for His dwelling place, where no detail is overlooked. It also speaks to the theme of God's Presence Among His People, as the Tabernacle's stability ensured a secure and enduring sanctuary for the Lord in the midst of Israel's journey. Furthermore, it subtly highlights the theme of Holiness and Separation, as the securely anchored courtyard defined the sacred space, distinguishing it from the common ground, a concept echoed in the call for Israel to be a holy nation. The emphasis on every part's necessity also foreshadows the later New Testament understanding of the interdependence of the body of Christ.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Pins (Hebrew, yâthêd', H3489): From an unused root meaning to pin through or fast, this term refers to a peg, nail, paddle, or stake. In the context of the Tabernacle, these were likely bronze pegs (as indicated in Exodus 38:20) driven into the ground to anchor the various curtains, frames, and posts of both the Tabernacle proper and its surrounding court. The yâthêd signifies stability, security, and the firm establishment of a structure, essential for a portable sanctuary in the wilderness.
Tabernacle (Hebrew, mishkân', H4908): From the root meaning "to dwell," mishkân denotes a residence, dwelling place, or tent. Specifically, it refers to the Tabernacle, properly its wooden walls. This term emphasizes the temporary, portable nature of God's dwelling place among His people, contrasting with a permanent temple. The pins were crucial for securing this divine residence, ensuring its integrity as the physical manifestation of God's presence.
Cords (Hebrew, mêythâr', H4340): From a root meaning "to remain over" or "to be left over," this word refers to a cord (of a tent) or the string (of a bow). In the Tabernacle's construction, these cords would have been attached to the curtains and posts, then stretched taut and fastened to the yâthêd (pins) in the ground. The mêythâr provides tension, ensuring the curtains remain upright and the structure withstands external forces, symbolizing connection, support, and the integrity of the whole.

Verse Breakdown

"The pins of the tabernacle": This phrase refers to the ground anchors specifically designed for the main tent structure itself, which housed the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. These pins were crucial for securing the wooden framework and the heavy coverings, ensuring the stability of God's immediate dwelling among His people against wind and movement.
"and the pins of the court": This specifies the pegs used for the outer enclosure, the courtyard that surrounded the Tabernacle. This court was defined by linen curtains held up by pillars, and these pins provided the necessary ground anchorage for those pillars and curtains, delineating the sacred space from the common ground and maintaining the perimeter.
"and their cords": This phrase encompasses the ropes or ties that connected the various elements (curtains, posts, frames) to the pins driven into the ground. The cords provided the essential tension and connection, distributing the load and ensuring that the entire complex—both the Tabernacle and its court—remained taut, secure, and resistant to environmental factors, thus maintaining its structural integrity.

Literary Devices

Exodus 35:18, though a simple enumeration, employs several subtle literary devices. The primary device is Emphasis through Detail, where the inclusion of seemingly minor components like "pins" and "cords" alongside more prominent items underscores the divine meticulousness and the absolute necessity of every part in God's grand design. This detailed listing serves to highlight that no element of God's plan is insignificant. There is also an element of Synecdoche, where "pins" and "cords" stand in for the entire anchoring system, representing the foundational stability and security of the Tabernacle complex. Furthermore, the physical stability provided by these elements functions as Symbolism, pointing to the spiritual security and steadfast presence of God among His people, and the secure nature of His covenant relationship, even in their transient wilderness journey.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse, in its meticulous detail, powerfully conveys God's nature as a God of order, precision, and thoroughness. His divine blueprint for the Tabernacle, down to the smallest "pin" and "cord," reveals that every aspect of His will and purpose is carefully considered and holds intrinsic value. This theological truth extends beyond the Tabernacle's physical construction, teaching us that in God's economy, no detail is insignificant, and the integrity of the whole often depends on the integrity and proper function of its seemingly minor parts. This principle finds resonance in the New Testament understanding of the church as the body of Christ, where every member, regardless of perceived prominence, is indispensable for the health and stability of the whole.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Exodus 35:18, though a technical detail, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with the "small things" in our lives and service. Just as the Tabernacle's stability depended on its humble pins and cords, our spiritual lives and the collective body of Christ depend on the faithful execution of seemingly minor tasks and the valuing of every individual's contribution. This calls us to cultivate diligence and excellence in all areas, recognizing that even the most inconspicuous acts of obedience or service contribute to the greater whole of God's kingdom. Furthermore, it prompts us to reflect on the "pins and cords" of our own faith—the foundational truths, consistent spiritual disciplines, and steadfast reliance on God's Word—that provide stability and security when the storms of life inevitably come.

Questions for Reflection

In what areas of my life or service do I tend to overlook "small" details, and how might God be calling me to greater faithfulness in them?
How does understanding the importance of every component in the Tabernacle help me appreciate the unique and vital role of every member in the body of Christ?
What "pins and cords"—spiritual disciplines, foundational truths, or relationships—are essential for the stability of my faith, especially during times of challenge?

FAQ

Why are such seemingly minor details like "pins and cords" included in God's instructions for the Tabernacle?

Answer: The inclusion of "pins" and "cords" underscores several critical points. First, it highlights God's absolute meticulousness and thoroughness in His divine blueprint. Nothing in His plan is left to chance or deemed insignificant. Second, these components were functionally essential for the Tabernacle's stability and integrity, especially given its portable nature and the harsh desert environment. Without them, the entire structure would collapse. Third, it teaches a theological principle: the strength and stability of the whole depend on the proper function and presence of every part, no matter how humble. This foreshadows the intricate design of creation and the interdependence of the body of Christ.

What is the significance of the Tabernacle being a portable structure, and how do pins and cords relate to this?

Answer: The Tabernacle's portability symbolized God's dynamic and intimate presence with His people as they journeyed through the wilderness. It was not a static temple but a mobile sanctuary, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle and God's commitment to be "God with us" wherever they went. The pins and cords were absolutely vital to this portability. They were the anchoring elements that allowed the Tabernacle to be securely erected in new locations, dismantled for travel, and then re-established. Their presence ensured that even in transit, God's dwelling place remained stable and secure, a constant reminder of His steadfast presence amidst their journey, as described in Numbers 9:15-23.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous details of the Tabernacle, including its humble pins and cords, ultimately find their profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, as God's dwelling place among His people, was a temporary and shadow reality pointing to the permanent and perfect presence of God in the person of Jesus. Just as the pins and cords provided essential stability for the physical structure, Christ is the ultimate "pin" and "cord" for God's eternal dwelling—the Church. He is the cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual edifice is built, the one who holds all things together by His power. The meticulousness with which God designed the Tabernacle foreshadows the perfect, divine plan of redemption meticulously executed through Christ's incarnation, atoning sacrifice, and resurrection. He is the secure anchor for our souls, providing an unshakeable kingdom and a spiritual stability that far surpasses any physical structure.

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Commentary on Exodus 35 verses 1–19

1 ¶ And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.

2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,

5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,

6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

7 And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

9 And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

10 And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;

11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,

12 The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

13 The table, and his staves, and all his vessels, and the shewbread,

14 The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,

15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,

16 The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,

17 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,

18 The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,

19 The cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

It was said in general (Exo 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the work to which they were now immediately to apply themselves, there is particular mention of the orders given concerning it.

I. All the congregation is summoned to attend (Exo 35:1); that is, the heads and rulers of the congregation, the representatives of the several tribes, who must receive instructions from Moses as he had received them from the Lord, and must communicate them to the people. Thus John, being commanded to write to the seven churches what had been revealed to him, writes it to the angels, or ministers, of the churches.

II. Moses gave them in charge all that (and that only) which God had commanded him; thus he approved himself faithful both to God and Israel, between whom he was a messenger or mediator. If he had added, altered, or diminished, he would have been false to both. But, both sides having reposed a trust in him, he was true to the trust; yet he was faithful as a servant only, but Christ as a Son, Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6.

III. He begins with the law of the sabbath, because that was much insisted on in the instructions he had received (Exo 35:2, Exo 35:3): Six days shall work be done, work for the tabernacle, the work of the day that was now to be done in its day; and they had little else to do here in the wilderness, where they had neither husbandry nor merchandise, neither food to get nor clothes to make: but on the seventh day you must not strike a stroke, no, not at the tabernacle-work; the honour of the sabbath was above that of the sanctuary, more ancient and more lasting; that must be to you a holy day, devoted to God, and not be spent in common business. It is a sabbath of rest. It is a sabbath of sabbaths (so some read it), more honourable and excellent than any of the other feasts, and should survive them all. A sabbath of sabbatism, so others read it, being typical of that sabbatism or rest, both spiritual and eternal, which remains for the people of God, Heb 4:9. It is a sabbath of rest, that is, in which a rest from all worldly labour must be very carefully and strictly observed. It is a sabbath and a little sabbath, so some of the Jews would have it read; not only observing the whole day as a sabbath, but an hour before the beginning of it, and an hour after the ending of it, which they throw in over and above out of their own time, and call a little sabbath, to show how glad they are of the approach of the sabbath and how loth to part with it. It is a sabbath of rest, but it is rest to the Lord, to whose honour it must be devoted. A penalty is here annexed to the breach of it: Whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Also a particular prohibition of kindling fires on the sabbath day for any servile work, as smith's work, or plumbers, etc.

IV. He orders preparation to be made for the setting up of the tabernacle. Two things were to be done: -

1.All that were able must contribute: Take you from among you an offering, Exo 35:5. The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for the setting up and furnishing of that was an offering to the Lord. Our goodness extends not to God, but what is laid out for the support of his kingdom and interest among men he is pleased to accept as an offering to himself; and he requires such acknowledgements of our receiving our all from him and such instances of our dedicating our all to him. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart let him bring. It was not to be a tax imposed upon them, but a benevolence or voluntary contribution, to intimate to us, (1.) That God has not made our yoke heavy. He is a prince that does not burden his subjects with taxes, nor make them to serve with an offering, but draws with the cords of a man, and leaves it to ourselves to judge what is right; his is a government that there is no cause to complain of, for he does not rule with rigour. (2.) That God loves a cheerful giver, and is best pleased with the free-will offering. Those services are acceptable to him that come from the willing heart of a willing people, Psa 110:3.

2.All that were skilful must work: Every wise-hearted among you shall come, and make, Exo 35:10. See how God dispenses his gifts variously; and, as every man hath received the gift, so he must minister, Pe1 4:10. Those that were rich must bring in materials to work on; those that were ingenious must serve the tabernacle with their ingenuity; as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, Co1 12:7-21. The work was likely to go on when some helped with their purses, others with their hands, and both with a willing heart. Moses, as he had told them what must be given (Exo 35:5-9), so he gives them the general heads of what must be made (Exo 35:11-19), that, seeing how much work was before them, they might apply themselves to it the more vigorously, and every hand might be busy; and it gave them such an idea of the fabric designed that they could not but long to see it finished.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–19. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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