Exodus 36:30

KJV

And there were eight boards; and their sockets [were] sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there were eight {H8083} boards {H7175}; and their sockets {H134} were sixteen {H8337}{H6240} sockets {H134} of silver {H3701}, under every {H259} board {H7175} two {H8147}{H8147} sockets {H134}{H134}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus there were eight planks with their silver sockets, sixteen sockets, two sockets under each plank.

Berean Standard Bible

So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

American Standard Version

And there were eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; under every board two sockets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 36:30 provides a meticulous detail of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically noting that a section of its framework comprised eight acacia wood boards, each securely anchored by two heavy silver sockets. This verse highlights the divine blueprint's absolute precision and the foundational stability necessary for the sacred dwelling place of God among His people. The silver sockets, uniquely crafted from the atonement money collected from the Israelites, bear profound symbolic weight, signifying that the very foundation of God's presence was predicated upon the principle of redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 36:30 is situated within the expansive narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the execution of the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Following the willing offerings of the people and the divinely-enabled craftsmanship of Bezaleel and Aholiab in [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Offerings and Craftsmen for the Tabernacle"), this verse falls within the meticulous account of erecting the framework for the Tabernacle's walls (Exodus 36:20-34). It follows the preparation of the materials and precedes the construction of the veils, curtains, and furnishings. This precise enumeration of components, such as the boards and their sockets, reflects the unwavering adherence to the divine blueprint outlined earlier in [Exodus 26](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - Tabernacle Construction Details"), where God provided exact measurements and material specifications for every aspect of the sanctuary, emphasizing the sacredness and divine origin of its design. The narrative consistently underscores that every element was built "as the Lord commanded Moses," reinforcing the theme of obedience to divine revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, a pivotal period of national formation following their liberation from Egypt. As a nomadic people, a portable sanctuary was essential for God's presence to accompany them on their journey to the Promised Land. While ancient Near Eastern cultures often built elaborate, permanent temples to their deities, the Tabernacle was unique in its portability and its direct divine revelation, contrasting sharply with pagan temples built by human design. The use of silver for the sockets is profoundly significant, as this metal was specifically sourced from the [half-shekel atonement money](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Money") collected from every Israelite male aged twenty years or more. This collection, mandated in [Exodus 30:11-16](/exodus/30-11-16 "Exodus 30:11-16 - The Census and Atonement Money"), served as a "ransom for their souls" to make atonement for them before the Lord. Thus, the very foundation of God's dwelling place among His people was literally built upon the principle of redemption and propitiation, embedding a profound theological statement within the physical structure.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. The theme of **Divine Presence** is central, as the Tabernacle was the tangible manifestation of God dwelling among His people. The meticulous details, including the sockets, emphasize the holiness and order required for such a sacred indwelling. The theme of **Obedience to Divine Command** is also prominent; the precise adherence to God's architectural blueprint, down to the number of boards and sockets, underscores the importance of following God's revealed will without deviation. Most significantly, the theme of **Redemption and Atonement** is powerfully conveyed by the silver sockets. Their origin in the atonement money highlights that God's holy presence can only be sustained among a sinful people through a divinely provided means of covering sin, foreshadowing the ultimate redemptive work necessary for true fellowship with God. This foundational principle is echoed throughout the sacrificial system outlined in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **boards (Hebrew, _qeresh'_):** Refers to the upright frames or planks that formed the walls of the Tabernacle. These were made of acacia wood, renowned for its durability and resistance to decay in arid climates, and were overlaid with gold. The use of solid, upright boards speaks to the strength, stability, and preciousness of the structure, designed to house the very presence of God. They formed the robust skeleton of the sacred dwelling.
* **sockets (Hebrew, _ʼeden'_):** This term denotes "bases," "pedestals," or "foundations." These were heavy, solid blocks, in this case, made of silver, into which the tenons (projections) at the bottom of the acacia boards would fit. The _ʼeden_ were crucial for providing a secure, stable, and level footing for the entire framework, ensuring the Tabernacle's structural integrity and its ability to withstand the rigors of travel and setup in the wilderness. Their weight and material were essential for anchoring the precious golden boards.
* **silver (Hebrew, _keçeph'_):** A precious metal, often associated with value, purity, and redemption in the Old Testament. Its specific use for the Tabernacle's foundational sockets, derived directly from the atonement money, elevates its significance beyond mere material worth. It symbolically links the stability of God's dwelling with the atoning sacrifice and the redemption of His people, making the very ground upon which the Tabernacle stood a testament to God's grace and provision for sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there were eight boards;":** This clause specifies the number of boards for a particular section of the Tabernacle's framework. While the main sides had twenty boards each, this "eight boards" likely refers to one of the shorter, western corners or a specific segment of the Tabernacle, indicating the meticulous counting and precise allocation of every component according to God's detailed architectural plan. It underscores the exactitude required in constructing God's dwelling.
* **"and their sockets [were] sixteen sockets of silver,":** This details the foundational elements for the eight boards. The ratio of sixteen silver sockets for eight boards immediately implies two sockets per board, a design choice emphasizing extreme stability and robust support. The material, "silver," is of paramount importance, signifying its source (the atonement money) and the profound theological principle (redemption) upon which the Tabernacle's foundation rested. This highlights that stability in God's presence is rooted in His redemptive work.
* **"under every board two sockets.":** This final phrase reiterates and confirms the precise arrangement, ensuring that each upright board had a dual, robust base. This redundancy in support underscores the critical importance of stability for a structure that was to house the Holy God and travel with His people. It symbolizes the unwavering and secure nature of God's presence when founded upon His redemptive work, providing a firm footing for the sacred space.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Precision** and **Repetition** are strikingly evident in the exact numerical specifications ("eight boards," "sixteen sockets," "two sockets under every board"), highlighting the divine meticulousness and the absolute necessity of adhering to God's blueprint. This numerical exactitude underscores the sacredness and order inherent in God's design for His dwelling. **Symbolism** is profoundly at play, particularly with the "silver sockets." Silver, derived from the atonement money, symbolizes redemption and the propitiatory basis of God's relationship with Israel. The sockets, as foundational elements, symbolize the stability and security that redemption provides for God's presence among His people. Furthermore, there is an element of **Metonymy**, where the "silver" (material) stands for its source and ultimate purpose—the atonement money and the concept of redemption itself, making the physical structure a tangible representation of a theological truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous detail regarding the Tabernacle's silver sockets in Exodus 36:30 carries significant theological weight. It reveals that God's dwelling among His people is not a casual or arbitrary matter but is founded upon principles of divine order, precision, and, most profoundly, redemption. The fact that the foundational sockets were made from the atonement money underscores that God's holy presence can only reside with an unholy people through an act of propitiation. This principle establishes a fundamental truth: access to God and the stability of His relationship with humanity is always predicated on a divinely provided means of covering sin. This foreshadows the ultimate redemptive work that would establish a new and eternal foundation for God's presence among His people, a foundation that is secure and unshakeable because it is rooted in God's perfect provision for sin.

* [Exodus 30:16](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Atonement Money")
* [1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ Our Foundation")
* [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Apostles and Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of the Tabernacle's construction, down to the precise number of boards and their silver sockets, offers profound lessons for our spiritual lives. It reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and intentionality, especially concerning His presence and our worship. Just as the Tabernacle's stability rested on foundations purchased by atonement money, our spiritual lives must be built upon the secure and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This calls us to examine the "foundations" of our faith: are they solid, based on the truth of God's Word and the atoning sacrifice of Christ, or are they flimsy and susceptible to the shifting sands of worldly ideologies? The diligence and faithfulness of Bezaleel and Aholiab in following God's blueprint challenge us to approach our faith with similar dedication, ensuring that our lives are built according to God's divine design, rooted in redemption, and designed for His indwelling presence. Our spiritual stability, like that of the Tabernacle, is directly proportional to the solidity of our foundation in Christ's atoning work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in the Tabernacle's construction inform your understanding of God's character and His expectations for our lives?**
* **In what ways does the "foundation of redemption" principle, seen in the silver sockets, apply to your personal faith journey and your understanding of access to God?**
* **What "boards" and "sockets" are you using to build your spiritual life, and are they aligned with God's blueprint and the atoning work of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is there such specific detail about the Tabernacle's construction, even for something like sockets?**

Answer: The extensive and precise detail about the Tabernacle's construction, including the number and material of the sockets, serves multiple critical purposes. Firstly, it underscores the divine origin and sacredness of the sanctuary; it was not a human invention but a direct revelation from God, requiring absolute adherence to His blueprint. This meticulousness teaches Israel (and us) about God's character as orderly, intentional, and holy. Secondly, every detail was imbued with symbolic meaning, pointing to deeper theological truths. The silver sockets, for instance, sourced from the atonement money, profoundly symbolize that God's dwelling among His people is founded on redemption. Finally, the precision ensured the Tabernacle's structural integrity, allowing it to function as the portable center of Israel's worship and the tangible sign of God's presence among them during their wilderness journey, as detailed in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle").

**What is the significance of the silver sockets being made from atonement money?**

Answer: The fact that the Tabernacle's foundational silver sockets were made from the [half-shekel atonement money](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Half-Shekel Atonement Money") collected from every Israelite male is profoundly significant. This money was explicitly designated as a "ransom for their souls" to make atonement for them before the Lord. Therefore, the very foundation upon which God's holy presence rested among an unholy people was literally built upon the principle of redemption and propitiation. It powerfully illustrates that sinful humanity can only have fellowship with a holy God through a divinely appointed means of atonement. This foreshadows the ultimate redemptive work of Christ, whose sacrifice provides the true and eternal foundation for our relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 36:30, with its emphasis on the Tabernacle's foundational silver sockets purchased by atonement money, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle was God's temporary dwelling place among His people, a shadow of the reality to come. Jesus is the true and ultimate Tabernacle, for in Him, "the Word became flesh and [tabernacled] among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the very presence of God incarnate, the one through whom we truly encounter the Divine. Just as the Tabernacle's stability rested on a foundation of redemption, our access to God and the security of our faith rest entirely on Christ's perfect atoning sacrifice. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate ransom and propitiation for our souls. He is the true and unshakeable foundation upon which the church, God's new spiritual temple, is built ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ Our Foundation"); [Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Apostles and Prophets")). Through His finished work on the cross, we, as living stones, are built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). The silver sockets of the Tabernacle thus beautifully prefigure the redemptive work of Christ, who is our secure and eternal foundation, enabling God's permanent dwelling among His redeemed people.

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

Exodus 26:25

And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets [of] silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.