Exodus 36:36

And he made thereunto four pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlaid them with gold: their hooks [were of] gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.

And he made {H6213} thereunto four {H702} pillars {H5982} of shittim {H7848} wood, and overlaid {H6823} them with gold {H2091}: their hooks {H2053} were of gold {H2091}; and he cast {H3332} for them four {H702} sockets {H134} of silver {H3701}.

He made for it four posts of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold, and gold hooks; and cast for them four silver sockets.

He also made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold, along with gold hooks; and he cast four silver bases for the posts.

And he made thereunto four pillars of acacia, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.

Commentary

Exodus 36:36 continues the detailed account of the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically focusing on the structural elements supporting the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Exodus (chapters 35-40) describing the fulfillment of God's commands given to Moses for building the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8). It details the precise craftsmanship and materials used by the skilled artisans, Bezalel and Aholiab, and the willing contributions of the Israelites. Specifically, Exodus 36:36 describes four specific pillars that would hold the inner veil, a crucial barrier. The design for this veil and its purpose is initially outlined in Exodus 26:31-33, indicating its function in defining the sacred space and limiting access to God's immediate presence.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blueprint and Obedience: The meticulous detail in this verse underscores God's precise instructions for the Tabernacle's construction. Every element, down to the materials and number of pillars, was part of a divine blueprint, emphasizing the importance of obedience in worship and service to God.
  • Holiness and Separation: The four pillars supported the veil that marked the boundary of the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided and God's presence was uniquely manifest. This physical separation symbolized God's absolute holiness and the need for a divinely ordained means of access to Him.
  • Precious Materials and Symbolism:
    • Shittim Wood (Acacia Wood): This durable, rot-resistant wood, native to the desert, formed the core of the pillars, symbolizing endurance and God's provision in harsh environments.
    • Gold: The overlay of gold on the pillars and their hooks signifies divine glory, purity, and the preciousness of God's presence. Gold consistently represents divinity and value throughout the Tabernacle's design.
    • Silver Sockets: The silver sockets at the base of the pillars provided stability. Silver often symbolized redemption or atonement in the Tabernacle (e.g., the half-shekel offering in Exodus 30:16), suggesting that even the support structures pointed to God's redemptive plan.

Linguistic Insights

The term "shittim wood" (Χ©ΧΦ΄Χ˜ΦΌΦ΄Χ™Χ, shittim) refers to acacia wood, known for its hardness, density, and resistance to decay and insects, making it an ideal material for the structural elements of the Tabernacle in the desert climate. The Hebrew word for gold, zahav, and silver, kesef, are consistently used throughout the Tabernacle accounts to denote materials of immense value and sacred significance, reflecting the glory and purity associated with God's dwelling place.

Practical Application

The intricate details of the Tabernacle's construction, as seen in Exodus 36:36, remind us that God values precision and excellence in worship and service. More profoundly, these physical structures foreshadow spiritual realities. The veil, supported by these pillars, symbolized a barrier between sinful humanity and a holy God. However, the New Testament reveals that this barrier was removed through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which tore the temple veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This signifies that believers now have direct access to God's presence through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The meticulous construction of the Tabernacle points to the perfect and complete work of Christ, providing an enduring foundation for our faith and a new, living way into God's presence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 1:18

    For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
← Back