And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

EXODUS 27:10KJV
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Exodus 27:10 (KJV)

What does Exodus 27:10 mean?

Exodus 27:10 gives instructions for building part of the courtyard around the tabernacle, saying there should be twenty pillars with twenty bases made of brass, and that the hooks and bands (fillets) on the pillars should be made of silver. This verse is part of a detailed description of how the sacred space was to be constructed, specifying the materials and design.

God is speaking to Moses, giving him precise directions for the tabernacle’s outer courtyard. The verse focuses on the physical structure, highlighting the use of strong and valuable materials—brass for the bases and silver for the hooks and bands—showing the care and importance placed on every part of the tabernacle’s construction.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 27:10

  • "Pillars" (עַמּוּדִים, ammudim): This word refers to upright supports or columns. In this context, it emphasizes the structural framework that would hold up the courtyard’s linen hangings.
  • "Sockets" (אֲדָנִים, adaním): These are the bases or foundations for the pillars, made of brass (נְחשֶׁת, nechoshet). The use of brass suggests durability and value.
  • "Hooks" (וָוִים, vavim): These are the fasteners or connectors on the pillars, made of silver (כֶּסֶף, kesef). Silver hooks would have been both functional and decorative.
  • "Fillets" (חֲשֻׁקִים, chashuqim): This word refers to bands or rods, also made of silver, that likely helped stabilize the pillars or served as decorative elements.

Why Exodus 27:10 matters

  • This verse shows the level of detail and care God required in the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing that even the courtyard’s framework was to be made with valuable materials.
  • The combination of brass and silver in the structure highlights a mix of strength and beauty, reflecting the sacredness of the space.
  • Understanding these details helps readers appreciate the craftsmanship and reverence involved in creating a place for worship, which is a recurring theme throughout the tabernacle instructions.

Where else these words appear

“fillets” Hebrew H2838 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 27:11 And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
  • Exodus 38:10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
  • Exodus 38:12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

“hooks” Hebrew H2053 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 26:32 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.
  • 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.
  • Exodus 38:12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

“sockets” Hebrew H134 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 26:19 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
  • Exodus 35:11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets,
  • Exodus 38:19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.

“pillars” Hebrew H5982 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
  • Exodus 39:40 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
  • 2 Kings 25:13 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.