Question 1

What does Exodus 36:22 mean?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 36:22 describes how each board used in the construction of the tabernacle had two tenons (projections or pegs) that were spaced evenly apart, and this design was followed for all the boards. This detail shows the careful and consistent craftsmanship involved in building the tabernacle according to specific instructions. In this part of Exodus, skilled workers are building the tabernacle as Moses instructed, following the plans given by God. The verse highlights the practical details of how the boards were made to fit together securely, ensuring the structure would be stable and uniform throughout.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:22

Accepted Answer

The word for "tenons" is יָד (yad, meaning "hand"), which here refers to the projecting parts of the boards that fit into sockets, much like a hand fits into a glove. This image helps readers picture how the boards were joined together. The word for "equally distant" is מְשֻׁלָּבוֹת (meshullavot), which carries the sense of being paired or matched, emphasizing that the tenons were set at regular intervals for a precise and stable fit.

Question 3

Why Exodus 36:22 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up how the boards of the tabernacle were not just stacked or placed randomly but were carefully crafted to interlock, showing the importance of order and precision in the tabernacle’s construction. The attention to detail in the building process reflects the seriousness with which the Israelites approached the task of creating a dwelling place for God among them. Understanding these construction details helps readers appreciate the broader narrative of Exodus, where following God's instructions exactly was a key theme.

Exodus 36:22 (KJV)