And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

EXODUS 36:34KJV
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Exodus 36:34 (KJV)

What does Exodus 36:34 mean?

Exodus 36:34 describes how the craftsmen covered the boards and bars of the tabernacle with gold and made gold rings to hold the bars in place. This verse highlights the careful and detailed work done to construct the tabernacle according to the instructions given to Moses.

In this part of Exodus, skilled workers are building the tabernacle, which was a portable sanctuary for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The verse shows the use of precious materials like gold, emphasizing the importance and sacredness of the tabernacle as a place where God would dwell among His people.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 36:34

  • "overlaid" (צָפָה, tsafah): This word means to cover something, often with a thin layer of metal. Here, it shows that the boards and bars were not just made of wood but were carefully covered with gold, making them both beautiful and valuable.
  • "boards" (קֶרֶשׁ, qeresh): Refers to the upright wooden planks that formed the walls of the tabernacle. Understanding this word helps clarify that the structure was sturdy and designed to be assembled and disassembled as the Israelites traveled.
  • "rings" (טַבַּעַת, taba'at): These were circular fittings made of gold, used as holders for the bars. This detail points to the practical craftsmanship involved in making the tabernacle both functional and ornate.
  • "bars" (בָּרִיחַ, bariach): These were rods inserted through the rings to hold the boards together, providing stability to the structure. The repeated mention of gold covering even these parts underlines the thoroughness in following God's instructions.

Why Exodus 36:34 matters

  • Exodus 36:34 clears up any idea that the tabernacle was a simple or rough structure; it was made with great care and valuable materials, reflecting its special purpose.
  • The verse emphasizes the obedience of the craftsmen to the detailed instructions given earlier in Exodus, showing the importance of following God's directions exactly.
  • This attention to detail connects to the broader theme in Exodus of God's holiness and the reverence required in approaching Him, even in the design and construction of the place where He would be worshiped.

Where else these words appear

“boards” Hebrew H7175 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 26:15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.
  • Exodus 26:27 And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward.
  • Exodus 36:27 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards.

“bars” Hebrew H1280 · used in 37 verses

  • Exodus 26:26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
  • Deuteronomy 3:5 All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.
  • Psalms 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

“rings” Hebrew H2885 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

“overlaid” Hebrew H6823 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
  • Exodus 36:38 And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.
  • 1 Kings 6:22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.