And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.

EXODUS 38:17KJV
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Exodus 38:17 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:17 mean?

Exodus 38:17 describes how the pillars of the courtyard for the tabernacle were constructed, specifying that their bases were made of bronze, their hooks and decorative bands were made of silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver. The verse emphasizes that all the pillars around the court were finished with silver bands.

In this part of Exodus, the narrative is detailing the building of the tabernacle, with Moses overseeing the work as God instructed. The verse gives a careful inventory of the materials used for the courtyard’s pillars, showing the attention to both beauty and durability in the tabernacle’s design. This level of detail highlights the importance placed on following God’s instructions exactly in the construction of the sacred space.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:17

  • The word for "sockets" is אֵדֶן (’eden, H134), meaning bases or foundations. This shows that the pillars were anchored in sturdy bronze bases, giving the courtyard stability.
  • The word for "fillets" is חָשׁוּק (ḥashuq, H2838), which refers to connecting rods or bands. These silver bands likely linked the pillars together, adding both strength and a decorative element.
  • The word for "chapiters" is רֹאשׁ (rosh, H7218), meaning head or top. Covering the tops of the pillars with silver would have made the structure visually striking and emphasized its sacredness.
  • The repeated use of כֶּסֶף (kesef, H3701), meaning silver, draws attention to the preciousness and value of the materials used in the tabernacle’s construction.

Why Exodus 38:17 matters

  • This verse clears up any confusion about the materials used for different parts of the tabernacle courtyard, showing a mix of strength (bronze) and beauty (silver).
  • The careful description emphasizes that the builders followed God’s instructions exactly, which is a major theme throughout Exodus.
  • By highlighting the use of silver for the visible parts of the pillars, the verse connects to the broader theme of the tabernacle as a place set apart and made with the best available resources.

Where else these words appear

“overlaying” Hebrew H6826 · used in 5 verses

  • 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.
  • Numbers 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.
  • Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

“fillets” Hebrew H2838 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 27:10 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 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.
  • Exodus 38:11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

“filleted” Hebrew H2836 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 34:8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife.
  • Deuteronomy 7:7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
  • 1 Kings 9:19 And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

“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 27:17 All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
  • Exodus 38:11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.