And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

EXODUS 38:28KJV
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Exodus 38:28 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:28 mean?

Exodus 38:28 explains that 1,775 shekels of silver were used to make hooks for the pillars, to overlay the tops (capitals) of the pillars, and to make connecting bands for them in the construction of the tabernacle. This verse details how a specific portion of the collected silver was used for practical and decorative purposes in the sanctuary’s structure.

This verse is part of a larger section where Moses records how the materials given by the Israelites were used for building the tabernacle. The focus here is on the careful accounting of silver and how it was distributed for specific elements—hooks, pillar tops, and bands—showing the organized and intentional approach to constructing the sacred space.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:28

  • The word for "hooks" is וָוִים (vavim), transliterated as "vavim," which refers to small hooks or pegs used to hang or fasten things. In the tabernacle, these hooks were essential for holding up curtains or screens.
  • "Pillars" is עַמּוּדִים (ammudim), meaning upright supports or columns. These pillars formed the framework of the tabernacle’s courtyard and supported its coverings.
  • "Overlaid" is וַיְצַף (vayetzaff), from the root צָפָה (tzafah), meaning to cover or plate, usually with a precious metal. Here, it describes covering the tops of the pillars with silver, adding both strength and beauty.
  • "Chapiters" is רָאשֵׁיהֶם (rasheihem), from רֹאשׁ (rosh), meaning "head" or "top." In this context, it refers to the decorative tops (capitals) of the pillars.
  • "Filleted" is חִשֵּׁק (chishek), which refers to making bands or connecting rods that joined the pillars together, providing stability and a unified appearance.

Why Exodus 38:28 matters

  • Exodus 38:28 highlights the careful stewardship and transparency in how the offerings were used, showing that every contribution was accounted for and put to a specific purpose.
  • The verse emphasizes the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the tabernacle’s construction, reflecting the importance of beauty and order in worship.
  • This detail connects to the broader theme of Exodus 35–40, where the faithfulness of the people in giving and the faithfulness of the builders in using the materials are both underscored, reinforcing the idea that every part of the sanctuary had meaning and value.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“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 36:36 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.
  • 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.

“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.