Exodus 36:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Five pillars with gold-covered tops held the entrance hanging, set in brass sockets.
The Context of Exodus 36:38
The entrance pillars and their attachments complete the tabernacle construction.
What Does Exodus 36:38 Mean?
Five pillars supported the entrance hanging—more than the four supporting the interior veil, reflecting the entrance's greater exposure and need for structural support. Gold overlaid the capitals (chapiters) and connecting bands (fillets), while the sockets were brass instead of silver.
The practical choice of brass for outer sockets reflected exposure to weathering and movement. The gold finish on the visible parts maintained the sacred aesthetic while the brass underneath bore the functional burden, showing wisdom in material selection throughout.
Exodus 36:38 in the Original Language
chapiters (כַּפִּית, kapit) — the decorative capitals or tops of pillars; fillets (חָשׁוּקִים, chashukim) — binding bands connecting structural elements
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 36:38
What does Exodus 36:38 mean?
Five pillars with gold-covered tops held the entrance hanging, set in brass sockets.
What is the context of Exodus 36:38?
The entrance pillars and their attachments complete the tabernacle construction.