What does Exodus 36:18 mean?
ESV: And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole.
NIV: They made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the tent together as a unit.
NASB: He also made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it would be a unit.
CSB: He made fifty bronze clasps to join the tent together as a single unit.
NLT: He also made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the long curtains together. In this way, the tent covering was made of one continuous piece.
KJV: And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
NKJV: He also made fifty bronze clasps to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Exodus 36:8–38 indicates that the Israelites follow God's instructions precisely. They are constructing a tabernacle for the Lord (Exodus 25:8–9) under the direction of two assigned supervisors (Exodus 35:30—36:1). The actions of this passage are a point-by-point response to the designs recorded in Exodus 26.
Chapter Summary:
Israel responds to the call for donations with enthusiasm. The people are so eager to donate that Moses must command the people to stop giving. Working under Bezalel, skilled workers begin following God's instructions for crafting the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). Most of these descriptions repeat the exact wording from God's command, rephrased as what Israel actually did.
Chapter Context:
After renewing the covenant (Exodus 34), Moses is passing along the Lord's commands regarding the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This began with a call for materials and recently included the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab to supervise the project (Exodus 35). This and following chapters (Exodus 37—39) record Israel following those original instructions very closely. The text is virtually identical to the written designs recorded earlier (Exodus 25—31).
Book Summary:
The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.
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