Definition: And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Exodus 26:19. It's a really fascinating detail about God’s plan for the Ark of the Covenant – the box that held the tablets of the Law. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is creating a box with 40 sockets (holes) and two sets of ten (a total of 20). Let's unpack that a bit: “Forty sockets of silver…” : This refers to the metal plates that would be hammered into the wooden frame of the Ark. They were incredibly important, and they needed to be perfectly formed. “…under the twenty boards…” : The Ark was built on two large wooden boards. “Two sockets under one board for his two tenons…” : This is where it gets a little more complicated. God wants to create two sets of ten holes, meaning a total of 20 holes. However, he needs to make two sets of these holes. He’s essentially creating two groups of 10 holes. “…and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.” : Again, this means another set of 10 holes, and again, God wants to create two groups of 10. Why did God do this? This is a bit of a mystery, but here's the best explanation: A Symbol of Covenant: The most widely accepted theory is that these 20 holes represent the 20 tribes of Israel who were part of God’s covenant with them. Each group of 10 represents one tribe. The 20 holes symbolize the promise of God’s faithfulness and protection to each nation. Important Note: It's crucial to understand that this wasn't a practical design for the Ark. God intentionally created these sockets as a symbolic representation, designed to be seen in a specific way. The final design of the Ark was entirely up to Moses. In short, the verse describes a carefully crafted box with 20 holes – a visual symbol of God’s covenant and promise to Israel. --- Do you have any other questions about this passage? Would you like me to: Explain its significance in more detail? Talk about the history surrounding the Ark of the Covenant?