And you shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.
Read Chapter 26
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Corners. Hebrew tenons, literally, "hands "which has the same meaning as the Vulgate. Some think, the sockets or bases rested on the ground, and had a point which entered into the boards, to keep them in their places. (Lyranus)
The ornaments on the north and south were the same. (Calmet)
What can the silver bases of the frames signify, except the order of prophets? They were the first to speak openly of the Lord’s incarnation. They were like bases, and we see them rising from the foundations and sustaining the weight of the structure built on them. So when the Lord bade Moses build the frames of the tabernacle, Moses had the builders set them on their silver bases. What do the frames mean, except the apostles, who were spread out into the world by their preaching? What do the silver bases mean, except the prophets? They are firm, cast metal, and sustain the frames placed on them. The apostles’ lives are guided by their proclamation and strengthened by their authority. So two bases are joined and placed under each frame. For when the holy prophets agree in what they say about the incarnation of the Mediator, they undoubtedly build up the preachers in the church who follow them. They do not disagree among themselves, and they make the preachers stronger. God rightly comm...
