Discovery BoxExodus 36:38 
Context36:38 and its five posts and their hooks. He overlaid their tops 1 and their bands with gold, but their five bases were bronze. 2
Exodus 38:19
Context38:19 with four posts and their four bronze bases. Their hooks and their bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver.
Exodus 38:28
Context38:28 From the remaining 1,775 shekels 3 he made hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and made bands for them.
1 tn The word is “their heads”; technically it would be “their capitals” (so ASV, NAB, NRSV). The bands were bands of metal surrounding these capitals just beneath them. These are not mentioned in Exod 26:37, and it sounds like the posts are to be covered with gold. But the gradation of metals is what is intended: the posts at the entrance to the Most Holy Place are all of gold; the posts at the entrance to the tent are overlaid with gold at the top; and the posts at the entrance to the courtyard are overlaid with silver at the top (S. R. Driver, Exodus, 387, citing Dillmann without reference).
2 sn For a good summary of the differences between the instruction section and the completion section, and the reasons for the changes and the omissions, see B. Jacob, Exodus, 1022-23.
3 tn Here the word “shekels” is understood; about 45 pounds.
