What Does Exodus 36:20 Mean in the King James?

And he made boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood, standing up.

Exodus 36:20 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The tabernacle is named by its purpose: it is a dwelling, and its boards stand to give that dwelling a shape.

THE MEANING

Dwelling becomes visible as the boards stand upright, holding open a space among the people. Presence takes tangible form through a structure that holds its place.

THE ROOT

מִשְׁכָּן

mishkan

GROWS FROM

שׁכן

sh-k-n

To dwell, settle, or remain.

English “tabernacle” conceals its kinship with the verb “to dwell”: the structure is a dwelling-place by its very name. The boards give that dwelling a visible form among the people.

ALSO GROWS

shakan: To dwell, settle, or remain.

שָׁכַן

This verb shares the root of “tabernacle,” tying the structure to the act of dwelling.

shakhen: Neighbor, inhabitant; one who dwells nearby.

שָׁכֵן

The root links a dwelling with the person who lives there, bringing habitation into relationship.

mishkan: Dwelling-place, tabernacle.

מִשְׁכָּן

This is the verse’s word: the dwelling takes shape through its standing boards.

עֹמְדִים

omdim

GROWS FROM

עמד

ʿ-m-d

To stand or take one’s position.

“standing” in this verse is omdim. English gives the boards a posture; the root ⁨עמד⁩ (ʿ-m-d, “to stand”) also forms ⁨עַמּוּד⁩ (amud, “pillar”), linking uprightness with structural support. The boards hold their place as the dwelling’s frame.

ALSO GROWS

amad: To stand or take one’s position.

עָמַד

The boards’ standing is the root action itself, not a detail separate from their role in the structure.

amud: Pillar, column.

עַמּוּד

This branch joins standing with an upright support, illuminating what the boards do.

ma'amad: Standing, position, or status.

מַעֲמָד

The root can name a position from which something stands, echoing the boards’ place in the dwelling.

THE PATTERN

Dwelling becomes tangible when distinct parts are brought into a structure prepared to receive it.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8 · KJVThe sanctuary is made so dwelling can be among the people; this gives the boards their purpose.

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Psalm 132:13 · KJVZion is named as a desired habitation, joining dwelling with a prepared place.

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 · KJVPeople are built together into a habitation, carrying the pattern from separate parts to a dwelling-place.

THE THREAD

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8 · KJV

The noun ⁨מִשְׁכָּן⁩ (mishkan, “dwelling-place”) and the verb ⁨שָׁכַן⁩ (shakan, “to dwell”) share the root ⁨שׁכן⁩ (sh-k-n). Exodus 25:8 names the purpose, dwelling among the people, while Exodus 36:20 shows the boards standing into that purpose.

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