Board
What Were Biblical Boards?
In biblical usage, 'board' refers to wooden planks or structural timbers used primarily in construction. The Hebrew word most commonly translated as 'board' is qeresh (קֶרֶשׁ), which appears over 50 times in Exodus and Numbers describing the tabernacle's construction. These were substantial planks, likely of acacia wood, measuring approximately 15 feet tall by 27 inches wide (Exodus 26:16). Each board had two tenons (projections) that fit into silver sockets, creating a stable framework for the tabernacle's walls.
Boards in the Tabernacle Construction
The most detailed biblical description of boards appears in Exodus 25-40, where God provides Moses with precise instructions for building the tabernacle. Forty-eight boards formed the structure's walls, twenty for the north side, twenty for the south side, and six plus two corner boards for the west side (Exodus 26:15-25). These boards were overlaid with gold (Exodus 26:29) and held together by horizontal bars that ran through golden rings attached to the boards (Exodus 26:26-28). This created a portable yet sturdy sanctuary that could be dismantled and reassembled as Israel journeyed through the wilderness.
Boards in Other Biblical Contexts
Beyond the tabernacle, boards appear in several other biblical contexts. In 1 Kings 6:9, boards (translated from sedherah) were used in Solomon's Temple construction. The term also describes shipbuilding materials in Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre: "They made all your planks [boards] of fir trees from Senir" (Ezekiel 27:5). In the New Testament, the only reference comes from Acts 27:44, where shipwreck survivors reach safety "on boards" (planks) from the broken vessel. Additionally, the Hebrew word luach, sometimes translated as "board," refers to tablets (as in the stone tablets of the Law in Exodus 31:18) or wooden panels that could be written upon.
Materials and Construction Techniques
The tabernacle boards were made of acacia wood (Exodus 26:15), a durable, insect-resistant hardwood native to the Sinai region. This choice of material was both practical and symbolic, acacia's durability represented endurance, while its availability in the wilderness demonstrated God's provision. The construction involved precise joinery: each board had two tenons that fit into silver sockets (Exodus 26:19), creating a stable foundation. The boards were then connected by bars running through golden rings, allowing the structure to be assembled and disassembled during Israel's journeys.
Symbolic and Theological Dimensions
The boards of the tabernacle carried rich symbolic meaning. Their acacia wood, overlaid with gold, represented both humanity (wood from the earth) and divinity (the gold overlay), suggesting God's desire to dwell among his people. The precise measurements and arrangements reflected God's orderly nature and the importance of approaching him according to his specifications. The portability of the board framework illustrated God's presence journeying with his people, not confined to one location. In Christian interpretation, some see the boards as foreshadowing the believers who together form God's dwelling place (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Biblical Context
The term 'board' appears primarily in Exodus 25-40 and Numbers 3-4 describing the tabernacle's construction, where 48 gold-overlaid acacia wood boards formed the sanctuary's framework. Additional references include Solomon's Temple construction (1 Kings 6:9, 15-16), shipbuilding imagery (Ezekiel 27:5), and the New Testament account of Paul's shipwreck (Acts 27:44). The Hebrew words translated as 'board' include qeresh (structural planks), luach (tablets or panels), and tsela (rib or side timber).
Theological Significance
The boards of the tabernacle teach important theological truths about God's presence among his people. Their precise construction according to divine specifications (Exodus 25:9) reveals God's attention to detail and the importance of approaching him on his terms. The combination of earthly material (acacia wood) and divine overlay (gold) symbolizes God's desire to dwell with humanity. The portability of the board framework demonstrates that God journeys with his people rather than being confined to one location. Collectively, the boards forming one structure prefigure the New Testament concept of believers being joined together as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21).
Historical Background
Archaeological evidence from the Ancient Near East confirms that wooden plank construction was used in sacred architecture. Egyptian and Canaanite temples from the second millennium BCE employed similar construction techniques. Acacia wood (Acacia raddiana or Acacia tortilis) was indeed available in the Sinai region and prized for its durability and resistance to insects. The tabernacle's silver socket foundations (each socket weighing approximately 100 pounds according to Exodus 38:27) would have provided remarkable stability in desert conditions. Ancient shipbuilding, as referenced in Ezekiel 27:5, commonly used planks joined with mortise-and-tenon techniques, similar to the tabernacle's construction.