Exodus 26:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

On the southern side, there were twenty pillars supported by forty bases, totaling sixty, and the northern side mirrored this configuration with another set of sixty pillars and bases, symbolizing the leaders and rulers. This quantity is also referenced by the wise Solomon in the Song of Songs, stating, ‘Behold, Solomon's bier, sixty strong around it’ (Song of Songs 3:7).

The bases of the boards elevated the wood above the ground, protecting it from decay. These bases collectively created a unified foundation, which contributed to the ornate design of the Tabernacle, as described in the translation of the Seventy. Each bar featured two pins at its base, with a designated foot for each pin. At the corners of the Tabernacle, the boards were secured to one another through rings, serving as the sole link between the rear and side walls. As will be elaborated upon later, the walls were interconnected by staves that passed through all the boards. While the precise method of joining the rings at the corners remains uncertain, it is reasonable to speculate that they were either bolted together or connected by chains or cords.