Original Word: שָׁלַב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shalab
Pronunciation: shah-LAHB
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-lab')
KJV: equally distant, set in order
NASB: fitted
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to space off
2. intensive (evenly) to make equidistant

equally distant, set in order

A primitive root; to space off; intensive (evenly) to make equidistant -- equally distant, set in order.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be bound or joined
NASB Translation
fitted (2).

[שָׁלַב] verb Pu`al be bound, joined (Late Hebrew Punic = Biblical Hebrew; שְׁלִיבָה rung of ladder; Aramaic שְׁלִיבִין apparently only 1 Kings 7:28,29, , ravine, narrow path between mountains; Arabic is seize, carry off, by force); — Participle feminine plural מְשֻׁלָּבֹת Exodus 26:17 tenons joined each to (אֶל) its fellow, Exodus 36:22 (both P).

Summary of Biblical Occurrences

שָׁלַב appears only in Exodus 26:17 and Exodus 36:22, describing how the wooden boards of the Tabernacle were fashioned “with two tenons for joining one to another” (Exodus 26:17). Though limited in frequency, the word is strategically placed within the detailed instructions for Israel’s portable sanctuary, highlighting a design feature that ensured structural cohesion.

Tabernacle Craftsmanship and Engineering

The Israelites, recently freed from Egyptian bondage, were commissioned to build an intricate dwelling place for the LORD in the wilderness. The tenons (mortise-and-tenon joints) formed by שָׁלַב enabled the acacia-wood boards to interlock securely, providing portability without sacrificing stability. This method met three practical needs:

1. Strength—withstanding years of desert travel.
2. Uniformity—each board identical, reflecting divine precision.
3. Reusability—the same joints could be assembled and disassembled every time the camp moved.

Symbolism of Unity and Covenant Order

The repeated emphasis on “joining one to another” illustrates more than carpentry; it embodies communal and covenantal unity. As each board was indispensable to the whole, so every tribe and individual in Israel held a defined place in the larger redemptive plan (compare Numbers 2; Ephesians 4:16). Disorder or gaps would compromise the structure; likewise, disunity jeopardizes spiritual vitality.

Historical Insight

Ancient Near Eastern shrines often used permanent stone. Israel’s movable sanctuary, however, testified that the LORD accompanied His people. The skilled joining implied by שָׁלַב contrasts with crude nomadic shelters, pointing to divine artistry rather than mere human ingenuity. Bezaleel and Oholiab’s Spirit-filled craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-6) ensured that even hidden joints met holy standards.

Christological Foreshadowing

The perfectly fitted boards anticipate the seamless unity found in Christ’s body, the Church. Peter calls believers “living stones” built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). Paul speaks of every part “joined and held together by every supporting ligament” (Ephesians 4:16). The Tabernacle’s interlocking boards thus prefigure a redeemed community held together by the Carpenter from Nazareth (Mark 6:3).

Worship and Liturgical Application

For Israel, assembling the boards was an act of obedience and preparation for holy encounter. Worship today likewise involves aligning ourselves with God’s blueprint. Attention to “hidden joints” such as private devotion, doctrinal soundness, and mutual submission nurtures congregational strength when visible pressures mount (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Ministry Implications

• Church Planting: Portable sanctuaries illustrate flexible ministry models capable of relocating without losing integrity.
• Member Integration: New believers are to be “joined” into fellowship, not merely attached loosely (Acts 2:42-47).
• Leadership Training: Like craftsmen who understood precise specifications, church leaders must handle God’s Word accurately (2 Timothy 2:15) so that each “board” finds its proper fit.

Devotional Reflection

Meditate on the hidden tenons of your own life. Are there unseen areas needing alignment with God’s pattern? Pray that the Spirit who empowered Tabernacle artisans would shape your character to fit seamlessly into Christ’s living temple.

Related Themes and Cross-References

• Unity of the body—Psalm 133:1; John 17:21.
• God dwelling among His people—Exodus 25:8; Revelation 21:3.
• Spiritual architecture—1 Corinthians 3:9-17; Ephesians 2:19-22.

מְשֻׁלָּבֹ֔ת משלבת mə·šul·lā·ḇōṯ meshullaVot məšullāḇōṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts