Tenons

There were to be two tenons on the bottom of each board. We get the number two used in Scripture in connection with testimony: “That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Matt. 18:16). The number of boards to be used was forty-eight. This number is a multiple of other numbers which are used symbolically in Scripture, and in order to get its symbolic force, we must separate it into its factors, twelve and four. Twelve in Scripture gives administrative completeness in government, as we see in the twelve tribes, twelve apostles, twelve gates (where the judges sat), and so forth. Four gives us completeness on earth — the “four corners of the earth,” four winds, foursquare, four gospels, and more. The whole number, therefore, will be administrative perfection displayed in all its completeness in Christ; or, if the boards are taken in connection with the divine dwelling place, this perfection displayed through the house of God.