This verse corresponds with 26.37, but there are differences that should be shown in translation. And its five pillars is a continuation of the previous verse and depends upon the verb “he also made.” With their hooks is literally “and their hooks,” with the pronoun their referring to the pillars. (See the comment on hooks at 26.37.)

He overlaid their capitals is literally “and he overlaid their heads,” meaning the “tops” of the “posts” (Good News Translation). This should not suggest a decorative crown at the top of the pillars like those in Solomon’s Temple. (In 1Kings 16 a different Hebrew word is used.) Although it is not stated in the Hebrew, “with gold” (Good News Translation) should be understood. Note that in 26.37 the entire posts were to be “overlaid,” but here only the “tops” are mentioned. This does not necessarily mean that the posts were not overlaid. Some consider this to be a clarification of 36.37, but it should not influence the translation there. Contemporary English Version has “They made five posts, covered them completely with gold…,” and this of course includes the tops.

And their fillets were of gold refers to either the “bands” (New Revised Standard Version) or “rods” (Good News Translation) that were similar to those for the posts used for the courtyard enclosure. The term for fillets is first used in 27.10. (See the comment there.) For these “posts,” however, they were made of gold, not of silver.

But their five bases were of bronze is literally “and their five bases bronze,” with the verb were understood. The use of but shows the contrast with the gold, although it is the common conjunction waw. So a few translations simply have “and” instead of but.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .