Verse 17 is quite similar to 26.10, with only a few minor differences. The verb he made, of course, replaces the verb “you shall make.” With this change it may be translated in the same way.

Verse 18 is not identical with 26.11, but the meaning is the same. And he made fifty clasps simply changes the verb from a command spoken to Moses (26.11) to the narrative account here, that Bezalel and his assistants actually “made fifty bronze hooks” (Good News Translation). He made should be changed to “they made” (Good News Translation), as explained above. Contemporary English Version has “were put.” (See verse 8.) To couple the tent together describes only the purpose of the clasps; it does not state here that the two pieces were actually joined at this time. The final assembly of the various parts of the Tabernacle is recorded in chapter 40 as part of the grand climax of the book.

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 .