Exodus Chapter 37
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.
2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a moulding of gold for it around it.
3 He cast four rings of gold for it, in its four feet-two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side.
4 He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width.
7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat:
8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.
9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces towards one another. The faces of the cherubim were towards the mercy seat.
10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half.
11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold moulding around it.
12 He made a border of a hand's width around it, and made a golden moulding on its border around it.
13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet.
14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table.
15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.
16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.
17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it.
18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side:
19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand.
20 In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;
21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it.
22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold.
23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold.
24 He made it of a talent of pure gold, with all its vessels.
25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it.
26 He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold moulding around it.
27 He made two golden rings for it under its moulding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it.
28 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.
Footnotes
- Verse 1 (Cubit)
- A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man's arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimetres.
- Verse 24 (Talent)
- A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces
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Exodus Chapter 37 Guide
In furnishing the Tabernacle and Tent, the work commenced with the furniture of the Holy of Holies. The Ark was first constructed because it was to be the very centre, and in itself the foundations of the government of God in righteousness. Then followed the mercy seat, attesting the provision made in the economy of God for approach to Him by sinful man. Long after, a Hebrew singer expressed the significance of this as he sang:
Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalms 85:9-10).
After the furniture of the Holy of Holies that of the Holy Place was made. First the table of communion, consequent on the propitiation manifested between the cherubim; then the lampstand, indicating the testimony the communing people were to bear to the outside world. Following this, the altar of incense, at which the people brought into communion and bearing testimony were to offer their sacrifices of praise. Finally, the anointing oil, the perpetual symbol of the truth that fitness for all approach and service comes by the way of divine provision.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Exodus Chapter 37 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle.
In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the alter represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.