Exodus 39NASB
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Exodus39

New American Standard

1Now from the violet, purple, and scarlet material they made finely woven garments for ministering in the Holy Place, as well as the holy garments which were for Aaron, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

2He made the ephod of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen.

3Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the violet, the purple, and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skilled embroiderer.

4They made attaching shoulder pieces for the ephod; it was attached at its two upper ends.

5And the skillfully woven band of its overlay which was on it was like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

6They also made the onyx stones, set in gold filigree settings; they were engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel.

7And he placed them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

8And he made the breastpiece, the work of a skilled embroiderer, like the workmanship of the ephod: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

9It was square; they made the breastpiece folded double, a span long and a span wide when folded double.

10And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald;

11and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;

12and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

13and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings when they were mounted.

14The stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel; they were twelve, corresponding to their names, engraved with the engravings of a signet, each with its name for the twelve tribes.

15And they made for the breastpiece chains like cords, work of twisted cords of pure gold.

16They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece.

17Then they put the two gold cords in the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece.

18And they put the other two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it.

19They made two gold rings and placed them on the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inner edge which was next to the ephod.

20Furthermore, they made two gold rings and placed them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on the front of it, close to the place where it joined, above the woven band of the ephod.

21And they bound the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a violet cord, so that it would be on the woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece would not come loose from the ephod, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

22Then he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of violet;

23and the opening of the robe was at the top in the center, as the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding all around its opening, so that it would not be torn.

24And they made pomegranates of violet, purple, and scarlet material and twisted linen on the hem of the robe.

25They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates all around on the hem of the robe,

26alternating a bell and a pomegranate all around on the hem of the robe for the service, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

27They also made the tunics of finely woven linen for Aaron and his sons,

28and the turban of fine linen, and the decorated caps of fine linen, and the linen undergarments of fine twisted linen,

29and the sash of fine twisted linen, and violet, purple, and scarlet material, the work of the weaver, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

30They also made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.”

31Then they fastened a violet cord to it, to fasten it on the turban above, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

32So all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did.

33Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings: its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its bases;

34and the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of fine leather, and the covering curtain;

35the ark of the testimony, its poles, and the atoning cover;

36the table, all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence;

37the pure gold lampstand, with its arrangement of lamps and all its utensils, and the oil for the light;

38and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the doorway of the tent;

39the bronze altar and its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils, the basin and its stand;

40the hangings for the courtyard, its pillars and its bases, and the curtain for the gate of the courtyard, its ropes and its pegs, and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting;

41the woven garments for ministering in the Holy Place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to serve as priests.

42So the sons of Israel did all the work according to everything that the Lord had commanded Moses.

43And Moses examined all the work, and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 39.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The priests' garments. (1–31). The tabernacle completed. (32–43).

vv1-31

The priests' garments were rich and splendid. The church in its infancy was thus taught by shadows of good things to come; but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel. Christ is our great High Priest. When he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, girded himself with resolution to go through the undertaking, took charge of all God's spiritual Israel, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them to his Father. And he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints, Re 19:8.

vv32-43

The tabernacle was a type or emblem of Jesus Christ. As the Most High dwelt visibly within the sanctuary, even on the ark, so did he reside in the human nature and tabernacle of his dear Son; in Christ dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col 2:9. The tabernacle was a symbol of every real Christian. In the soul of every true follower of the Saviour the Father dwells, the object of his worship, and the author of his blessings. The tabernacle also typified the church of the Redeemer. The meanest and the mightiest are alike dear to the Father's love, freely exercised through faith in Christ. The tabernacle was a type and emblem of the heavenly temple, Re 21:3. What, then, will be the splendour of His appearance, when the cloud shall be withdrawn, and his faithful worshippers shall see him as he is!

Cross References

Exodus 39
v22Exodus 28:31-35thematic

The original divine instructions for making the blue robe of the ephod.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v30Exodus 28:36-39thematic

The original command to engrave 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' on the golden plate.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Exodus 28:2-4thematic

The explicit commandment and pattern for Aaron's holy garments of service, which are here executed.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v2Exodus 28:6-12thematic

The precise instructions for fabricating the high priest's ephod, coupled at the shoulderpieces.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v8Exodus 28:13-29thematic

The detailed instructions for making the double breastplate of judgment with its four rows of stones.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v32Exodus 25:40thematic

The foundational command to build all tabernacle items according to the pattern shown on the mount.

Supported by JFB

v33Exodus 35:11-19thematic

The presentation of the finished tabernacle components corresponds to the public call for materials.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v43Genesis 1:31thematic

Moses inspects the completed work and pronounces it good, echoing God's creation inspection.

Supported by JFB

v1Exodus 31:10thematic

Earlier designation of the clothes of service and holy garments for Aaron's priestly ministry.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Exodus 39:41thematic

The final summary lists these completed clothes of service brought before Moses for inspection.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Exodus 28:12typology

The onyx stones on the shoulders serve as a memorial, typifying Christ bearing His people.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v7Exodus 28:29typology

Aaron bearing the names of Israel for a memorial, typifying Christ presenting His church.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

The precious stones of the breastplate parallel the gemstone foundations of the New Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v25Exodus 28:34thematic

The specific directive to alternate golden bells and pomegranates along the robe's hem.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v27Exodus 28:39-42thematic

The original instructions for the fine linen coats, mitres, and breeches for Aaron's sons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v30Zechariah 14:20thematic

Prophetic expansion where 'HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD' is written even on bells of horses.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v32Hebrews 8:5thematic

New Testament confirmation that Moses made everything precisely according to the heavenly pattern.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v35Hebrews 9:5typology

New Testament explanation of the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v41Exodus 39:1thematic

Connects back to the initiation of the priestly garments made for service.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v41Exodus 31:10thematic

Corresponds to the original command concerning the holy garments and clothes of service.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallels the subsequent blessing of the people by Moses and Aaron upon completion of setup.

Supported by JFB

v1Leviticus 8:7thematic

The actual investiture ceremony where Aaron is dressed in these completed garments.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Exodus 28:8thematic

The pattern for the curious girdle of the ephod made of identical materials.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v6Exodus 28:11thematic

Instructions for engraving the onyx stones like signets with the names of Israel's sons.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v8Exodus 28:15thematic

The directive to make the breastplate of judgment with skilled, artistic work.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v10Exodus 28:21thematic

Mandate that the twelve stones correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v15Exodus 28:14thematic

The requirement for wreathen chains of pure gold to secure the breastplate.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v32Exodus 40:33thematic

Parallel summary statement recording that Moses fully finished the work of the tabernacle.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v34Exodus 26:14thematic

The original instruction for the dyed rams' skins and badger skins tabernacle coverings.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v37Exodus 27:21thematic

The command for setting the lamps of the pure candlestick in order before the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v38Exodus 37:29thematic

The actual fabrication of the holy anointing oil and pure sweet incense.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v40Exodus 27:19thematic

The original directive for the pins and cords of the court tabernacle service.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v42Exodus 40:16thematic

Direct thematic parallel of Moses executing everything according to God's command.

v43Joshua 22:6thematic

Another historical milestone where Israel's leader blesses the people for obedient service.

v432 Samuel 6:18thematic

David blesses the people after finishing the placement of the ark.

v10Ezekiel 28:13thematic

Eden's precious stones match the specific list of gems on the high priest's breastplate.

Supported by John Calvin