Exodus37
New International Version
1Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
2He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
3He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
4Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
5And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
7Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
8He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover.
9The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
10They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.
11Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it.
12They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim.
13They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were.
14The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.
15The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold.
16And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.
17They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.
18Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other.
19Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand.
20And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.
21One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all.
22The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
23They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold.
24They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.
25They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.
26They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.
27They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it.
28They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 37.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle. (1-29).
vv1-29
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.
Key Words
בְּצַלְאֵל: Betsalel, the name of two Israelites
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אָרוֹן: a box
שִׁטָּה: the acacia (from its scourging thorns)
עֵץ: a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
אַמָּה: properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
חֵצִי: the half or middle
אֹרֶךְ: length
רֹחַב: width (literally or figuratively)
קוֹמָה: height
Cross References
Exodus 37The original instructions and blueprint for constructing the ark of shittim wood.
Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole
The original instructions for crafting the mercy seat and the beaten-gold cherubims.
Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole
The original instructions for the table of showbread and its vessels.
Supported by JFB
The original design specifications for the golden candlestick, branches, and bowls.
Supported by JFB
The original command and measurements for the golden altar of incense.
Supported by JFB
The divine recipes and restrictions for the holy anointing oil and sweet incense.
Supported by JFB
New Testament description of the cherubims of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
Supported by JFB
Epistle to the Hebrews outlining the table and candlestick in the sanctuary.
Supported by JFB
Thematic link between the burning of sweet incense and acceptable prayers of the saints.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Symbolized by cherubims looking toward the mercy seat, angels desire to look into salvation.
Supported by JFB