Exodus39
New International Version
1From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.
2They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.
3They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands.
4They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened.
5Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.
6They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
7Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.
8They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.
9It was square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double.
10Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl;
11the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald;
12the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst;
13the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings.
14There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
15For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.
16They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece.
17They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
18and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.
19They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.
20Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod.
21They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.
22They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver—
23with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear.
24They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe.
25And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates.
26The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.
27For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen—the work of a weaver—
28and the turban of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen.
29The sash was made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.
30They made the plate, the sacred emblem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.
31Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban, as the Lord commanded Moses.
32So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.
33Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases;
34the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather and the shielding curtain;
35the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover;
36the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;
37the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the olive oil for the light;
38the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;
39the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;
40the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting;
41and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.
42The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
43Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 39.
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!
Key Words
תְּכֵלֶת: the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
אַרְגָּמָן: purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שְׂרָד: stitching (as pierced with a needle)
בֶּגֶד: a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage
שָׁרַת: to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
קֹדֶשׁ: a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אַהֲרוֹן: Aharon, the brother of Moses
צָוָה: (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Cross References
Exodus 39The original divine instructions for making the blue robe of the ephod.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The original command to engrave 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' on the golden plate.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The explicit commandment and pattern for Aaron's holy garments of service, which are here executed.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The precise instructions for fabricating the high priest's ephod, coupled at the shoulderpieces.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The detailed instructions for making the double breastplate of judgment with its four rows of stones.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The foundational command to build all tabernacle items according to the pattern shown on the mount.
Supported by JFB
The presentation of the finished tabernacle components corresponds to the public call for materials.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses inspects the completed work and pronounces it good, echoing God's creation inspection.
Supported by JFB
Earlier designation of the clothes of service and holy garments for Aaron's priestly ministry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The final summary lists these completed clothes of service brought before Moses for inspection.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The onyx stones on the shoulders serve as a memorial, typifying Christ bearing His people.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
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
The specific directive to alternate golden bells and pomegranates along the robe's hem.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original instructions for the fine linen coats, mitres, and breeches for Aaron's sons.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic expansion where 'HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD' is written even on bells of horses.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament confirmation that Moses made everything precisely according to the heavenly pattern.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament explanation of the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects back to the initiation of the priestly garments made for service.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
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
The actual investiture ceremony where Aaron is dressed in these completed garments.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The pattern for the curious girdle of the ephod made of identical materials.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Instructions for engraving the onyx stones like signets with the names of Israel's sons.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
The directive to make the breastplate of judgment with skilled, artistic work.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Mandate that the twelve stones correspond to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The requirement for wreathen chains of pure gold to secure the breastplate.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallel summary statement recording that Moses fully finished the work of the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original instruction for the dyed rams' skins and badger skins tabernacle coverings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The command for setting the lamps of the pure candlestick in order before the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The actual fabrication of the holy anointing oil and pure sweet incense.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The original directive for the pins and cords of the court tabernacle service.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct thematic parallel of Moses executing everything according to God's command.
Another historical milestone where Israel's leader blesses the people for obedient service.
David blesses the people after finishing the placement of the ark.
Eden's precious stones match the specific list of gems on the high priest's breastplate.
Supported by John Calvin