Exodus 37NKJV
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Exodus37

New King James Version

1Then Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.

2He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it.

3And he cast for it four rings of gold to be set in its four corners: two rings on one side, and two rings on the other side of it.

4He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

5And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6He also made the mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width.

7He made two cherubim of beaten gold; he made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat:

8one cherub at one end on this side, and the other cherub at the other end on that side. He made the cherubim at the two ends of one piece with the mercy seat.

9The cherubim spread out their wings above, and covered the mercy seat with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10He made the table of acacia wood; two cubits was its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height.

11And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold all around it.

12Also he made a frame of a handbreadth all around it, and made a molding of gold for the frame all around it.

13And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that were at its four legs.

14The rings were close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table.

15And he made the poles of acacia wood to bear the table, and overlaid them with gold.

16He made of pure gold the utensils which were on the table: its dishes, its cups, its bowls, and its pitchers for pouring.

17He also made the lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece.

18And six branches came out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side.

19There were three bowls made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand.

20And on the lampstand itself were four bowls made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower.

21There was a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches extending from it.

22Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold.

23And he made its seven lamps, its wick-trimmers, and its trays of pure gold.

24Of a talent of pure gold he made it, with all its utensils.

25He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit—it was square—and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.

26And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it.

27He made two rings of gold for it under its molding, by its two corners on both sides, as holders for the poles with which to bear it.

28And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

29He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the perfumer.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 37.

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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.

Cross References

Exodus 37
v1Exodus 25:10-16thematic

The original instructions and blueprint for constructing the ark of shittim wood.

Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole

v6Exodus 25:17-22thematic

The original instructions for crafting the mercy seat and the beaten-gold cherubims.

Supported by JFB, Matthew Poole

v10Exodus 25:23-30thematic

The original instructions for the table of showbread and its vessels.

Supported by JFB

v17Exodus 25:31-39thematic

The original design specifications for the golden candlestick, branches, and bowls.

Supported by JFB

v25Exodus 30:1-5thematic

The original command and measurements for the golden altar of incense.

Supported by JFB

v29Exodus 30:23-38thematic

The divine recipes and restrictions for the holy anointing oil and sweet incense.

Supported by JFB

v6Hebrews 9:5thematic

New Testament description of the cherubims of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.

Supported by JFB

v10Hebrews 9:2thematic

Epistle to the Hebrews outlining the table and candlestick in the sanctuary.

Supported by JFB

v29Psalms 141:2thematic

Thematic link between the burning of sweet incense and acceptable prayers of the saints.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v91 Peter 1:12thematic

Symbolized by cherubims looking toward the mercy seat, angels desire to look into salvation.

Supported by JFB