Exodus39
New Living Translation
1The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
2Bezalel made the ephod of finely woven linen and embroidered it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
3He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
4The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.
5The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
6They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved.
7He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
8Bezalel made the chestpiece with great skill and care. He made it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
9He made the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.
10They mounted four rows of gemstones on it. The first row contained a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald.
11The second row contained a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.
12The third row contained an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.
13The fourth row contained a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones were set in gold filigree.
14Each stone represented one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe was engraved on it like a seal.
15To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold thread.
16They also made two settings of gold filigree and two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece.
17They tied the two gold cords to the rings on the chestpiece.
18They tied the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.
19Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod.
20Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash was fastened to the ephod.
21They attached the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the decorative sash. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
22Bezalel made the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue woven cloth,
23with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would not tear.
24They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe.
25They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe,
26with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn whenever the priest ministered before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
27They made tunics for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth.
28The turban and the special head coverings were made of fine linen, and the undergarments were also made of finely woven linen.
29The sashes were made of finely woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
30Finally, they made the sacred medallion—the badge of holiness—of pure gold. They engraved it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord.
31They attached the medallion with a blue cord to Aaron’s turban, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
32And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
33And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
34the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;
35the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
36the table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;
37the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting;
38the gold altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;
39the bronze altar; the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand;
40the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs; all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle;
41the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.
42So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses.
43Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he 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