Exodus39
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
2He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
3They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.
4They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends.
5The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
6They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel.
7He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
8He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
9It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double.
10They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row;
11and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
12and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
13and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
14The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes.
15They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
16They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front.
19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward.
20They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
21They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
22He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
23The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn.
24They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen.
25They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates;
26a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
27They made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons,
28the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen, the linen trousers of fine twined linen,
29the sash of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
30They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HOLY TO YAHWEH”.
31They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
32Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that Yahweh commanded Moses; so they did.
33They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
34the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen,
35the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat,
36the table, all its vessels, the show bread,
37the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light,
38the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
39the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base,
40the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting,
41the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office.
42According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work.
43Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Yahweh had commanded. They had done so; and 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