Exodus 37

1 Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
2 He covered it, both inside and out, with pure gold, and he put a gold strip around it.
3 He made four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on each side.
4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
5 He put the poles through the rings on each side of the Ark to carry it.
6 Then he made a lid of pure gold that was forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.
7 Then Bezalel hammered gold to make two creatures with wings and attached them to each end of the lid.
8 He made one creature on one end of the lid and the other creature on the other end. He attached them to the lid so that it would be one piece.
9 The creatures' wings were spread upward, covering the lid, and the creatures faced each other across the lid.
10 Then he made the table of acacia wood; it was thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold strip around it.
12 He made a frame three inches high that stood up all around the edge, and he put a gold strip around it.
13 Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were.
14 The rings were put close to the frame around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it.
15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were covered with gold.
16 He made of pure gold all the things that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings.
17 Then he made the lampstand of pure gold, hammering out its base and stand. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and stand.
18 Six branches went out from the sides of the lampstand -- three on one side and three on the other.
19 Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers, and each cup had a bud and a petal. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.
20 There were four more cups shaped like almond flowers on the lampstand itself, each with its buds and petals.
21 Three pairs of branches went out from the lampstand. A bud was under the place where each pair was attached to the lampstand. Each of the six branches going out from the lampstand was the same.
22 The buds, branches, and lampstand were all one piece of pure, hammered gold.
23 He made seven pure gold lamps for this lampstand, and he made pure gold wick trimmers and trays.
24 He used about seventy-five pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand and all the things that go with it.
25 Then he made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square -- eighteen inches long and eighteen inches wide -- and it was thirty-six inches high. Each corner that stuck out like a horn was joined into one piece with the altar.
26 He covered the top and all the sides and the corners with pure gold, and he put gold trim around the altar.
27 He made two gold rings and put them below the trim on opposite sides of the altar; these rings held the poles for carrying it.
28 He made the poles of acacia wood and covered them with gold.
29 Then he made the holy olive oil for appointing the priests and the pure, sweet-smelling incense. He made them like a person who mixes perfumes.

Exodus 37 Commentary

Chapter 37

The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle.

- 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 37

This chapter continues the account of the making of the tabernacle, and the furniture of it, particularly the ark, mercy seat, and cherubim, Ex 37:1-9 the shewbread table, and what appertained to that, Ex 37:10-16 the candlestick, and all the vessels of it, Ex 37:17-24 and the altar of incense, together with the anointing oil, and pure incense, Ex 37:25-29.

because he gave his mind to this work more than the rest of the wise men, it is called by his name. It is a notion of some Jewish writers that the ark was made by Bezaleel, without the help of others; but there is no sufficient reason to be given for it; for other things are equally ascribed to him in this and the following chapter, as the mercy seat with the cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick of pure gold, the two altars, the laver of brass, with other things, which are only said to be made by him, because they were made by his direction, and he having the oversight of them while making; wherefore Aben Ezra observes, that this is particularly said for the glory of the ark. Of the ark, and all other things mentioned in this chapter, \\see Gill on "Ex 25:1"\\ &c. to end of chapter, \\see Gill on "Ex 30:1"\\ &c. to end of chapter. 10564-941108-1324-Ex37.2

Exodus 37 Commentaries

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.