Exodus 38:1-20

The Tabernacle Completed

1 ¹Then he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide, square, and three cubits high.

2 He made its horns on its four corners, its horns being of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.

3 He made all the utensils of the altar, the pails and the shovels and the basins, the flesh hooks and the firepans; he made all its utensils of bronze.

4 He made for the altar a grating of bronze network beneath, under its ledge, reaching halfway up.

5 He cast four rings on the four ends of the bronze grating as holders for the poles.

6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.

7 He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

8 ²Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

9 ³Then he made the court: for the south * side the hangings of the court were of fine twisted linen, one hundred cubits;

10 their twenty pillars, and their twenty sockets, made of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.

11 For the north side there were one hundred cubits; their twenty pillars and their twenty sockets were of bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.

12 For the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits with their ten pillars and their ten sockets; the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver.

13 For the east side fifty cubits.

14 The hangings for the one side of the gate were fifteen * cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets,

15 and so for the other side. On both * sides of the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen * cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets.

16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine twisted linen.

17 The sockets for the pillars were of bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands, of silver; and the overlaying of their tops, of silver, and all the pillars of the court were furnished with silver bands.

18 The screen of the gate of the court was the work of the weaver, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. And the length was twenty cubits and the height was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court.

19 Their four pillars and their four sockets were of bronze; their hooks were of silver, and the overlaying of their tops and their bands were of silver.

20 All the pegs of the tabernacle and of the court all around were of bronze.

Exodus 38:1-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 38

This chapter is a continuation of the account of the making of the things belonging to the tabernacle, particularly the altar of burnt offering, Ex 38:1-7 the laver of brass, and the things it was made of, Ex 38:8 the court and its hangings, pillars, sockets, hooks and pins, Ex 38:9-20 then follows an account of the quantities of gold, silver, and brass, expended in the making of the several things appertaining to the sanctuary, Ex 38:21-31.

Bezaleel made it, or it was made by his direction, he having the care and oversight of it, wherefore the making of it is ascribed to him, 2Ch 1:5 the account of this, its horns, vessels, rings, and staves, is carried on to Ex 38:2-7 of which \\see Gill on "Ex 27:1"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:2"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:3"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:4"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:5"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:6"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:7"\\ \\see Gill on "Ex 27:8"\\. 10593-941108-1338-Ex38.2

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 27:1-8
• 2. Exodus 30:18
• 3. Exodus 27:9-19

Footnotes

• [a]. I.e. One cubit equals approx 18 in.
• [b]. Lit "its length"
• [c]. Lit "its width"
• [d]. Lit "its height"
• [e]. Lit "were"
• [f]. Or "copper," and so for "bronze" throughout the ch
• [g]. Lit "with"
• [h]. Lit "to the side of the Negev, to the south"
• [i]. Or "bases"
• [j]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [k]. Or "bases"
• [l]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [m]. Or "bases"
• [n]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [o]. Lit "east side, eastward"
• [p]. Lit "shoulder"
• [q]. Or "bases"
• [r]. Lit "second"
• [s]. Lit "shoulder"
• [t]. Lit "On this side and on that side"
• [u]. Or "bases"
• [v]. Or "bases"
• [w]. Or "copper"
• [x]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [y]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [z]. Lit "variegator;" i.e. a weaver in colors
• [aa]. Or "violet"
• [ab]. Lit "height in width"
• [ac]. Or "bases"
• [ad]. Or "fillets, rings"
• [ae]. Lit "dwelling place"