Exodus 37

Constructing the Ark

1 Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. ^{[a] 1}

2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.

3 And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.

4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

5 He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.

The Mercy Seat

6 He constructed a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. ^{[b] 2}

7 He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

8 one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold.

9 And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

The Table of Showbread

10 He also made the table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. ^{[c] 3}

11 He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it.

12 And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide ^[d] and put a gold molding on the rim.

13 He cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners at its four legs.

14 The rings were placed close to the rim, to serve as holders for the poles used to carry the table.

15 He made the poles of acacia wood for carrying the table and overlaid them with gold.

16 He also made the utensils for the table out of pure gold: its plates and dishes, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

The Lampstand

17 Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. ⁴

18 Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other.

19 There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand.

20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals.

21 A bud was under the first pair of branches that extended from the lampstand, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair.

22 The buds and branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

23 He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold.

24 He made the lampstand and all its utensils from a talent of pure gold. ^[e]

The Altar of Incense

25 He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. ^[f] Its horns were of one piece. ⁵

26 And he overlaid with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns. Then he made a molding of gold around it.

27 He made two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it.

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

29 He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.

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.

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 25:10–16)
• 2. (Exodus 25:17–22)
• 3. (Exodus 25:23–30; Leviticus 24:5–9)
• 4. (Exodus 25:31–40; Numbers 8:1–4)
• 5. (Exodus 30:1–10)

Footnotes

• [a]. The ark was approximately 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (114.3 centimeters long, 68.6 centimeters wide, and 68.6 centimeters high).
• [b]. The mercy seat was approximately 3.75 feet long and 2.25 feet wide (114.3 centimeters long and 68.6 centimeters wide).
• [c]. The table was approximately 3 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (91.4 centimeters long, 45.7 centimeters wide, and 68.6 centimeters high).
• [d]. A handbreadth is approximately 2.9 inches or 7.4 centimeters.
• [e]. A talent is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold.
• [f]. The altar was approximately 1.5 feet in length and width, and 3 feet high (45.7 centimeters in length and width, and 91.4 centimeters high).

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