Exodus 37

1 B'tzal'el made the ark of acacia-wood three-and-three-quarters feet long, two-and-a-quarter feet wide and two-and-a-quarter feet high.

2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside and put a molding of gold for it around the top.

3 He cast four gold rings for it at its four feet, two rings on each side.

4 He made poles of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.

5 He put the carrying-poles for the ark in the rings on the sides of the ark.

6 He made a cover for the ark of pure gold, three-and-three-quarters feet long and two-and-a-quarter feet wide.

7 He made two k'ruvim of gold; he made them of hammered work for the two ends of the ark-cover -

8 one keruv for one end and one keruv for the other end; he made the k'ruvim of one piece with the ark-cover at its two ends.

9 The k'ruvim had their wings spread out above, so that their wings covered the ark; their faces were toward each other and toward the ark-cover.

10 He made the table of acacia-wood, three feet long, eighteen inches wide and eighteen inches high.

11 He overlaid it with pure gold and put a molding of gold around the top of it.

12 He made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a molding of gold around the rim.

13 He cast for it four gold rings and attached the rings to the four corners, near its four legs.

14 The rings to hold the carrying-poles for the table were placed close to the rim.

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

16 He made the utensils to be put on the table -its dishes, pans, bowls and pitchers - of pure gold.

17 He made the menorah of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, rings of outer leaves and flowers were a single unit.

18 There were six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on one side of it and three on the other.

19 On one branch were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; likewise on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah.

20 On the central shaft of the menorah were four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its ring of outer leaves and petals.

21 Where each pair of branches joined the central shaft was a ring of outer leaves of one piece with the pair of branches -thus for all six branches.

22 Their rings of outer leaves and their branches were of one piece with the shaft. Thus the whole menorah was one piece of hammered work made of pure gold.

23 He made its seven lamps, its tongs and its trays of pure gold.

24 The menorah and its utensils were made of sixty-six pounds of pure gold.

25 He made the altar on which to burn incense of acacia-wood, eighteen inches square and three feet high; its horns were a single unit.

26 He overlaid it with pure gold -its top, all around its sides and its horns; and he put around it a molding of gold.

27 He made two gold rings for it under its molding at the two corners on both sides, to hold the carrying-poles.

28 He made the poles of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of aromatic plant substances as would an expert perfume-maker.

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