Exodus 25:1-9

Offerings to Build the Tabernacle

1 The Lord spoke to Moses:

2 "Tell the Israelites to take an offering for Me. You are to take My offering from everyone whose heart stirs him [to give].

3 This is the offering you are to receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze;

4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;

5 ram skins dyed red and manatee skins;^[a] acacia wood;

6 oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;

7 and onyx^[b] along with [other] gemstones for mounting on the ephod and breastpiece.^[c]

8 "They are to make a sanctuary for Me so that I may dwell among them.

9 You must make [it] according to all that I show you-the design of the tabernacle as well as the design of all its furnishings."

Exodus 25:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 25

In this chapter an order is given for a freewill offering towards various things for the worship and service of God, and the materials to be offered, which would be useful and acceptable, are mentioned particularly, Ex 25:1-7, as also another order to build a sanctuary for God, after a model that he would give, Ex 25:8,9, and, an ark to put in the law on tables of stone, the fashion of which, and the various things belonging to it, are described, Ex 25:10-16, and a mercy seat with cherubim on it to be set over the ark, where the Lord promises to meet Moses and commune with him, Ex 25:17-22 and a table with various appurtenances to it to place the shewbread on, Ex 25:23-30 and a candlestick of gold, whose parts are described, and all the instruments relative to it, Ex 25:31-40.

Footnotes

• [a] Or and dolphin skins, or and fine leather; Hb obscure
• [b] Or carnelian
• [c] Traditionally, breastplate