Exodus 37

1 Bezalel made the ark out of acacia wood 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

2 He covered it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold molding around it.

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

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

5 He put them through the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.

6 He made the throne of mercy out of pure gold 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.

7 Then he made two angels out of hammered gold for the two ends of the throne of mercy,

8 one on each end. He formed the angels and the throne of mercy out of one piece [of gold].

9 The angels had their wings spread above the throne of mercy, overshadowing it. They faced each other, looking at the throne of mercy.

10 He made the table out of acacia wood 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold molding around it.

12 He made a rim 3 inches wide around it and put a gold molding around the rim.

13 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened the rings to the four corners, where the four legs were.

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

15 These poles were made out of acacia wood and were covered with gold.

16 For the table he made plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers to be used for pouring wine offerings. All of them were made out of pure gold.

17 He made the lamp stand out of pure gold. The lamp stand, its base, and its shaft, as well as the flower cups, buds, and petals were hammered out of one piece [of gold].

18 Six branches came out of its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other.

19 Each of the six branches coming out of the lamp stand had three flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals.

20 The lamp stand itself had four flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and petals.

21 There was a bud under each of the three pairs of branches coming out of the lamp stand.

22 The buds and branches were hammered out of the same piece of pure gold as the lamp stand.

23 He made the seven lamps, the tongs, and the incense burners out of pure gold.

24 The lamp stand and all the utensils were made out of 75 pounds of pure gold.

25 He made an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar were made out of one piece [of wood].

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

27 He made two gold rings and put them below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles for carrying it.

28 He made the poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold.

29 He also had a perfumer make the holy oil to be used for anointing and for the pure, sweet-smelling incense.

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