Exodus 37

1 Next Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

2 He overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it.

3 He cast four gold rings and attached them to its four feet, two rings on each side.

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

5 He inserted the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

6 Then he made the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It was 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.

7 He made two cherubim from hammered gold and placed them on the two ends of the atonement cover.

8 He molded the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold.

9 The cherubim faced each other and looked down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they protected it.

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

11 He overlaid it with pure gold and ran a gold molding around the edge.

12 He decorated it with a 3-inch border all around, and he ran a gold molding along the border.

13 Then he cast four gold rings for the table and attached them at the four corners next to the four legs.

14 The rings were attached near the border to hold the poles that were used to carry the table.

15 He made these poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

16 Then he made special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, ladles, jars, and pitchers—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.

17 Then Bezalel made the lampstand of pure, hammered gold. He made the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals.

18 The lampstand had six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side.

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

20 The center stem of the lampstand was crafted with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.

21 There was an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extended from the center stem, all made of one piece.

22 The almond buds and branches were all of one piece with the center stem, and they were hammered from pure gold.

23 He also made seven lamps for the lampstand, lamp snuffers, and trays, all of pure gold.

24 The entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from 75 pounds of pure gold.

25 Then Bezalel made the incense altar of acacia wood. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.

26 He overlaid the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and he ran a gold molding around the entire altar.

27 He made two gold rings and attached them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles.

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

29 Then he made the sacred anointing oil and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of a skilled incense 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew 2.5 cubits [115 centimeters] long, 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits high.
• [b]. Hebrew 2.5 cubits [115 centimeters] long and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide.
• [c]. Hebrew he; also in 37:17, 25 .
• [d]. Hebrew 2 cubits [92 centimeters] long, 1 cubit [46 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] high.
• [e]. Hebrew a border of a handbreadth [8 centimeters].
• [f]. Hebrew 1 talent [34 kilograms].
• [g]. Hebrew 1 cubit [46 centimeters] long and 1 cubit wide, a square, and 2 cubits [92 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