Exodus 25:18-35

18 Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover.
19 Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold.
20 The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it.
21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark.
22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.
23 “Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.
24 Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge.
25 Decorate it with a 3-inch border all around, and run a gold molding along the border.
26 Make four gold rings for the table and attach them at the four corners next to the four legs.
27 Attach the rings near the border to hold the poles that are used to carry the table.
28 Make these poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
29 Make special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, ladles, pitchers, and jars—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.
30 Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before me at all times.
31 “Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals.
32 Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side.
33 Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.
34 Craft the center stem of the lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals.
35 There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem.

Exodus 25:18-35 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 3

  • [a]. Or Ark of the Testimony.
  • [b]. Hebrew 2 cubits [92 centimeters] long, 1 cubit [46 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] high.
  • [c]. Hebrew a border of a handbreadth [8 centimeters].
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