Exodus 25:5-15

5 tanned ram skins and fine leather; acacia-wood;

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

7 onyx stones and other stones to be set, for the ritual vest and breastplate.

8 "They are to make me a sanctuary, so that I may live among them.

9 You are to make it according to everything I show you -the design of the tabernacle and the design of its furnishings. This is how you are to make it.

10 "They are to make an ark of acacia-wood three-and-three-quarters feet long, two-and-a-quarter feet wide and two-and-a-quarter feet high.

11 You are to overlay it with pure gold -overlay it both inside and outside -and put a molding of gold around the top of it.

12 Cast four gold rings for it, and attach them to its four feet, two rings on each side.

13 Make poles of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold.

14 Put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark; you will use them to carry the ark.

15 The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they are not to be removed from it.

Exodus 25:5-15 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.