Exodus 37:1-9

1 Bezaleel also made the ark of cedar wood; two cubits and a half was the length of it, a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it;

2 and he covered it with pure gold within and without and made a moulding of gold to it round about.

3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it: even two rings upon the one side of it and two rings upon the other side of it.

4 He also made the staves of cedar wood and covered them with gold.

5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6 He made the seat of reconciliation likewise of pure gold; two cubits and a half was its length, and one cubit and a half its breadth.

7 He also made the two cherubim of gold, beaten out of one piece he made them, on the two ends of the seat of reconciliation;

8 one cherub on the end on this side and another cherub on the other end on that side of the seat of reconciliation; he made the cherubim on the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubim spread out their wings above, covering with their wings the seat of reconciliation, with their faces one to another; the faces of the cherubim were facing the covering.

Exodus 37:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

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