Exodus 37:9-19

9 The k'ruvim had their wings spread out above, so that their wings covered the ark; their faces were toward each other and toward the ark-cover.

10 He made the table of acacia-wood, three feet long, eighteen inches wide and eighteen inches high.

11 He overlaid it with pure gold and put a molding of gold around the top of it.

12 He made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a molding of gold around the rim.

13 He cast for it four gold rings and attached the rings to the four corners, near its four legs.

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

15 He made the carrying-poles for the table of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.

16 He made the utensils to be put on the table -its dishes, pans, bowls and pitchers - of pure gold.

17 He made the menorah of pure gold. He made it of hammered work; its base, shaft, cups, rings of outer leaves and flowers were a single unit.

18 There were six branches extending from its sides, three branches of the menorah on one side of it and three on the other.

19 On one branch were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; likewise on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah.

Exodus 37:9-19 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