Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Exodus » Chapter 37

Exodus 37:1-29 King James Version (KJV)

1 And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:

2 And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown 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 And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

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

6 And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7 And he made two cherubim of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;

8 One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubim on the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubim.

10 And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:

11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about.

12 Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.

13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof.

14 Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table.

15 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.

16 And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold.

17 And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:

18 And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

19 Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

21 And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.

22 Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.

23 And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

24 Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

25 And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.

26 And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about.

27 And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.

28 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

29 And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.


Exodus 37:1-29 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And Bezaleel H1212 made H6213 the ark H727 of shittim H7848 wood: H6086 two cubits H520 and a half H2677 was the length H753 of it, and a cubit H520 and a half H2677 the breadth H7341 of it, and a cubit H520 and a half H2677 the height H6967 of it:

2 And he overlaid H6823 it with pure H2889 gold H2091 within H1004 and without, H2351 and made H6213 a crown H2213 of gold H2091 to it round about. H5439

3 And he cast H3332 for it four H702 rings H2885 of gold, H2091 to be set by the four H702 corners H6471 of it; even two H8147 rings H2885 upon the one H259 side H6763 of it, and two H8147 rings H2885 upon the other H8145 side H6763 of it.

4 And he made H6213 staves H905 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 and overlaid H6823 them with gold. H2091

5 And he put H935 the staves H905 into the rings H2885 by the sides H6763 of the ark, H727 to bear H5375 the ark. H727

6 And he made H6213 the mercy seat H3727 of pure H2889 gold: H2091 two cubits H520 and a half H2677 was the length H753 thereof, and one cubit H520 and a half H2677 the breadth H7341 thereof.

7 And he made H6213 two H8147 cherubims H3742 of gold, H2091 beaten out of one piece H4749 made H6213 he them, on the two H8147 ends H7098 of the mercy seat; H3727

8 One H259 cherub H3742 on the end H7098 on this side, and another H259 cherub H3742 on the other end H7098 on that side: out of the mercy seat H3727 made H6213 he the cherubims H3742 on the two H8147 ends H7098 H7099 thereof.

9 And the cherubims H3742 spread out H6566 their wings H3671 on high, H4605 and covered H5526 with their wings H3671 over the mercy seat, H3727 with their faces H6440 one H376 to another; H251 even to the mercy seatward H3727 were the faces H6440 of the cherubims. H3742

10 And he made H6213 the table H7979 of shittim H7848 wood: H6086 two cubits H520 was the length H753 thereof, and a cubit H520 the breadth H7341 thereof, and a cubit H520 and a half H2677 the height H6967 thereof:

11 And he overlaid H6823 it with pure H2889 gold, H2091 and made H6213 thereunto a crown H2213 of gold H2091 round about. H5439

12 Also he made H6213 thereunto a border H4526 of an handbreadth H2948 round about; H5439 and made H6213 a crown H2213 of gold H2091 for the border H4526 thereof round about. H5439

13 And he cast H3332 for it four H702 rings H2885 of gold, H2091 and put H5414 the rings H2885 upon the four H702 corners H6285 that were in the four H702 feet H7272 thereof.

14 Over against H5980 the border H4526 were the rings, H2885 the places H1004 for the staves H905 to bear H5375 the table. H7979

15 And he made H6213 the staves H905 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 and overlaid H6823 them with gold, H2091 to bear H5375 the table. H7979

16 And he made H6213 the vessels H3627 which were upon the table, H7979 his dishes, H7086 and his spoons, H3709 and his bowls, H4518 and his covers H7184 to cover H5258 withal, H2004 of pure H2889 gold. H2091

17 And he made H6213 the candlestick H4501 of pure H2889 gold: H2091 of beaten work H4749 made H6213 he the candlestick; H4501 his shaft, H3409 and his branch, H7070 his bowls, H1375 his knops, H3730 and his flowers, H6525 were of the same:

18 And six H8337 branches H7070 going out H3318 of the sides H6654 thereof; three H7969 branches H7070 of the candlestick H4501 out of the one H259 side H6654 thereof, and three H7969 branches H7070 of the candlestick H4501 out of the other H8145 side H6654 thereof:

19 Three H7969 bowls H1375 made after the fashion of almonds H8246 in one H259 branch, H7070 a knop H3730 and a flower; H6525 and three H7969 bowls H1375 made like almonds H8246 in another H259 branch, H7070 a knop H3730 and a flower: H6525 so throughout the six H8337 branches H7070 going out H3318 of the candlestick. H4501

20 And in the candlestick H4501 were four H702 bowls H1375 made like almonds, H8246 his knops, H3730 and his flowers: H6525

21 And a knop H3730 under two H8147 branches H7070 of the same, and a knop H3730 under two H8147 branches H7070 of the same, and a knop H3730 under two H8147 branches H7070 of the same, according to the six H8337 branches H7070 going out H3318 of it.

22 Their knops H3730 and their branches H7070 were of the same: all of it was one H259 beaten work H4749 of pure H2889 gold. H2091

23 And he made H6213 his seven H7651 lamps, H5216 and his snuffers, H4457 and his snuffdishes, H4289 of pure H2889 gold. H2091

24 Of a talent H3603 of pure H2889 gold H2091 made H6213 he it, and all the vessels H3627 thereof.

25 And he made H6213 the incense H7004 altar H4196 of shittim H7848 wood: H6086 the length H753 of it was a cubit, H520 and the breadth H7341 of it a cubit; H520 it was foursquare; H7251 and two cubits H520 was the height H6967 of it; the horns H7161 thereof were of the same.

26 And he overlaid H6823 it with pure H2889 gold, H2091 both the top H1406 of it, and the sides H7023 thereof round about, H5439 and the horns H7161 of it: also he made H6213 unto it a crown H2213 of gold H2091 round about. H5439

27 And he made H6213 two H8147 rings H2885 of gold H2091 for it under the crown H2213 thereof, by the two H8147 corners H6763 of it, upon the two H8147 sides H6654 thereof, to be places H1004 for the staves H905 to bear H5375 it withal.

28 And he made H6213 the staves H905 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 and overlaid H6823 them with gold. H2091

29 And he made H6213 the holy H6944 anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and the pure H2889 incense H7004 of sweet spices, H5561 according to the work H4639 of the apothecary. H7543


Exodus 37:1-29 American Standard (ASV)

1 And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:

2 and he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.

3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, in the four feet thereof; even two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.

4 And he made staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

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

6 And he made a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half `was' the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7 And he made two cherubim of gold; of beaten work made he them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat;

8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end: of one piece with the mercy-seat made he the cherubim at the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the mercy-seat were the faces of the cherubim.

10 And he made the table of acacia wood: two cubits `was' the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:

11 and he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereto a crown of gold round about.

12 And he made unto it a border of a handbreadth round about, and made a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that were on the four feet thereof.

14 Close by the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table.

15 And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.

16 And he made the vessels which were upon the table, the dishes thereof, and the spoons thereof, and the bowls thereof, and the flagons thereof, wherewith to pour out, of pure gold.

17 And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, it knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with it:

18 and there were six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof:

19 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower, and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof;

21 and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it.

22 Their knops and their branches were of one piece with it: the whole of it was one beaten work of pure gold.

23 And he made the lamps thereof, seven, and the snuffers thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, of pure gold.

24 Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

25 And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, foursquare; and two cubits was the height thereof; the horns thereof were of one piece with it.

26 And he overlaid it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: and he made unto it a crown of gold round about.

27 And he made for it two golden rings under the crown thereof, upon the two ribs thereof, upon the two sides of it, for places for staves wherewith to bear it.

28 And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

29 And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.


Exodus 37:1-29 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Bezaleel maketh the ark of shittim wood, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height;

2 and he overlayeth it with pure gold within and without, and maketh for it a wreath of gold round about;

3 and he casteth for it four rings of gold, on its four feet, even two rings on its one side, and two rings on its second side;

4 and he maketh staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold,

5 and he bringeth in the staves into the rings, by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6 And he maketh a mercy-seat of pure gold, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth;

7 and he maketh two cherubs of gold, of beaten work he hath made them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat;

8 one cherub at the end on this `side', and one cherub at the end on that, out of the mercy-seat he hath made the cherubs, at its two ends;

9 and the cherubs are spreading out wings on high, covering over the mercy-seat with their wings, and their faces `are' one towards another; towards the mercy-seat have the faces of the cherubs been.

10 And he maketh the table of shittim wood; two cubits its length, and a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height,

11 and overlayeth it with pure gold, and maketh for it a wreath of gold round about.

12 And he maketh for it a border of a handbreadth round about, and maketh a wreath of gold for its border round about;

13 and he casteth for it four rings of gold, and putteth the rings on the four corners which `are' to its four feet;

14 over-against the border have the rings been, places for staves to bear the table.

15 And he maketh the staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold, to bear the table;

16 and he maketh the vessels which `are' upon the table, its dishes, and its bowls, and its cups, and the cups by which they pour out, of pure gold.

17 And he maketh the candlestick of pure gold; of beaten work he hath made the candlestick, its base, and its branch, its calyxes, its knops, and its flowers, have been of the same;

18 and six branches are coming out of its sides, three branches of the candlestick out of its one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of its second side;

19 three calyxes, made like almonds, in the one branch, a knop and a flower; and three calyxes, made like almonds, in another branch, a knop and a flower; so to the six branches which are coming out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick `are' four calyxes, made like almonds, its knops, and its flowers,

21 and a knop under the two branches of the same, and a knop under the two branches of the same, and a knop under the two branches of the same, `are' to the six branches which are coming out of it;

22 their knops and their branches have been of the same; all of it one beaten work of pure gold.

23 And he maketh its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff-dishes, of pure gold;

24 of a talent of pure gold he hath made it, and all its vessels.

25 And he maketh the perfume-altar of shittim wood; a cubit its length, and a cubit its breadth (square), and two cubits its height; its horns have been of the same;

26 and he overlayeth it with pure gold, its top and its sides round about, and its horns; and he maketh for it a wreath of gold round about;

27 and two rings of gold he hath made for it under its wreath, at its two corners, at its two sides, for places for staves to bear it with them.

28 And he maketh the staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold;

29 and he maketh the holy anointing oil, and the pure spice-perfume -- work of a compounder.


Exodus 37:1-29 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And Bezaleel made the ark of acacia-wood; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

2 And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a border of gold upon it round about.

3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, for its four corners: two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.

4 And he made staves of acacia-wood and overlaid them with gold.

5 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark.

6 -- And he made a mercy-seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7 And he made two cherubim of gold; of beaten work did he make them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat;

8 one cherub at the end of one side, and one cherub at the end of the other side; out of the mercy-seat he made the two cherubim at the two ends thereof.

9 And the cherubim spread out [their] wings over it, covering over with their wings the mercy-seat; and their faces were opposite to one another: the faces of the cherubim were [turned] toward the mercy-seat.

10 And he made the table of acacia-wood; two cubits the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made upon it a border of gold round about.

12 And he made for it a margin of a hand-breadth round about; and made a border of gold for the margin thereof round about.

13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that were on the four feet thereof.

14 Close to the margin were the rings, as receptacles of the staves to carry the table.

15 And he made the staves of acacia-wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.

16 And he made the utensils that were on the table, the dishes thereof, and the cups thereof, and the bowls thereof, and the goblets with which to pour out, of pure gold.

17 And he made the candlestick of pure gold; [of] beaten work he made the candlestick: its base, and its shaft, its cups, its knobs, and its flowers were of itself.

18 And six branches went out of the sides thereof -- three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof;

19 [there were] three cups shaped like almonds in the one branch, a knob and a flower; and three cups shaped like almonds in the other branch, a knob and a flower: so in the six branches which went out of the candlestick.

20 And in the candlestick were four cups, shaped like almonds, its knobs, and its flowers;

21 and a knob under two branches thereof, and [again] a knob under two branches thereof, and [again] a knob under two branches thereof, for the six branches which went out of it.

22 Their knobs and their branches were of itself -- all of one beaten work of pure gold.

23 And he made the seven lamps thereof, and the snuffers thereof, and the snuff-trays thereof, of pure gold.

24 Of a talent of pure gold he made it, and all its utensils.

25 And he made the altar of incense of acacia-wood; a cubit the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, square, and two cubits the height thereof: its horns were of itself.

26 And he overlaid it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and made upon it a border of gold round about.

27 And he made two rings of gold for it under its border, by its two corners, on the two sides thereof, as receptacles for the staves with which to carry it.

28 And he made the staves of acacia-wood, and overlaid them with gold.

29 And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of fragrant drugs, according to the work of the perfumer.


Exodus 37:1-29 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its breadth a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it round about.

3 He cast four rings of gold for it, in its four feet; even two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side.

4 He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its breadth.

7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work them, at the two ends of the mercy seat;

8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.

9 The cherubim spread out their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its breadth was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half.

11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.

12 He made a border of a handbreadth around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it.

13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet.

14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table.

15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.

16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

17 He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it.

18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of its one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of its other side:

19 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the lampstand.

20 In the lampstand were four cups made like almond-blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it.

22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold.

23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold.

24 He made it of a talent of pure gold, with all its vessels.

25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its breadth a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it.

26 He overlaid it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it.

27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it.

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

29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.


Exodus 37:1-29 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And Bezalel made the ark of hard wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide and a cubit and a half high;

2 Plating it inside and out with the best gold, and putting an edge of gold all round it.

3 And he made four gold rings for its four angles, two on one side and two on the other,

4 And rods of the same wood plated with gold.

5 These rods he put in the rings at the sides of the ark, for lifting it.

6 And he made the cover all of gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

7 And he made two winged ones, hammered out of one bit of gold, for the two ends of the cover;

8 Placing one at one end and one at the other; the winged ones were part of the cover.

9 And their wings were stretched out over the cover; the faces of the winged ones were opposite one another and facing the cover.

10 And he made the table of hard wood, two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high;

11 Plating it with the best gold and putting a gold edge all round it.

12 And he made a frame all round it about as wide as a man's hand, edged with gold all round.

13 And he made four gold rings, and put the rings at the angles of its four feet.

14 The rings were fixed under the frame to take the rods with which the table was to be lifted.

15 The rods for lifting the table he made of hard wood plated with gold.

16 And all the table-vessels, the plates and spoons and basins and the cups for liquids, he made of the best gold.

17 Then he made the support for the lights, all of the best gold; its base and its pillar were of hammered gold; its cups and buds and flowers were all made out of the same metal:

18 It had six branches coming out from its sides, three from one side and three from the other;

19 Every branch having three cups made like almond flowers, every cup with a bud and a flower on all the branches;

20 And on its pillar, four cups like almond flowers, every one with its bud and its flower;

21 And under every two branches a bud, made with the branch, for all six branches of it.

22 The buds and the branches were made of the same metal, all together one complete work of the best hammered gold.

23 And he made the seven vessels for the lights, and all the necessary instruments for it, of gold.

24 A talent of the best gold was used for the making of it and its vessels.

25 And he made the altar for the burning of spices, using the same hard wood; it was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high; the horns made of the same.

26 The top and the sides and the horns were all plated with the best gold; and he put an edge of gold all round it.

27 And he made two gold rings, placing them on the two opposite sides under the edge, to take the rods for lifting it.

28 The rods he made of the same hard wood, plating them with gold.

29 And he made the holy oil and the perfume of sweet spices for burning, after the art of the perfume-maker.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Exodus 37

Commentary on Exodus 37 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 37

Bezaleel and his workmen are still busy, making

  • I. The ark with the mercy-seat and the cherubim (v. 1-9).
  • II. The table with its vessels (v. 10-16).
  • III. The candlestick with its appurtenances (v. 17-24).
  • IV. The golden altar for incense (v. 25-28).
  • V. The holy oil and incense (v. 29).

The particular appointment concerning each of which we had before the 25th and 30th chapters.

Exd 37:1-9

  • I. It may be thought strange that Moses, when he had recorded so fully the instructions given him upon the mount for the making of all these things, should here record as particularly the making of them, when it might have sufficed only to have said, in a few words, that each of these things was made exactly according to the directions before recited. We are sure that Moses, when he wrote by divine inspiration, used no vain repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture. Why then are so many chapters taken up with this narrative, which we are tempted to think needless and tedious? But we must consider,
    • 1. That Moses wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to whom it would be of great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred treasures with which they were entrusted. These several ornaments wherewith the tabernacle was furnished they were not admitted to see, but the priests only, and therefore it was requisite that they should be thus largely described particularly to them. That which they ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is written again and again: thus many of the same passages of the history of Christ are in the New Testament related by two or three, and some by four of the evangelists, for the same reason. The great things of God's law and gospel we need to have inculcated upon us again and again. To write the same (says St. Paul) to me is not grievous, but for you it is safe, Phil. 3:1.
    • 2. Moses would thus show the great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Having before given us the original, he here givers us the copy, that we may compare them, and observe how exactly they agree. Thus he appeals to every reader concerning his fidelity to him that appointed him, in all his house, and in all the particulars of it, Heb. 3:5. And thus he teaches us to have respect to all God's commandments, even to every iota and tittle of them.
    • 3. It is intimated hereby that God takes delight in the sincere obedience of his people, and keeps an exact account of it, which shall be produced to their honour in the resurrection of the just. None can be so punctual in their duty, but God will be as punctual in his notices of it. He is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, in any instance of it, Heb. 6:10.
    • 4. The spiritual riches and beauties of the gospel tabernacle are hereby recommended to our frequent and serious consideration. Go walk about this Zion, view it and review it: the more you contemplate the glories of the church, the more you will admire them and be in love with them. The charter of its privileges, and the account of its constitution, will very well bear a second reading.
  • II. In these verses we have an account of the making of the ark, with its glorious and most significant appurtenances, the mercy-seat and the cherubim. Consider these three together, and they represent the glory of a holy god, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is between them, in and by a Mediator.
    • 1. It is the glory of a holy god that he dwells between the cherubim; that is, is continually attended and adored by the blessed angels, whose swiftness was signified by their faces being one towards another.
    • 2. It is the character of an upright heart that, like the ark of the testimony, it has the law of God hid and kept in it.
    • 3. By Jesus Christ, the great propitiation, there is reconciliation made, and a communion settled, between us and God: he interposes between us and God's displeasure; and not only so, but through him we become entitled to God's favour. If he write his law in our heart, he will be to us a God and we shall be to him a people. From the mercy-seat he will teach us, there he will accept us, and show himself merciful to our unrighteousness; and under the shadow of his wings we shall be safe and easy.

Exd 37:10-24

Here is,

  • 1. The making of the table on which the show-bread was to be continually placed. God is a good householder, that always keeps a plentiful table. Is the world his tabernacle? His providence in it spreads a table for all the creatures: he provides food for all flesh. Is the church his tabernacle? His grace in it spreads a table for all believers, furnished with the bread of life. But observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on this table, and afterwards only by the priests; but to the table which Christ has spread in the new covenant all real Christians are invited guests; and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of, and a hearty welcome to.
  • 2. The making of the candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, v. 17, 22. This signified that light of divine revelation with which God's church upon earth (which is his tabernacle among men) has always been enlightened, being always supplied with fresh oil from Christ the good Olive, Zec. 4:2, 3. God's manifestations of himself in this world are but candle-light compared with the daylight of the future state. The Bible is a golden candlestick; it is of pure gold, Ps. 19:10. From it light is diffused to every part of God's tabernacle, that by it his spiritual priests may see to minister unto the Lord, and to do the service of his sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for necessary use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; there are many things which God saw fit to beautify his word with which we can no more give a reason for than for these knops and flowers, and yet we are sure that they were added for a good purpose. Let us bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the removal of it out of its place.

Exd 37:25-29

Here is,

  • 1. The making of the golden altar, on which incense was to be burnt daily, which signified both the prayers of saints and the intercession of Christ, to which are owing the acceptableness and success of those prayers. The rings and staves, and all the appurtenances of this altar, were overlaid with gold, as all the vessels of the table and candlestick were of gold, for these were used in the holy place. God is the best, and we must serve him with the best we have; but the best we can serve him with in his courts on earth is but as brass, compared with the gold, the sinless and spotless perfection, with which his saints shall serve him in his holy place above.
  • 2. The preparing of the incense which was to be burnt upon this altar, and with it the holy anointing oil (v. 29), according to the dispensatory, ch. 30:22, etc. God taught Bezaleel this art also; so that though he was not before acquainted with it yet he made up these things according to the work of the apothecary, as dexterously and exactly as if he had been bred up to the trade. Where God gives wisdom and grace, it will make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work.