Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Exodus » Chapter 36 » Verse 31-38

Exodus 36:31-38 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

31 And he made H6213 bars H1280 of shittim H7848 wood; H6086 five H2568 for the boards H7175 of the one H259 side H6763 of the tabernacle, H4908

32 And five H2568 bars H1280 for the boards H7175 of the other H8145 side H6763 of the tabernacle, H4908 and five H2568 bars H1280 for the boards H7175 of the tabernacle H4908 for the sides H3411 westward. H3220

33 And he made H6213 the middle H8484 bar H1280 to shoot H1272 through H8432 the boards H7175 from the one end H7097 to the other. H7097

34 And he overlaid H6823 the boards H7175 with gold, H2091 and made H6213 their rings H2885 of gold H2091 to be places H1004 for the bars, H1280 and overlaid H6823 the bars H1280 with gold. H2091

35 And he made H6213 a vail H6532 of blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen: H8336 with cherubims H3742 made H6213 he it of cunning H2803 work. H4639

36 And he made H6213 thereunto four H702 pillars H5982 of shittim H7848 wood, and overlaid H6823 them with gold: H2091 their hooks H2053 were of gold; H2091 and he cast H3332 for them four H702 sockets H134 of silver. H3701

37 And he made H6213 an hanging H4539 for the tabernacle H168 door H6607 of blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen, H8336 of needlework; H7551 H4639

38 And the five H2568 pillars H5982 of it with their hooks: H2053 and he overlaid H6823 their chapiters H7218 and their fillets H2838 with gold: H2091 but their five H2568 sockets H134 were of brass. H5178

Commentary on Exodus 36 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 36

Ex 36:1-38. Offerings Delivered to the Workmen.

1. Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, &c.—Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place; and from the moment the first pole was stuck in the ground till the final completion of the sacred edifice, he and his associates labored with all the energies both of mind and body engaged in the work. And what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse to human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition for honor; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the labors of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus—the strong irresistible impulse of higher and holier motives—obedience to the authority, zeal for the glory, and love to the service of God.

3. they (the workmen)

received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought, &c.—It appears that the building was begun after the first few contributions were made; it was progressively carried on, and no necessity occurred to suspend operations even for the shortest interval, from want of the requisite materials.

they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning, &c.—Moses, in common with other Oriental magistrates, had his morning levees for receiving the people (see on Ex 18:13); and it was while he was performing his magisterial duties that the people brought unto him freewill offerings every morning. Some who had nothing but their manual labor to give would spend a great part of the night in hastening to complete their self-imposed task before the early dawn; others might find their hearts constrained by silent meditations on their beds to open their coffers and give a part of their hoarded treasure to the pious object. All whose hearts were touched by piety, penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God (2Co 9:7).

5. they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough, &c.—By the calculations which the practised eyes of the workmen enabled them to make, they were unanimously of the opinion that the supply already far exceeded the demand and that no more contributions were required. Such a report reflects the highest honor on their character as men of the strictest honor and integrity, who, notwithstanding they had command of an untold amount of the most precious things and might, without any risk of human discovery, have appropriated much to their own use, were too high principled for such acts of peculation. Forthwith, a proclamation was issued to stop further contributions [Ex 36:6].

35. he made a veil of blue—the second or inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place, embroidered with cherubim and of great size and thickness.

37. made an hanging for the … door—Curtains of elaborately wrought needlework are often suspended over the entrance to tents of the great nomad sheiks, and throughout Persia, at the entrance of summer tents, mosques, and palaces. They are preferred as cooler and more elegant than wooden doors. This chapter contains an instructive narrative: it is the first instance of donations made for the worship of God, given from the wages of the people's sufferings and toils. They were acceptable to God (Php 4:18), and if the Israelites showed such liberality, how much more should those whose privilege it is to live under the Christian dispensation (1Co 6:20; 16:2).