1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
3 And this [is] the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
4 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ [hair],
5 And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
10 And they shall make an ark [of] shittim wood: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put [them] in the four corners thereof; and two rings [shall be] in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.
13 And thou shalt make staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure gold: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
18 And thou shalt make two cherubims [of] gold, [of] beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: [even] of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth [their] wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces [shall look] one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
23 Thou shalt also make a table [of] shittim wood: two cubits [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that [are] on the four feet thereof.
27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
28 And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: [of] pure gold shalt thou make them.
30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
31 And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, [with] a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, [with] a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
34 And in the candlestick [shall be] four bowls made like unto almonds, [with] their knops and their flowers.
35 And [there shall be] 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 that proceed out of the candlestick.
36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it [shall be] one beaten work [of] pure gold.
37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, [shall be of] pure gold.
39 [Of] a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
40 And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Overview of Exodus Chapter 25
Exodus Chapter 25 marks a significant transition in the narrative of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. This chapter outlines God’s instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as a dwelling place for God’s presence among His people. The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship, community involvement, and the sacredness of the space designated for divine encounters.
Divine Instructions for the Tabernacle
The chapter begins with God commanding Moses to collect offerings from the Israelites for the construction of the Tabernacle. This act of giving is not merely for material purposes but serves as an expression of devotion and commitment to God.
1. Offerings for the Tabernacle
- God instructs Moses to ask the Israelites for contributions of gold, silver, bronze, and various materials such as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins, acacia wood, oil for the lamp, spices for the anointing oil, and fragrant incense.
- The offerings are to be voluntary, reflecting the willingness of the people to contribute to the sacred space.
2. The Purpose of the Tabernacle
The Tabernacle is to be constructed so that God may dwell among the Israelites. This concept of divine presence is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Detailed Specifications of the Tabernacle
The chapter provides intricate details regarding the design and materials of the Tabernacle, emphasizing its significance and the care with which it should be constructed.
1. The Structure of the Tabernacle
- The Tabernacle is to be made of ten curtains of fine linen and goat hair, with specific dimensions provided.
- It is to have a framework of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, highlighting the sacredness of the structure.
2. The Ark of the Covenant
One of the most critical components described in this chapter is the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolizes God’s presence and covenant with Israel.
- The Ark is to be made of acacia wood, measuring specific dimensions, and covered with pure gold.
- It will contain the tablets of the Law, representing God’s commandments to His people.
- The mercy seat, a cover for the Ark, is to be made of pure gold and features two cherubim on either end, facing each other with wings outstretched.
The Table for the Bread of the Presence
Another important piece of furniture described is the Table for the Bread of the Presence, which symbolizes God’s provision and fellowship with His people.
- The table is to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold.
- It will hold twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and is to be placed in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle.
The Golden Lampstand
The chapter also details the construction of the Golden Lampstand, which provides light within the Tabernacle.
- The lampstand is to be made of pure gold, with a central shaft and six branches extending from it.
- It is designed to hold lamps filled with oil, ensuring that the light burns continually.
Thematic Significance
Exodus Chapter 25 encapsulates several key themes:
- God’s Desire for Relationship: The instructions for the Tabernacle illustrate God’s desire to dwell among His people, emphasizing His commitment to a personal relationship.
- Community Involvement: The voluntary offerings highlight the importance of collective participation in worship and service to God.
- Holiness and Sacredness: The detailed specifications for the Tabernacle and its furnishings underscore the sacredness of worship and the need for reverence in approaching God.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 25 serves as a foundational text for understanding the significance of the Tabernacle in the Israelite community. It sets the stage for the subsequent chapters that detail the construction process and the establishment of worship practices, reinforcing the themes of divine presence, community, and holiness.
