1 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.
2 And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, [even] every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it [withal]. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.
4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;
5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
8 And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work made he them.
9 The length of one curtain [was] twenty and eight cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: the curtains [were] all of one size.
10 And he coupled the five curtains one unto another: and [the other] five curtains he coupled one unto another.
11 And he made loops of blue on the edge of one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling: likewise he made in the uttermost side of [another] curtain, in the coupling of the second.
12 Fifty loops made he in one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain which [was] in the coupling of the second: the loops held one [curtain] to another.
13 And he made fifty taches of gold, and coupled the curtains one unto another with the taches: so it became one tabernacle.
14 And he made curtains [of] goats’ [hair] for the tent over the tabernacle: eleven curtains he made them.
15 The length of one curtain [was] thirty cubits, and four cubits [was] the breadth of one curtain: the eleven curtains [were] of one size.
16 And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
17 And he made fifty loops upon the uttermost edge of the curtain in the coupling, and fifty loops made he upon the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
18 And he made fifty taches [of] brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one.
19 And he made a covering for the tent [of] rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering [of] badgers’ skins above [that].
20 And he made boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood, standing up.
21 The length of a board [was] ten cubits, and the breadth of a board one cubit and a half.
22 One board had two tenons, equally distant one from another: thus did he make for all the boards of the tabernacle.
23 And he made boards for the tabernacle; twenty boards for the south side southward:
24 And forty sockets of silver he made under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, [which is] toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,
26 And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board.
27 And for the sides of the tabernacle westward he made six boards.
28 And two boards made he for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides.
29 And they were coupled beneath, and coupled together at the head thereof, to one ring: thus he did to both of them in both the corners.
30 And there were eight boards; and their sockets [were] sixteen sockets of silver, under every board two sockets.
31 And he made bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle,
32 And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the sides westward.
33 And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.
34 And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings [of] gold [to be] places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.
35 And he made a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: [with] cherubims made he it of cunning work.
36 And he made thereunto four pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlaid them with gold: their hooks [were of] gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
37 And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;
38 And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets [were of] brass.
Overview of Exodus Chapter 36
Exodus 36 details the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the contributions of the Israelites and the skilled artisans involved in the project. This chapter serves as a significant portion of the narrative of the Israelites’ journey and their relationship with God, showcasing themes of obedience, community, and divine craftsmanship.
Key Themes
- Divine Instruction and Human Obedience:
The chapter illustrates the importance of following God’s instructions as given to Moses regarding the building of the Tabernacle.
- Community Involvement:
The contributions of the Israelites highlight the collective effort required in fulfilling God’s commands.
- Artisan Skill and Craftsmanship:
The mention of skilled artisans underscores the value of talent and expertise in serving God.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-7: The Contributions of the People
The chapter begins with the acknowledgment of Bezalel and Oholiab, the chief artisans appointed by God, and the generous contributions of the Israelites, which exceeded what was needed for the construction.
- Verses 8-19: The Construction of the Tabernacle
This section describes the actual construction process, detailing the materials used and the specific dimensions and designs of the various components of the Tabernacle, including the curtains, coverings, and frames.
- Verses 20-34: The Framework and Structure
Here, the focus shifts to the framework of the Tabernacle, including the boards, sockets, and the overall structure necessary for stability and support.
- Verses 35-38: The Inner Furnishings and the Veil
The chapter concludes with descriptions of the inner furnishings, including the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the sacredness of the space.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-7: The Contributions of the People
In these opening verses, the text highlights the willingness of the Israelites to contribute materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. This reflects their commitment to the project and their desire to participate in the worship of God. The phrase “the people brought more than enough” illustrates the abundance of resources and the enthusiasm of the community.
Verses 8-19: The Construction of the Tabernacle
Here, the craftsmanship of Bezalel and Oholiab is emphasized, showcasing their God-given abilities. The detailed description of the materials, such as fine linen, goat hair, and animal skins, not only serves to provide a blueprint for the construction but also symbolizes the beauty and holiness of the dwelling place of God among His people.
Verses 20-34: The Framework and Structure
This section elaborates on the structural integrity of the Tabernacle. The use of acacia wood for the boards and the sockets of silver signifies strength and durability. The meticulous details provided in the measurements and arrangements reflect the importance of precision in fulfilling divine commands.
Verses 35-38: The Inner Furnishings and the Veil
The final verses focus on the sacred items within the Tabernacle, including the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil symbolizes the separation between God and humanity due to sin, and its design reflects the beauty and sanctity of God’s presence. The description of the furnishings indicates their significance in the worship practices of the Israelites.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 36 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites, illustrating their collective effort to create a dwelling place for God. The themes of obedience, community, and craftsmanship resonate throughout the chapter, reinforcing the importance of each individual’s contributions to the communal worship of God. The detailed descriptions of the construction process provide a lasting legacy of the Israelites’ devotion and the significance of the Tabernacle in their spiritual journey.
