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 cherubims [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 cherubims on the two ends thereof.
9 And the cherubims 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 cherubims.
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.
Overview of Exodus Chapter 37
Exodus 37 details the construction of sacred objects for the Tabernacle, emphasizing the meticulous craftsmanship and the significance of each item. The chapter reflects the importance of divine instruction in the creation of religious artifacts and the role they play in the worship of God by the Israelites.
Key Elements of the Chapter
- The Ark of the Covenant
- The Mercy Seat
- The Table for the Bread of the Presence
- The Golden Lampstand
- The Altar of Incense
- The Altar of Burnt Offering
- The Basin for Washing
The Ark of the Covenant
The chapter begins with the detailed description of the Ark of the Covenant, which is a sacred chest that holds the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
- Materials Used: Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold.
- Dimensions: The Ark is specified to be two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high.
- Design Features: Includes rings for carrying and cherubim on the lid, known as the Mercy Seat.
The Mercy Seat
The Mercy Seat is described as the cover of the Ark, where God’s presence dwells. It is made of pure gold and features two cherubim facing each other.
- Symbolism: Represents God’s throne and the place of atonement.
- Function: The high priest would sprinkle blood here on the Day of Atonement.
The Table for the Bread of the Presence
This table is crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It holds the showbread, which is a symbol of God’s provision.
- Dimensions: Two cubits long, one cubit wide, and one and a half cubits high.
- Design: Features golden dishes, pans, and bowls for the bread.
The Golden Lampstand
The golden lampstand, or menorah, is another significant item described in this chapter.
- Materials: Made from a single piece of gold.
- Design: Features six branches coming out from a central shaft, each holding lamps.
- Purpose: To provide light in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle.
The Altar of Incense
This altar is used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.
- Materials: Constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold.
- Dimensions: One cubit long and wide, and two cubits high.
The Altar of Burnt Offering
The altar for burnt offerings is essential for the sacrificial system of the Israelites.
- Materials: Made of acacia wood and covered with bronze.
- Dimensions: Five cubits long and wide, and three cubits high.
- Function: Used for offering animal sacrifices to God.
The Basin for Washing
The basin is designated for the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing rituals.
- Materials: Made of bronze, reflecting the importance of purity.
- Placement: Positioned between the Tabernacle and the altar.
Theological Implications
Exodus 37 highlights the significance of divine instruction in worship and the importance of holiness in approaching God. Each item serves a specific purpose in the worship of God and reflects His presence among His people.
- God’s Presence: The Ark and Mercy Seat symbolize God’s dwelling with His people.
- Worship and Sacrifice: The various altars emphasize the necessity of atonement and worship through sacrifice.
- Community and Identity: These artifacts establish a communal identity centered around worship and obedience to God’s commandments.
Conclusion
Exodus 37 serves as a detailed account of the sacred objects that form the foundation of Israelite worship. The chapter emphasizes the importance of following divine instructions and the significance of each item in the context of the Israelite faith and practice.
