Exodus 38 meaning explained in AI Summary
The altar of burnt offering and the bronze basin for washing are constructed. The courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle is also completed, with its curtains and hangings.
Chapter 38 of Exodus details the construction and furnishing of the tabernacle's courtyard, concluding the instructions for building God's dwelling place.
1. The Bronze Altar (vv. 1-7): This section describes the construction of the bronze altar for burnt offerings, including its dimensions, materials (bronze), and carrying poles.
2. The Bronze Basin (vv. 8): This single verse mentions the bronze basin and its stand, crafted from the bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the Tent of Meeting.
3. The Courtyard (vv. 9-20): This section details the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle, including its dimensions, curtains, entrance, and supporting pillars.
4. The Metals Used (vv. 21-24): This section provides a detailed account of the bronze, silver, and gold used in constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings. The metals were donated by the Israelites.
5. The Skilled Craftsman (vv. 25-31): The chapter concludes by highlighting Bezalel and Oholiab, the skilled craftsmen chosen by God to oversee the tabernacle's construction. It reiterates the weight of the precious metals used, emphasizing the Israelites' generosity in their offering.
Overall, Exodus Chapter 38 serves as a detailed inventory and conclusion to the tabernacle's construction. It emphasizes the Israelites' obedience and generosity in providing the materials and labor required to build God's dwelling place.
Exodus 38 bible study ai commentary
Exodus 38 chronicles the faithful completion of the Tabernacle's remaining major articles—the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Bronze Laver, and the Outer Court. This section transitions from craftsmanship to administration, presenting a detailed and public inventory of the precious metals contributed by the Israelites. The chapter underscores the themes of perfect obedience to God's blueprint, the overwhelming generosity of a repentant people, and the principle of accountability in sacred work, with every element foreshadowing New Testament redemptive realities.
Exodus 38 Context
The events occur at the foot of Mount Sinai after the renewal of the covenant following the Golden Calf apostasy. Israel, having been forgiven, now demonstrates its restored devotion through lavish, voluntary offerings. This construction account stands in stark contrast to both their recent idolatry and the religious practices of neighboring cultures. Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) temples were typically state-funded, monumental, immovable structures built for housing idols. The Tabernacle was unique: portable to symbolize a God who travels with His people, funded by the free-will offerings of the entire community, and designed for the worship of an invisible, transcendent God. This context highlights Israel's unique covenant relationship and religious identity.
Exodus 38:1-7
He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits was its length, and five cubits its breadth; it was square, and three cubits was its height. He made horns for it on its four corners; its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze... He made poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlaid them with bronze. And he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it with them. He made the altar hollow, with boards.
In-depth-analysis
- Builder and Blueprint: Bezalel, filled with the Spirit of God, constructs the altar, following the divine pattern given in Exodus 27. This emphasizes that human skill is sanctified and directed by God for His purposes.
- Acacia Wood and Bronze: Acacia wood (
shittim
) was dense, durable, and resistant to decay, symbolizing the incorruptible humanity of Christ. The bronze (nechoshet
) overlay speaks of judgment. Fire and blood, central to this altar's function, were instruments of judgment, which this bronze altar could withstand. It stood in the outer court, the first item one encountered, signifying that the path to God begins with confronting sin and judgment. - Horns of the Altar: The horns, being of one piece with the altar, were its most sacred part. They were where the blood of atonement was applied (Ex 29:12, Lev 4:7) and where a person could cling for refuge (1 Kgs 1:50). They symbolize the power and saving efficacy of the sacrifice.
- Hollow and Portable: Being hollow made the massive altar light enough to be carried by its poles. This portability was crucial, underscoring that God’s provision for sin journeyed with Israel everywhere.
Bible references
- Hebrews 13:10: 'We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.' (The ultimate altar and sacrifice in Christ).
- Ephesians 5:2: '...Christ... gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.' (Fulfillment of the burnt offering's purpose).
- Romans 12:1: '...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God...' (The believer's response to God's sacrificial mercy).
Cross references
Ex 27:1-8 (Original instructions), Lev 6:8-13 (Laws of the burnt offering), 1 Kgs 1:50-51 (Horns as refuge), Heb 9:14 (Christ's superior blood).
Polemics: Unlike the fixed, massive stone altars of pagan nations, Israel's portable altar declared that their God was not confined to a single location. Access to forgiveness and atonement was ever-present with the community on its journey.
Exodus 38:8
He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
In-depth-analysis
- The Mirrors: The bronze (
nechoshet
) was sourced from the mirrors (mar'ot
) of the women. Ancient mirrors were highly polished bronze sheets. This act is deeply symbolic: women surrendered items associated with personal appearance and vanity for an object of spiritual purification. Before approaching God, the priests had to see their own reflection (their state) and wash, signifying the need for moral and spiritual cleansing. - Ministering Women: The phrase "ministering women who served" (
ha-tzov'ot asher tzav'u
) uses a word (tsava
) typically associated with military service or organized labor. This was not a casual gathering but a designated group of devout women who had a formal role serving at the sanctuary entrance, possibly in prayer, service, or teaching other women. Their contribution was not merely material but also an extension of their dedicated service.
Bible references
- Titus 3:5: 'he saved us... by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.' (The spiritual reality behind the physical washing).
- James 1:23-24: 'For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror... and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.' (The mirror of God's Word reveals our need for change).
- 1 Samuel 2:22: 'Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing... and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.' (Shows this role of serving women continued, though sadly corrupted by Eli's sons).
Cross references
Ex 30:17-21 (Original instructions), Ps 26:6 (Washing hands in innocence), Lk 2:36-37 (Anna serving in the Temple), 1 Tim 2:9 (Call for modest adornment over external finery).
Exodus 38:9-20
And he made the court... For the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits... Their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their bands were of silver...
In-depth-analysis
- A Sacred Enclosure: The construction of the court creates a clear boundary between the holy ground of the Tabernacle and the rest of the camp. The fine twined linen fence acted as a barrier, showing that access to God is limited and divinely prescribed.
- Material Hierarchy: The material progression is symbolic: Bronze for the bases (ground level, judgment), Silver for the hooks and bands (holding things together, redemption), and Fine Linen for the curtains (righteousness, purity). This visually taught the way of approach to God.
- Single Entrance: The court had only one gate, the "screen" on the east side (v. 18-19), made of colorful yarn. This singular entrance signifies that there is only one way to approach God, a truth fulfilled in Christ.
Bible references
- John 10:9: 'I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved...' (Christ as the exclusive gate to salvation).
- Psalm 100:4: 'Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise...' (The purpose of entering the sacred space).
- Revelation 21:12: 'It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates...' (The New Jerusalem has many gates, but they are all for the redeemed to enter, showing expanded access in glory).
Cross references
Ex 27:9-19 (Original instructions), Num 3:25-26 (Gershonites' responsibility for the court), Ps 84:10 (Value of being in God's courts).
Exodus 38:21-31
These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the command of Moses... Bezalel the son of Uri... made all that the LORD commanded Moses... The gold that was used for the work... was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels... The silver from those of the congregation who were recorded was a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels... The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels...
In-depth-analysis
- The Records (
Pekudei
): This is the first great audit in Scripture. The word for records,pekudei
, gives the book of Numbers its Hebrew name (Bamidbar
is more common). It demonstrates meticulous accountability and transparency in handling God's resources, setting a standard for all future sacred leadership. - Tabernacle of the Testimony: The name emphasizes its primary function: to house the "Testimony" (
ha'edut
), the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Law resided at the heart of the dwelling place of God. - Leadership and Oversight: Moses commanded, Bezalel and Oholiab crafted, and Ithamar (Aaron's youngest son) administered the inventory, showing a structure of delegated authority and responsibility.
- The Metals Account:
- Gold (v. 24): 29 talents, 730 shekels (approx. 2,193 lbs or 995 kg). All from "wave offerings." Used for the most holy objects (Ark, Table, Lampstand), representing divinity and glory.
- Silver (v. 25-28): 100 talents, 1,775 shekels (approx. 7,544 lbs or 3,422 kg). Sourced from the half-shekel (
beka
) atonement money from every man 20 years and older (603,550 men). This silver was used for the sockets (foundations) of the sanctuary boards. The entire dwelling of God literally rested on the redemption price paid by every single person. - Bronze (v. 29-31): 70 talents, 2,400 shekels (approx. 5,280 lbs or 2,395 kg). Used for the outer court items that endured exposure and symbolized judgment.
Bible references
- 1 Peter 1:18-19: '...you were ransomed... not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ...' (Contrasts the temporary redemptive symbol of silver with the eternal reality).
- Matthew 17:24-27: '...your teacher does not pay the tax?... Go to the sea... take the first fish... you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.' (Jesus and Peter pay the Temple tax, echoing the half-shekel redemption money).
- 1 Corinthians 4:2: 'Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.' (The principle of accountability shown by Moses and Ithamar).
Cross references
Ex 30:11-16 (Atonement tax law), Num 1:45-46 (Census total matching the contributors), 2 Kgs 22:3-7 (Later king Josiah's temple repairs emphasize financial integrity).
Exodus chapter 38 analysis
- Generosity as Repentance: The immense value of the donated metals, given voluntarily (gold and bronze), stands in powerful contrast to the single gold earrings surrendered for the Golden Calf in Exodus 32. It is a tangible measure of the people's change of heart and renewed desire to worship Yahweh.
- Redemption as the Foundation: The silver sockets, made from the half-shekel atonement money, form the literal foundation of the sanctuary. This powerful architectural metaphor teaches that God’s dwelling with His people is founded upon the redemption of every individual. No one was too poor to contribute their part to the foundation, and no one could contribute more. Redemption is both personal and equalizing.
- Typology of Christ:
- Altar: Christ is both the sacrifice and the altar, the one who makes the offering acceptable to God.
- Laver: Christ cleanses his people through the "washing of water by the word" (Eph 5:26).
- Materials: Gold (His deity), Silver (His redemptive work), Bronze (His bearing of God's judgment).
- Faithful Execution: The recurring phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" is the central refrain of this section (Ex 38-39). It shows that the work was not based on human creativity or aesthetics but on precise obedience to the divine revelation. True worship is built on God's terms, not ours.
Exodus 38 summary
This chapter reports the construction of the bronze altar, the bronze laver from women's mirrors, and the entire outer court, faithfully adhering to God's designs. It then provides a detailed public accounting of all the gold, silver (from the atonement tax), and bronze contributed, demonstrating the people's incredible generosity and the leadership's financial integrity in completing the Tabernacle.
Exodus 38 AI Image Audio and Video










Exodus chapter 38 kjv
- 1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
- 2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.
- 3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
- 4 And he made for the altar a brazen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.
- 5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.
- 6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.
- 7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.
- 8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
- 9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:
- 10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brazen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
- 11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
- 12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
- 13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.
- 14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
- 15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
- 16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.
- 17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.
- 18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
- 19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.
- 20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.
- 21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.
- 22 And Bezaleel the son Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.
- 23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.
- 24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
- 25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
- 26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.
- 27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
- 28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.
- 29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.
- 30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brazen altar, and the brazen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,
- 31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.
Exodus chapter 38 nkjv
- 1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width?it was square?and its height was three cubits.
- 2 He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze.
- 3 He made all the utensils for the altar: the pans, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils he made of bronze.
- 4 And he made a grate of bronze network for the altar, under its rim, midway from the bottom.
- 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating, as holders for the poles.
- 6 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze.
- 7 Then he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to bear it. He made the altar hollow with boards.
- 8 He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
- 9 Then he made the court on the south side; the hangings of the court were of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long.
- 10 There were twenty pillars for them, with twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.
- 11 On the north side the hangings were one hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and their twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.
- 12 And on the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits, with ten pillars and their ten sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.
- 13 For the east side the hangings were fifty cubits.
- 14 The hangings of one side of the gate were fifteen cubits long, with their three pillars and their three sockets,
- 15 and the same for the other side of the court gate; on this side and that were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets.
- 16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine woven linen.
- 17 The sockets for the pillars were bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver, and the overlay of their capitals was silver; and all the pillars of the court had bands of silver.
- 18 The screen for the gate of the court was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. The length was twenty cubits, and the height along its width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court.
- 19 And there were four pillars with their four sockets of bronze; their hooks were silver, and the overlay of their capitals and their bands was silver.
- 20 All the pegs of the tabernacle, and of the court all around, were bronze.
- 21 This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.
- 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD had commanded Moses.
- 23 And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.
- 24 All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
- 25 And the silver from those who were numbered of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary:
- 26 a bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.
- 27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents, one talent for each socket.
- 28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made bands for them.
- 29 The offering of bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels.
- 30 And with it he made the sockets for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, and all the utensils for the altar,
- 31 the sockets for the court all around, the bases for the court gate, all the pegs for the tabernacle, and all the pegs for the court all around.
Exodus chapter 38 niv
- 1 They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.
- 2 They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze.
- 3 They made all its utensils of bronze?its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans.
- 4 They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar.
- 5 They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating.
- 6 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
- 7 They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards.
- 8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
- 9 Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen,
- 10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
- 11 The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
- 12 The west end was fifty cubits wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
- 13 The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide.
- 14 Curtains fifteen cubits long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,
- 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases.
- 16 All the curtains around the courtyard were of finely twisted linen.
- 17 The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks and bands on the posts were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver; so all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands.
- 18 The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen?the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,
- 19 with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver.
- 20 All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and of the surrounding courtyard were bronze.
- 21 These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses' command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.
- 22 (Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the LORD commanded Moses;
- 23 with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan?an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.)
- 24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.
- 25 The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel?
- 26 one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.
- 27 The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases for the sanctuary and for the curtain?100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base.
- 28 They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands.
- 29 The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.
- 30 They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils,
- 31 the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard.
Exodus chapter 38 esv
- 1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits was its length, and five cubits its breadth. It was square, and three cubits was its height.
- 2 He made horns for it on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
- 3 And he made all the utensils of the altar, the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its utensils of bronze.
- 4 And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down.
- 5 He cast four rings on the four corners of the bronze grating as holders for the poles.
- 6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
- 7 And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards.
- 8 He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.
- 9 And he made the court. For the south side the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits;
- 10 their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
- 11 And for the north side there were hangings of a hundred cubits; their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
- 12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their ten pillars, and their ten bases; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
- 13 And for the front to the east, fifty cubits.
- 14 The hangings for one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.
- 15 And so for the other side. On both sides of the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases.
- 16 All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen.
- 17 And the bases for the pillars were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. The overlaying of their capitals was also of silver, and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.
- 18 And the screen for the gate of the court was embroidered with needlework in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It was twenty cubits long and five cubits high in its breadth, corresponding to the hangings of the court.
- 19 And their pillars were four in number. Their four bases were of bronze, their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals and their fillets of silver.
- 20 And all the pegs for the tabernacle and for the court all around were of bronze.
- 21 These are the records of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, as they were recorded at the commandment of Moses, the responsibility of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
- 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses;
- 23 and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.
- 24 All the gold that was used for the work, in all the construction of the sanctuary, the gold from the offering, was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary.
- 25 The silver from those of the congregation who were recorded was a hundred talents and 1,775 shekels, by the shekel of the sanctuary:
- 26 a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.
- 27 The hundred talents of silver were for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil; a hundred bases for the hundred talents, a talent a base.
- 28 And of the 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their capitals and made fillets for them.
- 29 The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels;
- 30 with it he made the bases for the entrance of the tent of meeting, the bronze altar and the bronze grating for it and all the utensils of the altar,
- 31 the bases around the court, and the bases of the gate of the court, all the pegs of the tabernacle, and all the pegs around the court.
Exodus chapter 38 nlt
- 1 Next Bezalel used acacia wood to construct the square altar of burnt offering. It was 7 1?2 feet wide, 7 1?2 feet long, and 4 1?2 feet high.
- 2 He made horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar were all one piece. He overlaid the altar with bronze.
- 3 Then he made all the altar utensils of bronze ? the ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans.
- 4 Next he made a bronze grating and installed it halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.
- 5 He cast four rings and attached them to the corners of the bronze grating to hold the carrying poles.
- 6 He made the poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
- 7 He inserted the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar. The altar was hollow and was made from planks.
- 8 Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
- 9 Then Bezalel made the courtyard, which was enclosed with curtains made of finely woven linen. On the south side the curtains were 150 feet long.
- 10 They were held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. He hung the curtains with silver hooks and rings.
- 11 He made a similar set of curtains for the north side ? 150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. He hung the curtains with silver hooks and rings.
- 12 The curtains on the west end of the courtyard were 75 feet long, hung with silver hooks and rings and supported by ten posts set into ten bases.
- 13 The east end, the front, was also 75 feet long.
- 14 The courtyard entrance was on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side was 22 1?2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.
- 15 The curtain on the left side was also 22 1?2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.
- 16 All the curtains used in the courtyard were made of finely woven linen.
- 17 Each post had a bronze base, and all the hooks and rings were silver. The tops of the posts of the courtyard were overlaid with silver, and the rings to hold up the curtains were made of silver.
- 18 He made the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard of finely woven linen, and he decorated it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. It was 30 feet long, and its height was 7 1?2 feet, just like the curtains of the courtyard walls.
- 19 It was supported by four posts, each set securely in its own bronze base. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the hooks and rings were also made of silver.
- 20 All the tent pegs used in the Tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.
- 21 This is an inventory of the materials used in building the Tabernacle of the Covenant. The Levites compiled the figures, as Moses directed, and Ithamar son of Aaron the priest served as recorder.
- 22 Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
- 23 He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering with blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth.
- 24 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.
- 25 The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel.
- 26 This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday.
- 27 The hundred bases for the frames of the sanctuary walls and for the posts supporting the inner curtain required 7,500 pounds of silver, about 75 pounds for each base.
- 28 The remaining 45 pounds of silver was used to make the hooks and rings and to overlay the tops of the posts.
- 29 The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze,
- 30 which was used for casting the bases for the posts at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and for the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all the altar utensils.
- 31 Bronze was also used to make the bases for the posts that supported the curtains around the courtyard, the bases for the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard, and all the tent pegs for the Tabernacle and the courtyard.
- Bible Book of Exodus
- 1 Children of Israel
- 2 The story of Moses
- 3 Moses and the Burning Bush
- 4 Rod of Moses
- 5 First Encounter with Pharaoh
- 6 God Promises Deliverance
- 7 Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh
- 8 Plague of Frogs
- 9 The Fifth Plague: Egyptian Livestock Die
- 10 Plague of Locusts
- 11 A Final Plague Threatened
- 12 The First Passover
- 13 Consecration of the Firstborn
- 14 Moses parting the Red Sea
- 15 Song of Moses
- 16 Manna from Heaven in the Desert
- 17 Water from the Rock
- 18 Jethro's Advice to Moses
- 19 Moses at Mount Sinai
- 20 The Ten 10 Commandments
- 21 Laws About Slaves
- 22 Laws About Social Justice
- 23 Laws About the Sabbath and Festivals
- 24 Israel Affirms the Covenant
- 25 Contributions for the Sanctuary
- 26 Plans for the Tabernacle
- 27 The Bronze Altar
- 28 Aaron's priestly graments
- 29 Consecration of the Priests
- 30 The Altar of Incense
- 31 Bezalel and Oholiab
- 32 The Golden Calf
- 33 The Command to Leave Sinai
- 34 Moses Makes New Tablets
- 35 Rules of Sabbath
- 36 Wise Hearted Bezalel, Oholiab and craftsmen
- 37 Construction of the Ark of the Covenant
- 38 Making the Altar of Burnt Offering
- 39 Making the Priestly Garments
- 40 The Tabernacle Erected