Exodus 35 12

Exodus 35:12 kjv

The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

Exodus 35:12 nkjv

the ark and its poles, with the mercy seat, and the veil of the covering;

Exodus 35:12 niv

the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it;

Exodus 35:12 esv

the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen;

Exodus 35:12 nlt

the Ark and its carrying poles;
the Ark's cover ? the place of atonement;
the inner curtain to shield the Ark;

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 12 Meaning

Exodus 35:12, situated within the broader context of Moses recounting God's commands for the Tabernacle's construction, specifically lists key sacred components: the ark, its carrying poles, the mercy seat that covered it, and the veil intended to separate the Holy of Holies. This verse delineates foundational elements that were to serve as the physical representations of God's dwelling presence among Israel and the means for His holy presence to be accessible for atonement. It underscores the precision and sanctity required for these central instruments of worship.

Exodus 35 12 Context

Exodus chapter 35 is a pivotal chapter, following the Golden Calf apostasy and Moses' subsequent intercession and renewed covenant on Mount Sinai. After receiving the second set of tablets and fresh instructions for the Tabernacle (Exo 34), Moses gathers the entire Israelite community. This chapter records Moses conveying God's detailed commands for constructing the Tabernacle, beginning with the call for freewill offerings (Exo 35:4-9) and listing the specific items and skilled personnel required. The historical context emphasizes the reconciliation between God and His people, marked by a renewed commitment to His presence among them. The comprehensive list of items, of which verse 12 is a part, highlights the meticulous design revealed by God, emphasizing the divine origin and sacred purpose of each component necessary for the dwelling place of a Holy God in the midst of a sinful people. This also indirectly serves as a polemic against the arbitrary idols like the golden calf, by stressing God's precise and orderly instructions for proper worship and communion with Him.

Exodus 35 12 Word analysis

• The ark (Hebrew: אֲרוֹן - aron): This is the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred article in the Tabernacle. Its primary purpose was to contain the two tablets of the Ten Commandments (Deut 10:5). Symbolically, it represented God's throne on earth and His covenantal presence with Israel. It was God's visible (though covered) sign among His people, representing His holy law and His faithful promise to dwell with them. Its sanctity was paramount, demanding reverence and specific handling protocols.

• and its poles (Hebrew: וּבַדָּיו - u-va ddav, from בַּדִּים baddim, meaning "bars" or "poles"): These were specially crafted wooden poles, overlaid with gold, designed to be inserted through rings on the sides of the ark. They were never to be removed (Exo 25:15). Their presence ensured that the Ark, and thus God's portable presence, could be carried without direct human contact. This underscored the holiness of the Ark and God's mobile, guiding presence, always accompanying His people through their wilderness journey.

• the mercy seat (Hebrew: כַּפֹּרֶת - kapporet): This was the solid gold lid that rested on top of the Ark, featuring two cherubim at its ends facing each other with their wings overshadowing the kapporet. The word kapporet derives from the root kapar, meaning "to cover" or "to atone." This was the focal point where God manifested His presence and where atonement was made for the sins of Israel by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, by sprinkling blood upon it (Lev 16). It signifies divine grace, the covering of sin, and the place where God met with man.

• and the veil of the covering (Hebrew: וּפָרֹכֶת הַמָּסָךְ - u-pharokhet ha-massakh):

  • The veil (Hebrew: פָּרֹכֶת - parokhet): This refers specifically to the thick, elaborately woven curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exo 26:33). It was a symbolic barrier, signifying the holiness of God and the inability of sinful humanity to directly access His unblemished presence. Only the High Priest, once a year, was permitted to pass through it after performing specific purification rituals.
  • of the covering (Hebrew: הַמָּסָךְ - ha-massakh): This term generally refers to a "screen" or "curtain" and appears in other contexts (e.g., for the door of the Tent of Meeting, Exo 26:36). Here, in conjunction with parokhet, it clarifies that this specific "veil" served as the "covering" or separation for the holiest section of the Tabernacle. It reinforced the idea of concealment and limited access to God's immediate presence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The ark and its poles": This grouping highlights the complete, portable nature of the Ark, symbolizing God's covenant and His accompanying presence throughout Israel's journey. It emphasizes that God's dwelling was not static but moved with His people, maintaining its holy boundary.
  • "The mercy seat and the veil of the covering": This pair stresses the combined elements crucial for access to God and atonement. The mercy seat was where God met Israel in atonement, and the veil regulated this sacred encounter, enforcing the necessary separation due to God's holiness. These elements collectively foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Christ that would tear the veil and provide direct access to God through His own blood.

Exodus 35 12 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: Each item mentioned in Exodus 35:12 carries profound typological significance pointing to Christ. The Ark points to Christ as the dwelling place of God, the embodiment of the covenant. Its poles speak to Christ's omnipresent ministry, reaching all people. The Mercy Seat (kapporet) finds its ultimate reality in Christ, who is our hilasterion (propitiation in Greek, Rom 3:25), through whose blood our sins are covered. The Veil symbolizes Christ's flesh, which, by being "torn" on the cross (Heb 10:20), provided a new and living way for humanity to directly access God's presence, removing the barrier of sin that separated them.
• Emphasis on Divine Order and Sanctity: The detailed and repeated instruction regarding these specific items throughout Exodus (commanded in Exo 25, listed for building in Exo 35, built in Exo 37, erected in Exo 40) highlights their extreme importance and the precise divine order required for their construction and usage. Any deviation would profane God's holy dwelling. This emphasizes God's sovereign design for worship and relationship, ensuring His purity is maintained even in His dwelling among imperfect humanity.

Exodus 35 12 Commentary

Exodus 35:12 lays out essential components of the Tabernacle, meticulously listing items directly related to God's immediate presence and Israel's atonement. The Ark served as the visible sign of God's covenant with Israel and His portable throne, its poles emphasizing His readiness to move with His people. The Mercy Seat, atop the Ark, was the divinely appointed place for expiation, where the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement, presented sacrificial blood, enabling a holy God to dwell among His sinful people. The Veil acted as a sacred barrier, highlighting God's inaccessible holiness and fallen humanity's need for an intermediary. Collectively, these items underscored the precision of divine command, the holiness of God, the provision for sin, and prototypically pointed to Christ—the ultimate fulfillment where His shed blood becomes the true propitiation (Mercy Seat) and His torn flesh (Veil) provides direct, unfettered access to God. The verse is not merely a list; it is an early divine blueprint for the sacred architecture of salvation.