Exodus 37:2 kjv
And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
Exodus 37:2 nkjv
He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it.
Exodus 37:2 niv
He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
Exodus 37:2 esv
And he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it.
Exodus 37:2 nlt
He overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it.
Exodus 37 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:10-22 | Instructions for the Ark and its components, including gold. | God's divine pattern for the Ark. |
| Exod 25:11 | "And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without..." | Original divine command for the gold overlay. |
| Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship..." | Bezalel endowed with divine skill. |
| Exod 35:30-35 | Bezalel and Oholiab given divine skill for Tabernacle work. | Divine anointing for sacred craftsmanship. |
| Exod 37:1 | Bezalel made the ark of shittim wood... | Introduction to the Ark's construction. |
| Lev 10:10 | "...distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean..." | Distinction of holiness by separation. |
| Psa 19:10 | "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold..." | God's word's value exceeds pure gold. |
| Psa 45:13 | "The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold." | Internal glory and adornment with gold. |
| Psa 93:5 | "Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever." | God's house demands holiness and purity. |
| Heb 9:4 | "...wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;" | The Ark's contents signifying divine provision, authority, and law. |
| Heb 8:1-2 | "...a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." | Heavenly reality of the earthly Tabernacle. |
| Heb 10:1 | "For the law having a shadow of good things to come..." | Tabernacle as a shadow pointing to Christ. |
| Matt 23:17 | "Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?" | Sanctification by that which is truly holy. |
| Rom 1:20 | "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen..." | God's character revealed in creation (including instructions). |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | "...redeemed, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ..." | Christ's perfect sacrifice for redemption, contrasting gold. |
| Col 2:9 | "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." | Christ is the true dwelling of God's fullness, perfect within and without. |
| Rev 21:18 | "...the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass." | Future New Jerusalem of pure gold, symbolic of glory and purity. |
| Rev 21:23 | "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." | The ultimate glory is God's presence. |
| 2 Cor 4:6 | "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." | Internal spiritual transformation and glory. |
| Jn 1:14 | "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." | Christ's "tabernacling" among humanity. |
| Isa 6:1 | "...I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." | God's ultimate heavenly glory and dwelling. |
| Ezek 43:12 | "This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy." | Principle of holiness around God's dwelling. |
Exodus 37 verses
Exodus 37 2 Meaning
The Ark of the Covenant, as constructed by Bezalel, was completely covered with the finest quality gold, both on its interior and exterior surfaces. Furthermore, an ornamental gold border or molding was fashioned and attached continuously around the top edge of the Ark. This meticulous construction emphasized its unparalleled sanctity, divine glory, and royal significance as the symbol of God's dwelling presence among His people.
Exodus 37 2 Context
Exodus 37:2 is situated within the broader narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically the account of Bezalel fulfilling the divine blueprint given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 25-31). This chapter details the actual making of the sacred furnishings by Bezalel, the chief craftsman, who was divinely endowed with skill and understanding. Following the completion of the Ark of the Covenant itself in Exo 37:1, verse 2 elaborates on the precise golden adornments that transformed it into a masterpiece befitting God's presence. This immediate context underscores not only human obedience to divine instruction but also the meticulousness required for anything associated with the Holy One of Israel, serving as the central symbol of God's covenant relationship with His people.
Exodus 37 2 Word analysis
- And he: Refers to Bezalel (from Exo 37:1), the artisan whom God specially empowered with divine skill and understanding for all manner of craftsmanship required for the Tabernacle (Exo 31:3-5). This highlights the divine source of the talent for constructing sacred objects.
- overlaid (וַיְצַף – vayitzaph): From the Hebrew root צָפָה (tsaphah), meaning "to plate," "to cover with a thin layer," or "to overlay." This indicates that the acacia wood frame of the Ark was not solid gold, but covered completely with a gold veneer. It denotes a precious covering, not mere paint, imparting divine glory without sacrificing portability.
- it: Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in the Tabernacle (Exo 37:1).
- with pure gold (זָהָב טָהוֹר – zahav tahor): "Pure" (tahor) signifies unadulterated, refined gold, free from impurities. This quality represents ultimate purity, perfection, and holiness, aligning with God's flawless nature. It differentiates God's dwelling from anything earthly or tarnished, symbolizing the sanctity required in His presence.
- within and without: This phrase emphasizes thoroughness and completeness. The gold covering was total, leaving no part of the less noble acacia wood exposed. This signifies perfect outward appearance mirroring internal integrity, allowing no hidden blemish. It points to a complete dedication to holiness, leaving no hidden corner for imperfection in the object representing God's perfect character.
- and made (וַיַּעַשׂ – vayya’as): Indicates the active crafting of an additional component.
- a crown (זֵר – zer): This Hebrew term, though often translated "crown," refers more precisely to a continuous molding, border, or decorative rim. It wasn't a separate, detached crown for placement but an integral part of the Ark's design, outlining and elevating the mercy seat. Its function was to distinguish and set apart the Ark's upper edge, emphasizing its supreme holiness and delimiting the area where the Mercy Seat and Cherubim resided. It conveys royalty and sacred separation, as only God sits upon the cherubim (1 Sam 4:4).
- of gold (זָהָב – zahav): Made of the precious metal, reiterating the theme of divine glory, value, and sanctity associated with the entire Ark.
- to it round about (לּוֹ סָבִיב – lo saviv): Specifies that the gold crown/border was continuous around all four sides of the Ark's top edge, completing the overall design and solidifying its demarcation as a supremely holy object.
Exodus 37 2 Bonus section
The Acacia wood (or Shittim wood, mentioned in Exo 37:1), a durable but ordinary wood, being completely enveloped by pure gold, speaks to the divine principle of glorification and sanctification. What is naturally common and prone to decay is made utterly pure, beautiful, and eternal through God's design. This prefigures how God's divine glory (represented by gold) covers and sanctifies humanity (represented by wood) in the person of Jesus Christ, making us worthy to stand in His presence (Col 2:9; Heb 9:11-14). The thoroughness "within and without" implies that God's holiness penetrates to the core, allowing for no outward display of righteousness that masks inner corruption. It reflects the truth that for God, integrity is not merely superficial but demands complete transformation.
Exodus 37 2 Commentary
Exodus 37:2 provides specific details of the Ark's ornamentation, revealing profound theological principles. The comprehensive covering of "pure gold within and without" conveys an absolute requirement for holiness and perfection in all that pertains to God's presence. There is no hidden impurity or external flaw; the Ark, mirroring God's character, is flawless through and through. This contrasts sharply with human sinfulness and calls for a complete consecration to God. The "crown of gold," rather than being a detachable regal adornment, was a continuous golden border. This feature served to elevate, distinguish, and set apart the Ark's most sacred surface – the area beneath the Mercy Seat where God's presence would manifest. It functions as a clear demarcation of ultimate sanctity, symbolizing God's undisputed kingship and the hallowed nature of His covenant with Israel. The meticulous attention to these details, guided by divine instruction and executed by Bezalel’s Spirit-empowered craftsmanship, highlights the immeasurable glory and importance of approaching the Holy God on His own terms, and points to the preeminent value placed on divine things.