Exodus 37 26

Exodus 37:26 kjv

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.

Exodus 37:26 nkjv

And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it.

Exodus 37:26 niv

They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.

Exodus 37:26 esv

He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And he made a molding of gold around it,

Exodus 37:26 nlt

He overlaid the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and he ran a gold molding around the entire altar.

Exodus 37 verses

Exodus 37 26 Meaning

Exodus 37:26 describes the specific method and materials used by Bezalel, under divine instruction, for constructing the altar of incense for the Tabernacle. It details that the entire structure of the altar—its top and sides all around—was overlaid with pure gold, and a gold molding or "crown" was made around its top. This emphasized the altar's sacred purpose and its integral role in the worship system ordained by God, ensuring its pristine nature and high value fitting for objects consecrated to the Lord.

Exodus 37 26 Context

Exodus 37 is situated within the latter half of the book, specifically detailing the fulfillment of the divine commands given earlier in Exodus 25-31 for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. After God provided Moses with meticulous instructions on Mount Sinai, Bezalel and Oholiab, gifted with divine wisdom, undertake the craftsmanship. Verse 26 focuses on the golden altar of incense, which stood within the Holy Place, just before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. This altar was central to the daily worship of Israel, where incense, symbolic of prayers, ascended to God. Its precious construction underscores its sacred function and importance within the divinely appointed worship system. The use of pure gold across the tabernacle’s most holy vessels highlights the purity and holiness required for approaching God.

Exodus 37 26 Word analysis

• וַיְצַף (vaytsaf) - "and he overlaid" or "and he covered." From the root צָפָה (tsaphah), meaning "to overlay, plate, cover." This implies a layer of gold applied to a core structure, likely acacia wood (Ex 30:1, Ex 37:25), indicating that the object was not solid gold but veneered, demonstrating God's design often involves practical materials glorified by precious overlays, symbolic of making the mundane sacred through His touch.
• אֹתוֹ (oto) - "it," referring to the altar mentioned in the preceding verses. Direct object pronoun.
• זָהָב טָהוֹר (zahav ṭahor) - "pure gold."
  • זָהָב (zahav) - "gold." This metal was prized for its beauty, resistance to corrosion, malleability, and rarity. In the ancient world and in biblical typology, gold often symbolizes divinity, royalty, preciousness, holiness, and glory.
  • טָהוֹר (ṭahor) - "pure," "clean," "undefiled." The emphasis on "pure" gold stresses that the materials used for God's sacred furnishings must be unadulterated and of the highest quality, representing absolute dedication and setting apart from the common or profane. It signifies the perfect nature of God and the holy standard He requires in worship. This purity might also serve as a polemic against pagan practices which often involved mixing materials or using less precious metals for cultic objects, underscoring Yahweh's unparalleled glory and sanctity.
• גַּגּוֹ (gaggô) - "its top," "its roof." This refers to the flat upper surface of the altar where coals and incense were placed. The Hebrew word generally means "roof," signifying the uppermost part.
• וְאֶת קִירוֹתָיו (v’et qirotayv) - "and its walls," "and its sides." The literal "walls" or vertical surfaces of the altar, confirming a comprehensive golden covering of all visible external parts.
• סָבִיב (saviv) - "all around," "on every side." This word stresses the comprehensive nature of the overlay, indicating no part was left uncovered, signifying God’s perfection and the thoroughness required in His service. It also implies that the object, viewed from any angle, was consistently covered in preciousness.
• וְאֶת זֵרוֹ (v’et zērô) - "and its molding," or "and its crown."
  • זֵר (zēr) - "molding," "border," "rim," or "crown." This refers to a decorative and possibly protective border around the top edge of the altar. Like the ark and table, the altar of incense was adorned with this "crown." Symbolically, a crown often signifies authority, kingship, honor, or completion. On a sacred object, it may denote its sacred boundary, its divine authority, or its honored place within God's dwelling.
• לְפָנִים (lifanim) - (Implied "previously" or "in front" but contextually used for continuity from instruction).

Word-groups Analysis:

• "overlay it with pure gold": This phrase recurs throughout the descriptions of the most sacred Tabernacle objects (Ark, Table of Showbread, Altar of Incense). It emphasizes divine instruction for material usage, prioritizing holiness and value. It showcases God's demand for excellence and sacredness in what pertains to Him, differentiating His worship from any worldly practices or idols which might be made of inferior or common materials (Ps 115:4-7).
• "its top and its sides all around": This precise instruction signifies completeness and meticulous detail. Every part exposed to view must be adorned, reflecting God's orderliness and the flawless nature of His presence. This speaks to the holistic sanctification required for interaction with God, leaving no aspect uncovered.
• "and its molding/crown": The inclusion of a "crown" signifies elevation, dignity, and a border of sacredness. It is not merely functional but ornamental, enhancing the aesthetic and symbolic value, signifying that all worship to God is to be crowned with glory and honor.

Exodus 37 26 Bonus section

The repetitive use of specific terms like "pure gold" and the "molding/crown" for multiple sacred objects (Ark, Table of Showbread, Altar of Incense) reinforces a consistent divine aesthetic and theological principle across the holiest parts of the Tabernacle. It suggests that while distinct in function, these objects collectively represent a unified sanctuary where God’s presence resides in holiness and glory. The sensory aspect is also important: the visual glory of the shining gold combined with the fragrant aroma of incense created a multi-sensory experience of divine presence for the High Priest entering the Holy Place, serving as a powerful aid to worship. The altar’s gold overlay on a wood core (acacia wood from Ex 30:1, mentioned in Ex 37:25 for construction) further subtly represents God's transformation and glorification of ordinary elements for His sacred purposes.

Exodus 37 26 Commentary

Exodus 37:26 presents a meticulous detail in the construction of the altar of incense, emphasizing the use of "pure gold" for its overlay and the addition of a "crown." This is not just an aesthetic preference but a theological statement. The pervasive use of gold across the holiest Tabernacle furnishings speaks to God's immense worth, His glorious presence, and the absolute purity required in His worship. Pure gold, an incorruptible and precious metal, represents the unchanging and eternal nature of God Himself. The altar's purpose was to bear the ascending fragrance of incense, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people. The gold covering and the crown elevate this function, indicating that prayers offered to a holy God must be pure, esteemed, and arise from a life dedicated entirely to Him. In the New Covenant, this altar finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom our prayers, rendered pure by His sacrifice, ascend to God as a fragrant offering (Heb 7:25; Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3-4). The craftsmanship, carried out according to divine instruction, also reflects the importance of obedience and reverence in all acts of service to the Lord.