Exodus 39 2

Exodus 39:2 kjv

And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

Exodus 39:2 nkjv

He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen.

Exodus 39:2 niv

They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

Exodus 39:2 esv

He made the ephod of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.

Exodus 39:2 nlt

Bezalel made the ephod of finely woven linen and embroidered it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 2 Meaning

Exodus 39:2 details the construction of the ephod, a principal garment of the High Priest, specifying the sacred and precious materials used: gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads woven into fine twined linen. This verse highlights the faithful execution of God's precise commands regarding the tabernacle and its holy vestments, emphasizing their intrinsic value and symbolic significance for the high priestly service.

Exodus 39 2 Context

Exodus 39 forms part of the lengthy section (Ex 25-40) dedicated to the detailed construction of the tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, alongside the garments for the high priest and priests. This chapter specifically recounts the making of the holy garments for Aaron, including the ephod described here. The previous chapters provided God's precise instructions for these items (Ex 28, 30), and chapters 36-39 depict their actual fabrication by the divinely gifted craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, and their assistants. The emphasis throughout is on strict obedience to God's pattern ("as the LORD had commanded Moses"). Historically, this was Israel's transition from slavery to nationhood, establishing their identity around God's presence among them via the Tabernacle. These rich materials and specific colors not only denoted holiness and beauty but also stood in stark contrast to the idolatrous and often grotesque practices of surrounding pagan religions, affirming Yahweh's unique, pure, and glorious nature.

Exodus 39 2 Word analysis

• And he made (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ - vayaya'asu): The Hebrew verb "ʿāsah" signifies doing, making, or accomplishing. Here, in the plural "he made," it refers collectively to the skilled artisans, led by Bezalel and Oholiab (Ex 31:1-6, 35:30-35), who were empowered by the Spirit of God with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for all kinds of craftsmanship. This highlights that the making of these sacred items was a divine initiative accomplished through human skill.
• the ephod (הָאֵפֹד - ha'ephod): This was a unique, highly significant outer garment worn by the High Priest. It was more than a simple apron; it formed a sleeveless, ornate vestment covering the back and front, joined at the shoulders and having a skillfully woven waistband. It served as the foundation upon which the breastpiece, containing the Urim and Thummim for divine guidance, was fastened. The ephod represented the High Priest's special office as mediator and representative of Israel before God.
• of gold (זָהָב - zahav): Threads of pure beaten gold were incorporated and woven into the fabric itself. Gold, being an incorruptible and precious metal, consistently symbolizes divine glory, holiness, deity, supreme value, and royalty throughout Scripture. Its use here speaks to the transcendent nature of the God served and the purity required for His service.
• blue (תְּכֵלֶת - tekheleth): This highly valued, ancient dye was extracted from a specific sea snail (Murex trunculus). Symbolically, blue is often associated with the heavens, the divine, heavenly purity, God's dwelling place, and His commandments (cf. the blue cord in tzitzit, Num 15:38-39). It signifies a connection to God's transcendent nature and the divine origin of the High Priest's calling.
• purple (אַרְגָּמָן - argaman): Also a precious dye, possibly from the Murex brandaris snail, purple was universally associated with royalty, majesty, kingship, and wealth due to its rarity and expense. Its inclusion on the ephod underscored God's sovereignty and the High Priest's role as serving a divine King, foreshadowing Christ's kingly authority.
• and scarlet material (תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי - tola'at shani): A vibrant crimson or scarlet dye, obtained from the dried bodies of female scale insects (Kermes ilicis). This color strongly symbolizes life, blood, sacrifice, and atonement in the Old Testament. It also speaks to royalty and power. For the High Priest's ephod, it alludes to the necessity of atoning sacrifice for sin and foreshadows the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
• and fine twined linen (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר - shesh mashzar): This refers to very high-quality Egyptian linen, made from multiple threads twisted together for extra strength and fineness. White linen typically symbolizes purity, holiness, righteousness, and divine splendor throughout the Bible (Rev 19:8). Its use in priestly garments underscored the required holiness and blamelessness in serving a holy God, prefiguring Christ's perfect righteousness.

Words-group analysis:The precise combination of "gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twined linen" is consistently commanded for the holiest elements of the tabernacle—the veil, the curtain for the Tent, the altar of burnt offering (braids), and crucially, the High Priest's garments. This intentional choice of materials, from the divine instructions in Exodus 28 to their execution in Exodus 39, paints a rich theological tapestry. Together, they symbolize:

• Divine Glory and Transcendence (Gold, Blue): God's majestic and heavenly presence.
• Sovereignty and Royalty (Purple, Gold): Acknowledging God as King over His people.
• Atonement and Redemption (Scarlet): Pointing to the shedding of blood necessary for dealing with sin.
• Purity, Holiness, and Righteousness (Fine Twined Linen): Essential attributes for approaching a holy God and descriptive of the mediator's required character, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Exodus 39 2 Bonus section

The intricate weaving of gold threads into the fabric was a demanding skill, referred to as "skillful artistry" (Ex 28:6). This detail emphasizes the exceptional craftsmanship, endowed by the Holy Spirit (Ex 31:3-5), required for the sacred work. It wasn't merely the selection of materials, but their exquisite preparation and integration, reflecting God's demand for excellence and beauty in His worship. The High Priest's ephod, being composed of such distinct and valuable elements, distinguished it from common garments, signifying its sacred purpose of mediating between a holy God and His people, visually depicting a living tapestry of divine truth.

Exodus 39 2 Commentary

Exodus 39:2 offers a concise yet profoundly symbolic description of the ephod's construction, underscoring the fidelity of the craftsmen to God's specific commands. The selection of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen was not arbitrary; each material and color conveyed profound theological meaning relevant to God's character and the High Priest's ministry. Gold signified divine glory and purity. Blue spoke of heaven and the divine presence. Purple denoted royalty and God's kingly rule. Scarlet symbolized sacrifice, atonement, and the vitality of life. Fine twined linen represented purity, holiness, and righteousness.

Together, these materials form a tangible representation of the divine qualities of the God whom the High Priest served and the sacred nature of the service itself. They reveal God's high standards for worship, emphasizing that He is to be approached with reverence, purity, and acknowledgment of His sovereign, redeeming power. Ultimately, these vestments and their rich symbolism powerfully foreshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who embodies perfect purity (linen), divine nature and glory (gold), heavenly origin (blue), kingly authority (purple), and accomplished atonement through His shed blood (scarlet). His ministry is the fulfillment of all that the high priestly ephod symbolized.