Exodus 39 3

Exodus 39:3 kjv

And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

Exodus 39:3 nkjv

And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs.

Exodus 39:3 niv

They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen?the work of skilled hands.

Exodus 39:3 esv

And they hammered out gold leaf, and he cut it into threads to work into the blue and purple and the scarlet yarns, and into the fine twined linen, in skilled design.

Exodus 39:3 nlt

He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 3 Meaning

Exodus 39:3 describes the meticulous preparation of precious materials—specifically gold, along with blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen—for the intricate sacred garments and possibly the Tabernacle's holy components. This verse highlights the exceptional skill and artistry employed by the divinely gifted craftsmen, ensuring that every detail conformed precisely to God's divine design. It signifies the reverence, excellence, and holiness required in the worship and service of the Most High God.

Exodus 39 3 Context

Exodus chapter 39 is part of a larger section (chapters 35-40) that details the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and the making of the priestly garments, strictly according to the divine blueprint given by God earlier (chapters 25-31). This verse specifically describes the preparation of the gold thread that would be interwoven with the dyed threads for the high priestly Ephod and possibly the breastplate. It demonstrates the precise and laborious steps taken to transform raw materials into holy objects for sacred worship. The meticulous adherence to God's instructions emphasizes the reverence and exactitude demanded for establishing His dwelling place among His people, reinforcing the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him according to His prescribed way. Historically, the elaborate Tabernacle would have stood in stark contrast to the often grotesque and uninspired idols of surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing the unique nature of Israel's God and His worship.

Exodus 39 3 Word analysis

• And they beat (וַיְרַקְּעוּ - vayraqq'u): From the root רָקַע (raqa'), meaning "to hammer out," "to spread out," or "to stamp upon." This denotes an intensive, repetitive, and skillful process of physical labor, indicating that the gold was meticulously thinned and flattened through hammering.
• the gold (הַזָּהָב - haz-zahav): This is the most precious and incorruptible of metals, symbolizing divine glory, purity, holiness, and supreme value in biblical typology. Its pervasive use in the Tabernacle underscored God's exalted nature.
• into thin plates (פַּתִּים - pattim): Plural of פַּת (pat), meaning "a piece," "slice," or "plate." Refers to thin, hammered sheets or foils. This shows the incredible craftsmanship to make gold so fine.
• and cut it into wires (וְקִצֵּץ פְּתִילֹת - veqitsets petilot):
  • cut it (וְקִצֵּץ - veqitsets): From the root קָצַץ (qatsats), meaning "to cut off," "to chop," or "to divide." This implies a precise, deliberate severance.
  • wires (פְּתִילֹת - petilot): Plural of פְּתִילָה (petilah), meaning "a cord," "thread," "line," or "fillet." This refers to narrow strips or filaments, showcasing remarkable ingenuity and dexterity in converting solid gold into a thread-like form suitable for weaving.
• to work it in (לַעֲשׂוֹת - la'asot): Infinitive construct of עָשָׂה ('asah), meaning "to make," "to do," "to fashion." It indicates the purpose and application of the prepared gold—to be incorporated into the fabric.
• the blue (הַתְּכֵלֶת - hattekhelet): A rich, deep sky-blue or violet-blue dye, typically derived from murex snails. Symbolically, blue represents heaven, divinity, the Holy Spirit, divine revelation, and remembrance of God's commandments.
• and in the purple (וּבָאַרְגָּמָן - uv-argaman): A costly dye, crimson-purple, derived from certain shells, often associated with royalty, majesty, wealth, and earthly dominion due to its expense and rarity (e.g., used for kings and wealthy individuals).
• and in the scarlet (וּבְשָׁנִי - uv-shani): A vibrant red or crimson dye, likely from the kermes insect. Scarlet often symbolizes life, blood, sacrifice, redemption, and human vitality.
• and in the fine linen (וּבַשֵׁשׁ - uv-shesh): Also known as byssus, a highly prized, pure white Egyptian linen. Symbolizes purity, righteousness, holiness, and light (especially in its "twisted" or mashzar form, indicating strength and quality).
• with cunning work (מַחֲשֶׁבֶת - makhashavet): From the root חָשַׁב (khashav), meaning "to think," "to plan," "to devise," or "to invent." The noun form refers to intricate, artistic design, skilled craftsmanship, or a product of ingenious planning. This denotes work requiring not just manual skill, but intellectual capacity, inventive thought, and divine inspiration for its detailed execution, signifying its extraordinary nature and complexity beyond ordinary labor.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires": This sequence describes the laborious and highly skilled transformation of a solid, raw precious metal into a usable textile component. It illustrates extraordinary craftsmanship and an almost alchemical precision, indicating that nothing less than perfection was suitable for the divine sanctuary. This was not a quick or easy process, underscoring the dedication and the value placed on the sacred task.
• "to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen": This highlights the integration of the precious gold threads with specific, vibrant, and highly symbolic colors and a pure fabric. Each color carried rich theological meaning (heavenly, royal, redemptive, pure), and their combination signifies the multifaceted nature of God's dwelling and the priesthood's representation, weaving divine glory (gold) with divine character.
• "with cunning work": This phrase encapsulates the high level of artistry and ingenious design involved. It was not merely assembly but sophisticated, divinely-inspired creative work (Ex 31:3), requiring both mental discernment and manual dexterity. It differentiates the sacred work from mere manual labor, elevating it to an art form guided by God Himself.

Exodus 39 3 Bonus section

The precise conversion of gold from plates to wires for weaving suggests an application where God's glory (gold) is intricately interwoven with human existence and actions, rather than simply overlaid. It speaks to a thorough and intimate integration. This prophetic craftsmanship can be seen as a foreshadowing of believers in Christ. Just as the Tabernacle was built according to a divine pattern (Heb 8:5), believers are being built up as a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5) according to Christ, the true cornerstone. Our gifts and skills, like those of Bezalel and Oholiab, are divinely appointed and empowered for God's glory (1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 2:10). The call to excellence and precise obedience in ancient Israel thus becomes a call to dedicated and skillful service in the New Covenant, utilizing all we have—even the most valuable and laborious aspects—for His Kingdom.

Exodus 39 3 Commentary

Exodus 39:3 encapsulates the incredible detail and supreme quality God commanded for His sanctuary and priesthood. The transformation of solid gold into fine thread for weaving highlights an unreserved offering of the finest and most precious materials. This level of craftsmanship, designated as "cunning work" and specifically enabled by the Spirit of God (Ex 31:3, 35:31-35), indicates that God values not just the materials themselves, but the skill and dedication of human hands consecrated to His service. The specific colors—blue, purple, scarlet—intertwined with fine linen and gold, were not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, prefiguring heavenly realities, kingship, redemption, and righteousness. This preparation ensures that every element of the Tabernacle and the priests' attire was a deliberate act of worship, reflecting divine majesty and purpose. In the broader biblical narrative, this echoes the perfect standard demanded for Christ, who embodied ultimate purity, kingship, and sacrifice, fulfilling the typological representations of these materials in His person and work, serving in a "more perfect tabernacle" (Heb 9:11). The meticulous care also underscores that our worship and service to God should be our very best, performed with excellence, wisdom, and sincerity.