Exodus 37
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And Bezaleel made the ark, etc. - For a description of the ark, see Exo 25:10 (note), etc.
Open source ↗FURNITURE OF THE TABERNACLE. (Exo. 37:1-29) Bezaleel made the ark--The description here given of the things within the sacred edifice is almost word for word the same as that contained in Exo. 25:1-40. It is not on that account to be regarded as a useless repetition of minute particulars; for by the enumeration of these details, it can be seen how exactly everything was fashioned according to the "pattern shown on the mount" [Exo 25:40]; and the knowledge of this exact correspondence between the prescription and the execution was essential to the purposes of the fabric.
Open source ↗And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood,.... Jarchi says, because he gave his mind to this work more than the rest of the wise men, it is called by his name. It is a notion of some Jewish writers that the ark was made by Bezaleel, without the help of others; but there is no sufficient reason to be given for it; for other things are equally ascribed to him in this and the following chapter, as the mercy seat with the cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick of pure gold, the two altars, the laver of brass, with other things, which are only said to be made by him, because they were made by his direction, and he having the oversight of them while making; wherefore Aben Ezra observes, that this is particularly said for the glory of the ark. Of the ark, and all other things mentioned in this chapter; see Gill on Exo 25:1 &c. to end of chapter; see Gill on Exo 30:1 &c. to end of chapter. Next: Exodus Chapter 38
Open source ↗I. It may be thought strange that Moses, when he had recorded so fully the instructions given him upon the mount for the making of all these things, should here record as particularly the making of them, when it might have sufficed only to have said, in a few words, that each of these things was made exactly according to the directions before recited. We are sure that Moses, when he wrote by divine inspiration, used no vain repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture. Why then are so many chapters taken up with this narrative, which we are tempted to think needless and tedious? But we must consider, 1. That Moses wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to whom it would be of great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred treasures with which they were entrusted. These several ornaments wherewith the tabernacle was furnished they were not admitted to see, but the priests only, and therefore it was requisite that they should be thus largely described particularly to them. That which they ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is written again and again: thus many of the same passages of the history of Christ are in the New Testament related by two or three, and some by four of the evangelists, for the same reason. The great things of God's law and gospel we need to have inculcated upon us again and again. To write the same (says St. Paul) to me is not grievous, but for you it is safe, Phi 3:1. 2. Moses would thus show the great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Having before given us the original, he here givers us the copy, that we may compare them, and observe how exactly they agree. Thus he appeals to every reader concerning his fidelity to him that appoi…
Open source ↗37:1-29 While it is said that Bezalel made the Ark and all the rest of the furnishings (37:1, 10, 17, 25) as well as the courtyard and its furnishings (38:1, 8, 9, 18), this is probably only a way of saying that he was responsible and directed the other craftsmen and seamstresses.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בְּצַלְאֵל (Bᵉtsalʼêl, H1212) — Betsalel, the name of two Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height
Open source ↗צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זֵר (zêr, H2213) — a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky מִקְשָׁה (miqshâh, H4749) — rounded work, i.e. moulded by hammering (repousse) קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark)
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold קֶצֶו (qetsev, H7099) — a limit
Open source ↗כְּרוּב (kᵉrûwb, H3742) — a cherub or imaginary figure פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height
Open source ↗צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זֵר (zêr, H2213) — a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִסְגֶּרֶת (miçgereth, H4526) — something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region, of a panel); concretely, a stronghold טֹפַח (ṭôphach, H2948) — {a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally,… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… זֵר (zêr, H2213) — a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Open source ↗עֻמָּה (ʻummâh, H5980) — conjunction, i.e. society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix),… מִסְגֶּרֶת (miçgereth, H4526) — something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region, of a panel); concretely, a stronghold טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—