Exodus, Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Verses 1-29: Crafting the Ark, Table, Lampstand, and Altar of Incense

1. Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
2. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
3. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
4. He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
5. He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6. He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
7. And he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
8. He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover.
9. The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.
10. He made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high.
11. He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it.
12. He also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim.
13. He cast for it four gold rings and fastened the rings to the four corners, where its four legs were.
14. The rings were close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.
15. He made the poles of acacia wood to carry the table and overlaid them with gold.
16. And he made the sacred articles that were to be on the table: its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings—of pure gold.
17. He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it.
18. There were six branches extending from its sides: three branches of the lampstand from one side and three branches of the lampstand from the other side.
19. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch, and so on for the six branches extending from the lampstand.
20. And on the lampstand itself were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.
21. A bud under two branches of one piece with it, a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it for the six branches extending from the lampstand.
22. Their buds and branches were of one piece with it, all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold.
23. He made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold.
24. He made it and all its utensils out of a talent of pure gold.
25. He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.
26. He overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.
27. He made two gold rings for it below its molding—two on each of its opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it.
28. He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
29. He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.

Interpretation: In this chapter, Bezalel’s craftsmanship in creating the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the bread of the Presence, the pure gold lampstand, and the altar of incense is detailed, showcasing the care and skill involved in crafting these sacred objects. Each item is made according to the LORD’s specifications, underscoring the importance of divine instructions in worship practices. The meticulous attention to detail in the workmanship symbolizes the Israelites’ reverence for God and their dedication to creating a sacred space for His presence. The use of precious materials like gold and acacia wood emphasizes the sanctity of the tabernacle and its furnishings, reflecting the glory and holiness of the LORD.