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Texts -- Exodus 38:1-17 (NET)

Context
The Making of the Altar for the Burnt Offering
38:1 He made the altar for the burnt offering of acacia wood seven feet six inches long and seven feet six inches wide – it was square – and its height was four feet six inches. 38:2 He made its horns on its four corners ; its horns were part of it, and he overlaid it with bronze . 38:3 He made all the utensils of the altar – the pots , the shovels , the tossing bowls , the meat hooks , and the fire pans – he made all its utensils of bronze . 38:4 He made a grating for the altar , a network of bronze under its ledge , halfway up from the bottom . 38:5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating , to provide places for the poles . 38:6 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze . 38:7 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar , with which to carry it. He made the altar hollow , out of boards . 38:8 He made the large basin of bronze and its pedestal of bronze from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the tent of meeting .
The Construction of the Courtyard
38:9 He made the courtyard . For the south side the hangings of the courtyard were of fine twisted linen , one hundred fifty feet long, 38:10 with their twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases , with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver . 38:11 For the north side the hangings were one hundred fifty feet , with their twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases , with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver . 38:12 For the west side there were hangings seventy-five feet long, with their ten posts and their ten bases , with the hooks of the posts and their bands of silver . 38:13 For the east side , toward the sunrise , it was seventy-five feet wide, 38:14 with hangings on one side of the gate that were twenty-two and a half feet long , with their three posts and their three bases , 38:15 and for the second side of the gate of the courtyard , just like the other , the hangings were twenty-two and a half feet long, with their three posts and their three bases . 38:16 All the hangings around the courtyard were of fine twisted linen . 38:17 The bases for the posts were bronze . The hooks of the posts and their bands were silver , their tops were overlaid with silver , and all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands .

Pericope

NET
  • Exo 38:1-8 -- The Making of the Altar for the Burnt Offering
  • Exo 38:9-20 -- The Construction of the Courtyard

Bible Dictionary

  • Tabernacle

    [ebd] (1.) A house or dwelling-place (Job 5:24; 18:6, etc.). (2.) A portable shrine (comp. Acts 19:24) containing the image of Moloch (Amos 5:26; marg. and R.V., "Siccuth"). (3.) The human body (2 Cor. 5:1, 4); a tent, as opposed ...
    [nave] TABERNACLE One existed before Moses received the pattern authorized on Mount Sinai, Ex. 33:7-11. The one instituted by Moses was called Sanctuary, Ex. 25:8; Tabernacle, Ex. 27:21; 33:7; 2 Chr. 5:5; of Testimony, Ex. 38:21; ...

  • Israel

    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • TABERNACLE, A

    [isbe] TABERNACLE, A - tab'-er-na-k'l ('ohel mo`edh "tent of meeting," mishkan, "dwelling"; skene): A. STRUCTURE AND HISTORY I. INTRODUCTORY 1. Earlier "Tent of Meeting" 2. A Stage in Revelation 3. The Tabernacle Proper II. STRUCTU...

  • HANGINGS

    [isbe] HANGINGS - hang'-ingz: (1) In English Versions of the Bible this word in the plural represents the Hebrew qela`im, the curtains of "fine twined linen" with which the court of the tabernacle was enclosed. These were five cubi...

  • TABERNACLE, B

    [isbe] TABERNACLE, B - B. IN CRITICISM I. CONSERVATIVE AND CRITICAL VIEWS II. ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE CRITICAL THEORY EXAMINED 1. Not Stated, That the Temple Was Constructed after the Pattern of the Tabernacle 2. No Trace of th...

  • Bezaleel

    [nave] BEZALEEL 1. A divinely inspired mechanic and master workman, who built the tabernacle, Ex. 31:2; 35:30-35; 36:1; 37:1; 38:1-7, 22. 2. Son of Pahath-moab, Ezra 10:30.

  • Altar

    [nave] ALTAR Built by Noah, Gen. 8:20; Abraham, Gen. 12:7, 8; 13:18; 22:9; Isaac, Gen. 26:25; Jacob, Gen. 33:20; 35:1-7; Moses, Ex. 17:15; 24:4; Balaam, Num. 23:1, 14, 29; Joshua, Deut. 27:4-7; Josh. 8:30-32; Reubenites and Gadites...

  • Hooks

    [nave] HOOKS For tabernacle, made of gold, Ex. 26:32, 37; 36:36; silver, Ex. 27:10; 38:10-12, 17, 19. In the temple, seen in Ezekiel's vision, Ezek. 40:43. Used for catching fish, Ezek. 29:4. For pruning, Isa. 2:4; 18:5; Joel 3:...

  • Grate

    [ebd] a network of brass for the bottom of the great altar of sacrifice (Ex. 27:4; 35:16; 38:4, 5, 30).
    [nave] GRATE, Ex. 27:4, 5; 38:4, 5.

  • Laver

    [ebd] (Heb. kiyor), a "basin" for boiling in, a "pan" for cooking (1 Sam. 2:14), a "fire-pan" or hearth (Zech. 12:6), the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 30:18, 28; 31:9; 35:16; 38:8; 39:39; 40:7, 11, 30, etc.),...
    [isbe] LAVER - la'-ver (kiyor): 1. In the Tabernacle: Every priest in attendance on the altar of Yahweh was required to wash his hands and his feet before entering upon his official duties (Ex 30:19 ff). To this end a laver was ord...
    [smith] In the tabernacle, a vessel of brass containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice. It stood in the fore offering sacrifice. It stood in the court between the altar and the door of t...
    [nave] LAVER Directions for making, Ex. 30:18-20. Situation of, in the tabernacle, tent of the congregation, and the altar, Ex. 40:7. Sanctified, Ex. 30:28; 40:11; Lev. 8:11. Used for washing, Ex. 40:30-32. Brazen, made by Solo...

  • Firepan

    [ebd] (Ex. 27:3; 38:3), one of the vessels of the temple service (rendered "snuff-dish" Ex. 25:38; 37:23; and "censer" Lev. 10:1; 16:12). It was probably a metallic cinder-basin used for the purpose of carrying live coal for burni...
    [isbe] FIREPAN - fir'-pan (machtah, "firepan," "censer," "snuffdish," from chathah, "to snatch up"): A vessel for carrying coals. Brazen firepans were part of the furnishings of the altar of burnt offerings (Ex 27:3; 38:3, and in N...
    [smith] one of the vessels of the temple service. (Exodus 27:3; 38:3; 2 Kings 25:15; Jeremiah 52:19) The same word is elsewhere rendered "snuff-dish," (Exodus 25:38; 37:23; Numbers 4:9) and "censer." (Leviticus 10:1; 16:12; Number...
    [nave] FIREPAN, Ex. 38:3; 2 Kin. 25:15.

  • FLESH-HOOK

    [ebd] a many-pronged fork used in the sacrificial services (1 Sam. 2:13, 14; Ex. 27:3; 38:3) by the priest in drawing away the flesh. The fat of the sacrifice, together with the breast and shoulder (Lev. 7:29-34), were presented b...
    [isbe] FLESH-HOOK - flesh'-hook (mazlegh, and plural mizlaghoth): One of the implements used around the sacrificial altar. According to Divine direction given to Moses (Ex 27:3; 38:3), it was to be made of brass, but later David fe...

  • FILLET

    [isbe] FILLET - fil'-et (chuT, chashuq): (1) Chut, from a root not used, meaning probably "to sew," therefore a string or a measuring rod or cord, and so a line, tape, thread, fillet. Jer 52:21 translated "line" (the King James Ver...

  • Mirror

    [smith] (Exodus 38:8; Job 37:18) The Hebrew women on coming out of Egypt probably brought with them mirrors like those which were used by the Egyptians, and were made of a mixed metal, chiefly copper, wrought with admirable skill, an...
    [nave] MIRROR Of bronze, Job 37:18. Given by the Israelite women to be melted for the bowls, Ex. 38:8. Figurative 1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Cor. 3:18; Jas. 1:23, 24.

  • Shittim

    [nave] SHITTIM 1. Called also Abel-shittim, Num. 33:49. A camping place of Israel, Num. 25:1; 33:49. Joshua sends spies from, Josh. 2:1. Valley of, Joel 3:18. Balaam prophesies in, Mic. 6:5. 2. Called also Shittah, a tree, the...

  • Shovel

    [isbe] SHOVEL - shuv'-l: (1) rachath, is a wooden shovel used on the threshing-floor for winnowing the grain (Isa 30:24). (2) ya`, is used in various passages to indicate some instrument employed to carry away ashes from the altar ...
    [nave] SHOVEL, a utensil in the tabernacle, Ex. 27:3; 38:3; Num. 4:14; temple, 1 Kin. 7:40; Jer. 52:18.

  • COPPER

    [smith] Heb. nechosheth , in the Authorized Version always rendered "brass," except in (Ezra 8:27) and Jere 15:12 It was almost exclusively used by the ancients for common purposes, and for every kind of instrument, as chains, pillar...

  • HANGING, HANGINGS

    [smith] The "hanging" was a curtain or ?covering? to close an entrance; one was placed before the door of the tabernacle. Exod 26:36,37; 39:38 The "hangings"; were used for covering, the walls of the court of the tabernacles just as...

  • EXODUS

    [smith] (that is, going out [of Egypt]), the second book of the law or Pentateuch. Its author was Moses. It was written probably during the forty-years wanderings int he wilderness, between B.C. 1491 and 1451. It may be divided into ...

  • Fleshhook

    [nave] FLESHHOOK Used in the tabernacle, Ex. 27:3; 38:3; Num. 4:14; 1 Sam. 2:13, 14. Made of gold, 1 Chr. 28:17; of bronze, 2 Chr. 4:16. See: Hooks.
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The Structure of the Tabernacle

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • One of the significant changes in the emphasis that occurs at this point in Genesis is from cursing in the primeval record to blessing in the patriarchal narratives. The Abrahamic Covenant is most important in this respect. H...
  • Exodus embraces about 431 years of history, from the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt (ca. 1876 B.C.) to the erection of the tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai (ca. 1445 B.C.). However 1:1-7 is a review of Jacob's ...
  • I. The liberation of Israel 1:1-15:21A. God's preparation of Israel and Moses chs. 1-41. The growth of Jacob's family 1:1-72. The Israelites' bondage in Egypt 1:8-223. Moses' birth and education 2:1-104. Moses' flight from Eg...
  • The renewal of the covenant made the erection of the tabernacle possible. Here begins what scholars refer to as the Code of the Priests (Exod. 35--Lev. 16). Having broken the covenant once, God proceeded to give His people mo...
  • The ark of the covenant 37:1-9 (cf. 25:10-22)The table of showbread 37:10-16 (cf. 25:23-30)The lampstand 37:17-24 (cf. 25:31-40)The altar of incense 37:25-28 (cf. 30:1-10)The anointing oil and incense 37:29 (cf. 30:22-28)The ...
  • The Israelites erected the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, almost exactly one year after the Israelites left Egypt (vv. 2, 17). This was about nine months after Israel had arrived at Mt. Sinai (cf. 19:1).First...
  • The writer now recorded the fulfillment of God's instructions to Moses that Israel should destroy the Midianites (25:16-18). In this account, the aftermath of the battle receives more attention than the battle itself. Evident...
  • The sons of Eli followed the example of Canaanite worship rather than the instruction of the Mosaic Law. Ritual prostitution was part of Canaanite worship, and Eli's sons seem to have adopted this custom. Even when their fath...
  • The text does not record exactly when the exiles arrived in Jerusalem, but it was probably sometime in 537 B.C. since Cyrus issued his decree in 538 B.C. The "seventh month"(v. 1) of the Jew's sacred calendar was Tishri (late...
  • This is the sixth and last message that Ezekiel received from the Lord the night before the refugees reached the exiles with the message that Jerusalem had fallen (cf. 33:21-22). It too deals with God's plans for Israel in th...
  • The Book of Ezekiel begins with a vision of God's glory (ch. 1), records the departure of God's glory (chs. 8-11), and ends with another vision of God's glory (chs. 40-48). This is the longest vision outside the Book of Revel...
  • A. Women served in the doorway of the Tabernacle (Exod. 38:8; 1 Sam. 2:22).The same word (saba) is used of their work as that of the Levites. These women were probably widows who devoted themselves to the service of God.B. Mi...
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