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Texts -- Exodus 38:1-29 (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 . 38:18 The curtain for the gate of the courtyard was of blue , purple , and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen , the work of an embroiderer . It was thirty feet long , and like the hangings in the courtyard , it was seven and a half feet high , 38:19 with four posts and their four bronze bases . Their hooks and their bands were silver , and their tops were overlaid with silver . 38:20 All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and of the courtyard all around were bronze .
The Materials of the Construction
38:21 This is the inventory of the tabernacle , the tabernacle of the testimony , which was counted by the order of Moses , being the work of the Levites under the direction of Ithamar , son of Aaron the priest . 38:22 Now Bezalel son of Uri , the son of Hur , of the tribe of Judah , made everything that the Lord had commanded Moses ; 38:23 and with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach , of the tribe of Dan , an artisan , a designer , and an embroiderer in blue , purple , and scarlet yarn and fine linen . 38:24 All the gold that was used for the work , in all the work of the sanctuary (namely , the gold of the wave offering ) was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels , according to the sanctuary shekel . 38:25 The silver of those who were numbered of the community was one hundred talents and 1,775 shekels , according to the sanctuary shekel , 38:26 one beka per person , that is, a half shekel , according to the sanctuary shekel , for everyone who crossed over to those numbered , from twenty years old or older , 603,550 in all. 38:27 The one hundred talents of silver were used for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the special curtain – one hundred bases for one hundred talents , one talent per base . 38:28 From the remaining 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the posts , overlaid their tops , and made bands for them. 38:29 The bronze of the wave offering was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels .

Pericope

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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...

  • Bezaleel

    [ebd] in the shadow of God; i.e., "under his protection", the artificer who executed the work of art in connection with the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 31:2; 35:30). He was engaged principally in works of metal, wood, and st...
    [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.

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Weights

    [ebd] Reduced to English troy-weight, the Hebrew weights were: (1.) The gerah (Lev. 27:25; Num. 3:47), a Hebrew word, meaning a grain or kernel, and hence a small weight. It was the twentieth part of a shekel, and equal to 12 grai...

  • 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.

  • Talent

    [ebd] of silver contained 3,000 shekels (Ex. 38:25, 26), and was equal to 94 3/7 lbs. avoirdupois. The Greek talent, however, as in the LXX., was only 82 1/4 lbs. It was in the form of a circular mass, as the Hebrew name kikkar de...
    [nave] TALENT, 1 Kin. 9:14, 28; 10:10, 14. A weight equal to three thousand shekels - about 75 to 125 pounds. Ex. 38:25, 26. In the New Testament, a talent weight is calculated at 58 to 80 lbs. The value would differ according t...

  • Embroidery

    [isbe] EMBROIDERY - em-broid'-er-i (riqrnah; the King James Version Needlework): Riqmah was applied to any kind of cloth which showed designs in variegated colors. The method of manufacture is unknown. The designs may have been wov...
    [nave] EMBROIDERY In blue and purple and scarlet on the curtains of the tabernacle, Ex. 26:1, 36; 27:16; on the girdle and coat of the high priest, mingled with gold, Ex. 28:4, 39. On the garments of Sisera, Judg. 5:30. On the ga...

  • 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.

  • Uri

    [isbe] URI - u'-ri, oo'-ri (uri (uwri in 1 Ki 4:19), "fiery," unless the word be contracted for 'uriyah, "Uriah"): (1) Son of Hur, and father of Bezalel (Ex 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Ch 2:20; 2 Ch 1:5). (2) Father of Geber, one of Solo...
    [smith] (fiery). The father of Bezaleel, one of the architects of the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Chronicles 2:20; 2 Chronicles 1:5) He was of the tribe of Judah, and grandson of Caleb ben-Hezron. (B.C. 1491.) Th...
    [nave] URI Ex. 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Kin. 4:19; 1 Chr. 2:20; 2 Chr. 1:5; Ezra 10:24

  • Ahisamach

    [isbe] AHISAMACH - a-his'-a-mak ('achicamakh, "my brother supports"): A man of the tribe of Dan, father of Oholiab, who was the assistant of Bezalel in the building of the tent of meeting and preparing its furniture (Ex 31:6; 35:34...
    [smith] (brother of help), a Danite, father of Aholiab one of the architects of the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:6; 35:34; 38:23) (B.C. 1490)
    [nave] AHISAMACH, father of Aholiab, Ex. 31:6; 35:34; 38:23.

  • Chapiter

    [ebd] the ornamental head or capital of a pillar. Three Hebrew words are so rendered. (1.) Cothereth (1 Kings 7:16; 2 Kings 25:17; 2 Chr. 4:12), meaning a "diadem" or "crown." (2.) Tzepheth (2 Chr. 3:15). (3.) Rosh (Ex. 36:38; 38:...

  • Ithamar

    [isbe] ITHAMAR - ith'-a-mar ('ithamar, "land" or "island of palms": Gesenius; or "father of Tamar," 'i, being perhaps for 'abhi: Cook in Encyclopedia Biblica--though both derivations are uncertain): The 4th son of Aaron (Ex 6:23; 2...
    [smith] (land of palms), the youngest son of Aaron. (Exodus 6:23) (B.C. 1491.) After the death of Nadab and Abihu, (Leviticus 10:1) Eleazar and Ithamar were appointed to succeed to their places in the priestly office. (Exodus 28:1,40...
    [nave] ITHAMAR Son of Aaron, Ex. 6:23; 28:1; 1 Chr. 6:3. Intrusted with moneys of the tabernacle, Ex. 38:21. Charged with duties of the tabernacle, Num. 4:28; 7:8. Forbidden to lament the death of his brothers, Nadab and Abihu, ...

  • Bronze

    [nave] BRONZE or more probably Copper. Smelted, Ezek. 22:20; Job 28:2. A mineral of Canaan, Deut. 8:9; Josh. 22:8; of Syria, 2 Sam. 8:8. Tyrians traded in, Ezek. 27:13. Abundance of, for the temple, 1 Kin. 7:47; 1 Chr. 22:14. A...

  • 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.
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Arts

Questions

  • The number of adults over twenty years of age who left Egypt is stated in Exodus 12:37, at about six hundred thousand. Allowing the normal proportion of children to such a host we may infer that the total number was probably ...

Sermon Illustrations

The Structure of the Tabernacle

Resources/Books

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 purposes of this section are three at least.1. These verses introduce the Israelites who are the focus of attention in Exodus.2. They also tie the Israelites back to Jacob and explain their presence in Egypt.3. They accou...
  • 12:37-39 The record of Israel's sojourn in the wilderness really begins here.Rameses is probably the same city as Raamses, also called Avaris (v. 37; cf. 1:11). It was the city from which the Israelites left Egypt, and it lay...
  • "Only voluntary gifts were acceptable as materials for the Lord's house (25:2; 35:3, 21-22, 29), since love rather than compulsion is the basis of all truly biblical giving (2 Cor. 9:7)."431Moses employed four different terms...
  • 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 ...
  • Moses also recorded an estimate of the amount of metal used (38:21-31). Coined money did not exist until the seventh century B.C. when the Lydians in Anatolia (modern Turkey) invented it. Consequently the shekel Moses referre...
  • 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 purpose of this tally of the adult males 20 years of age and older was to identify those who would serve in battle when Israel entered the land (v. 3).11Entrance into the land should have been only a few weeks from the ta...
  • 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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