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Texts -- Exodus 39:1-43 (NET)

Context
The Making of the Priestly Garments
39:1 From the blue , purple , and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for serving in the sanctuary ; they made holy garments that were for Aaron , just as the Lord had commanded Moses .
The Ephod
39:2 He made the ephod of gold , blue , purple , scarlet , and fine twisted linen . 39:3 They hammered the gold into thin sheets and cut it into narrow strips to weave them into the blue , purple , and scarlet yarn , and into the fine linen , the work of an artistic designer . 39:4 They made shoulder pieces for it, attached to two of its corners , so it could be joined together. 39:5 The artistically woven waistband of the ephod that was on it was like it, of one piece with it, of gold , blue , purple , and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen , just as the Lord had commanded Moses . 39:6 They set the onyx stones in gold filigree settings , engraved as with the engravings of a seal with the names of the sons of Israel . 39:7 He put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as stones of memorial for the Israelites , just as the Lord had commanded Moses .
The Breastpiece of Decision
39:8 He made the breastpiece , the work of an artistic designer , in the same fashion as the ephod , of gold , blue , purple , and scarlet , and fine twisted linen . 39:9 It was square – they made the breastpiece doubled , nine inches long and nine inches wide when doubled . 39:10 They set on it four rows of stones : a row with a ruby , a topaz , and a beryl – the first row ; 39:11 and the second row , a turquoise , a sapphire , and an emerald ; 39:12 and the third row , a jacinth , an agate , and an amethyst ; 39:13 and the fourth row , a chrysolite , an onyx , and a jasper . They were enclosed in gold filigree settings . 39:14 The stones were for the names of the sons of Israel , twelve , corresponding to the number of their names . Each name corresponding to one of the twelve tribes was like the engravings of a seal . 39:15 They made for the breastpiece braided chains like cords of pure gold , 39:16 and they made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings , and they attached the two rings to the upper two ends of the breastpiece . 39:17 They attached the two gold chains to the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece ; 39:18 the other two ends of the two chains they attached to the two settings , and they attached them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front of it. 39:19 They made two rings of gold and put them on the other two ends of the breastpiece on its edge , which is on the inner side of the ephod . 39:20 They made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod , close to the juncture above the waistband of the ephod . 39:21 They tied the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod by blue cord , so that it was above the waistband of the ephod , so that the breastpiece would not be loose from the ephod , just as the Lord had commanded Moses .
The Other Garments
39:22 He made the robe of the ephod completely blue , the work of a weaver . 39:23 There was an opening in the center of the robe , like the opening of a collar , with an edge all around the opening so that it could not be torn . 39:24 They made pomegranates of blue , purple , and scarlet yarn and twisted linen around the hem of the robe . 39:25 They made bells of pure gold and attached the bells between the pomegranates around the hem of the robe between the pomegranates . 39:26 There was a bell and a pomegranate , a bell and a pomegranate , all around the hem of the robe , to be used in ministering , just as the Lord had commanded Moses . 39:27 They made tunics of fine linen – the work of a weaver , for Aaron and for his sons – 39:28 and the turban of fine linen , the headbands of fine linen , and the undergarments of fine twisted linen . 39:29 The sash was of fine twisted linen and blue , purple , and scarlet yarn , the work of an embroiderer , just as the Lord had commanded Moses . 39:30 They made a plate , the holy diadem , of pure gold and wrote on it an inscription , as on the engravings of a seal , “Holiness to the Lord .” 39:31 They attached to it a blue cord , to attach it to the turban above , just as the Lord had commanded Moses .
Moses Inspects the Sanctuary
39:32 So all the work of the tabernacle , the tent of meeting , was completed , and the Israelites did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses – they did it exactly so . 39:33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses , the tent and all its furnishings , clasps , frames , bars , posts , and bases ; 39:34 and the coverings of ram skins dyed red , the covering of fine leather , and the protecting curtain ; 39:35 the ark of the testimony and its poles , and the atonement lid ; 39:36 the table , all its utensils , and the Bread of the Presence ; 39:37 the pure lampstand , its lamps , with the lamps set in order , and all its accessories , and oil for the light ; 39:38 and the gold altar , and the anointing oil , and the fragrant incense ; and the curtain for the entrance to the tent ; 39:39 the bronze altar and its bronze grating , its poles , and all its utensils ; the large basin with its pedestal ; 39:40 the hangings of the courtyard , its posts and its bases , and the curtain for the gateway of the courtyard , its ropes and its tent pegs , and all the furnishings for the service of the tabernacle , for the tent of meeting ; 39:41 the woven garments for serving in the sanctuary , the holy garments for Aaron the priest , and the garments for his sons to minister as priests . 39:42 The Israelites did all the work according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses . 39:43 Moses inspected all the work – and they had done it just as the Lord had commanded – they had done it exactly – and Moses blessed them.

Pericope

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Bible Dictionary

  • Writing

    [ebd] The art of writing must have been known in the time of the early Pharaohs. Moses is commanded "to write for a memorial in a book" (Ex. 17:14) a record of the attack of Amalek. Frequent mention is afterwards made of writing (...

  • 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 ...
    [smith] The tabernacle was the tent of Jehovah, called by the same name as the tents of the people in the midst of which it stood. It was also called the sanctuary and the tabernacle of the congregation. The first ordinance given to ...
    [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; ...

  • Stones

    [nave] STONES Commandments engraved upon, Ex. 24:12; 31:18; 34:1-4; Deut. 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-11; 10:1-3. The law of Moses written upon, Josh. 8:32. Houses built of, Isa. 9:10; Amos 5:11. Temple built of, 1 Kin. 5:17, 18; 7:9-12; Ma...

  • Priest

    [smith] The English word is derived from the Greek presbyter , signifying an "elder" (Heb. cohen). Origin. --The idea of a priesthood connects itself in all its forms, pure or corrupted, with the consciousness, more or less distinct ...
    [nave] PRIEST. Before Moses Melchizedek, Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6, 10, 11; 6:20; 7:1-21. Jethro, Ex. 2:16. Priests in Israel before the giving of the law, Ex. 19:22, 24. Called angel, Eccl. 5:6. Mosaic Ex. 28:1-4; 29:9, 44; Num....

  • PRIEST, HIGH

    [isbe] PRIEST, HIGH - (ha-kohen, ho hiereus; ha-kohen ha-mashiach, ho hiereus ho christos; ha-kohen ha-gadhol, ho hiereus ho megas; kohen ha-ro'sh, ho hiereus hegoumenos; New Testament archiereus): I. INSTITUTION OF THE HIGH-PRIEST...

  • Miter

    [nave] MITER, Ex. 28:4, 36-39; 39:28-31; Ezek. 21:26.

  • MITRE

    [smith] (something rolled around the head), the turban or headdress of the high priest, made of fine linen cloth, eight yards long, folded around the head. On the front was a gold plate on which was inscribed Holiness to the Lord . (...

  • 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...

  • High priest

    [ebd] Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to this office (Ex. 29:7; 30:23; Lev. 8:12). He wore a peculiar dress, which on his death passed to his successor in office (Ex. 29:29, 30). Besides those garments which he wore...

  • Gold

    [nave] GOLD Exported from Havilah, Gen. 2:11, 12. From Ophir, 1 Kin. 9:28; 10:11; 1 Chr. 29:4; 2 Chr. 8:18; Job 22:24; Tarshish, 1 Kin. 22:48; Parvaim, 2 Chr. 3:6; Sheba, 1 Kin. 10:10; 2 Chr. 9:9; Psa. 72:15; Uphaz, Jer. 10:9. Re...

  • Girdle

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. hagor, a girdle of any kind worn by soldiers (1 Sam. 18:4; 2 Sam. 20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; 2 Kings 3:21) or women (Isa. 3:24). (2.) Heb. 'ezor, something "bound," worn by prophets (2 Kings 1:8; Jer. 13:1), soldiers (Isa....

  • Ephod

    [nave] EPHOD 1. A sacred vestment worn by the high priest. Described, Ex. 28:6-14, 31-35; 25:7. Making of, Ex. 39:2-26. Breastplate attached to, Ex. 28:22-29. Worn by Aaron, Ex. 39:5. Used as an oracle, 1 Sam. 23:9, 12; 30:7, 8...

  • Engraving

    [nave] ENGRAVING In making idols, Ex. 32:4. On the stones set in the priest's breastplate, Ex. 28:9-11, 21, 36; 39:8-14; in the priest's girdle, Ex. 39:6; in the priest's crown, Ex. 39:30.

  • EMERALD

    [ebd] Heb. nophek (Ex. 28:18; 39:11); i.e., the "glowing stone", probably the carbuncle, a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest. It is mentioned (Rev. 21:19) as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The name...
    [smith] a precious stone of a rich green color, upon which its value chiefly depends. This gem was the first in the second row on the breastplate of the high priest. (Exodus 28:18; 39:11) It was imported to Tyre from Syria, (Ezekiel ...

  • Colour

    [ebd] The subject of colours holds an important place in the Scriptures. White occurs as the translation of various Hebrew words. It is applied to milk (Gen. 49:12), manna (Ex. 16:31), snow (Isa. 1:18), horses (Zech. 1:8), raiment...

  • Colors

    [nave] COLORS Symbolical uses of. Black A Symbol of Affliction and Calamity. Job 3:5; Job 10:20-22; Job 30:26; Psa. 107:10, 11; Psa. 143:3; Isa. 5:30; Isa. 8:22; Isa. 9:19; Isa. 24:11; Isa. 50:3; Joel 2:6, 10; Joel 3:14, 15; Amos...

  • Collar

    [ebd] (Heb. peh), means in Job 30:18 the mouth or opening of the garment that closes round the neck in the same way as a tunic (Ex. 39:23). The "collars" (Heb. netiphoth) among the spoils of the Midianites (Judg. 8:26; R.V., "pend...

  • Chalcedony

    [ebd] Mentioned only in Rev. 21:19, as one of the precious stones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The name of this stone is derived from Chalcedon, where it is said to have been first discovered. In modern mineralogy this ...

  • Chain

    [ebd] (1.) A part of the insignia of office. A chain of gold was placed about Joseph's neck (Gen. 41:42); and one was promised to Daniel (5:7). It is used as a symbol of sovereignty (Ezek. 16:11). The breast-plate of the high-prie...

  • Bonnet

    [ebd] (Heb. peer), Ex. 39:28 (R.V., "head-tires"); Ezek. 44:18 (R.V., "tires"), denotes properly a turban worn by priests, and in Isa. 3:20 (R.V., "head-tires") a head-dress or tiara worn by females. The Hebrew word so rendered li...

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The Structure of the Tabernacle

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • 6:9-12 "The same explanation for Enoch's rescue from death (he walked with God') is made the basis for Noah's rescue from death in the Flood: he walked with God' (6:9). Thus in the story of Noah and the Flood, the author is a...
  • 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...
  • "As a sign of the Noahic covenant is the rainbow (Gen. 9:13), and as the sign of the Abrahamic covenant is circumcision (Gen. 17:11), the sign of the Mosaic covenant is the observance and celebration of the Sabbath day (Exod....
  • Moses described the preparation of the priests' clothes at length as is appropriate in view of their importance.The ephod 39:2-7 (cf. 28:6-12)The breastplate 39:8-21 (cf. 28:15-29)The robe 39:22-26 (cf. 28:31-34)The other acc...
  • The builders and craftsmen then presented the finished tabernacle items to Moses. The fact that he listed them again in the text reflects their importance. The statement that they did their work just as God had commanded Mose...
  • 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 high priest had to make elaborate preparations for entering the holy of holies by cleansing himself spiritually and physically. The offerings he made were a bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering, both to co...
  • 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...
  • 3:1 Zechariah's guiding angel next showed the prophet, in his vision, Joshua (lit. Yahweh saves), Israel's current high priest (6:11; Ezra 5:2; Neh. 7:7; Hag. 1:1), standing before the angel of the Lord (1:11-12). "The accuse...
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