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Texts -- Exodus 39:1-38 (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 ;

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 ...
    [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; ...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Breastplate

    [ebd] (1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See ARMOUR.) (2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It ...
    [nave] BREASTPLATE 1. For high priest, Ex. 25:7. Directions for the making of, Ex. 28:15-30. Made by Bezaleel, Ex. 39:8, 21. Freewill offering of materials for, Ex. 35:9, 27. Worn by Aaron, Ex. 29:5; Lev. 8:8. 2. Armor for sol...

  • 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.

  • 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...

  • Seal

    [isbe] SEAL - sel (substantive chotham, "seal," "signet," Tabba`ath, "signet-ring"; Aramaic `izqa'; sphragis; verb chatham, (Aramaic chatham); (sphragizo), (katasphragizomai, "to seal"): I. Literal Sense. A seal is an instrument of...
    [smith] The importance attached to seals in the East is so great that without one no document is regarded as authentic. Among the methods of sealing used in Egypt at a very early period were engraved stones, graved stones, pierced th...
    [nave] SEAL 1. A stamp used for signifying documents. Given as a pledge, Gen. 38:18. Engraved, Ex. 28:11, 21, 36; 39:6, 14, 30; 2 Tim. 2:19. Decrees signified by, 1 Kin. 21:8; Esth. 8:8. Documents sealed with: Ahab's letter, 1 K...

  • 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...

  • TEN COMMANDMENTS, THE

    [isbe] TEN COMMANDMENTS, THE - I. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AN ISRAELITISH CODE II. THE PROMULGATON OF THE DECALOGUE III. ANALYSIS OF THE DECALOGUE WITH BRIEF EXEGETICAL NOTES 1. How Numbered 2. How Grouped 3. Original Form 4. Brief Ex...

  • STONES, PRECIOUS

    [isbe] STONES, PRECIOUS - || 1. Ancient and Modern Names 2. Change of Signification of Names 3. Three Important Lists of Stones 4. Interpretation of Greek Names Used by John 5. Interpretation of Hebrew Names 6. Greek and Latin Equi...

  • OUCHES

    [isbe] OUCHES - ouch'-ez, -iz (mishbetsoth (Ex 28:11,13,14,25; 39:6,13,16,18) the American Standard Revised Version "settings," but in Ex 39:13, "inclosings"): The secondary meaning of this now archaic word is the gold or silver se...

  • Ligure

    [ebd] (Heb. leshem) occurs only in Ex. 28:19 and 39:12, as the name of a stone in the third row on the high priest's breastplate. Some have supposed that this stone was the same as the jacinth (q.v.), others that it was the opal. ...
    [isbe] LIGURE - lig'-ur (Ex 28:19; 39:12 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "jacinth"). See STONES, PRECIOUS.
    [smith] (Heb. leshem), a precious stone mentioned in (Exodus 28:19; 39:12) as the first in the third row of the high priest?s breastplate. It is impossible to say, with any certainty, what stone is denoted by the Hebrew term; but per...
    [nave] LIGURE, a precious stone, Ex. 28:19; 39:12.

  • RING

    [isbe] RING - (Anglo-Saxon, Hring, "ring"): The word renders (the American Standard Revised Version) two Hebrew words (in the King James Version and the English Revised Version three) and two Greek words. Tabba`ath, the principal H...

  • IMAGES

    [isbe] IMAGES - im'-aj-iz (tselem; eikon): 1. Definition 2. Origin 3. Historical Beginnings and Early Developments 4. Bible References and Palestinian Customs 5. Most Important Technical Terms (1) Matstsebhah ("pillar") (2) 'Ashera...

  • SHOULDER-PIECE

    [isbe] SHOULDER-PIECE - shol'-der-pes (katheph): The word designates the two straps or pieces of cloth which passed from the back of the ephod (see EPHOD) of the high priest over the shoulder and were fastened at the front. These s...

  • Miter

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

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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...
  • 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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