Exodus 37

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it.

He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side.

He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width.

He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat:

one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends.

The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half.

He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.

He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it.

He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet.

The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table.

He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.

He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it.

There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side:

three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand.

In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers;

and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and 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 going out of it.

Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold.

He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold.

He made it of a talent of pure gold, with all its vessels.

He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it.

He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it.

He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it.

He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records the construction of the most sacred furnishings for the tabernacle—specifically the ark of the covenant, the table for the bread of the Presence, the golden lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the anointing oil and incense—according to the divine pattern revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It emphasizes precise obedience in craftsmanship, highlighting how Bezalel and his team carried out every detail as commanded, using the finest materials and sanctified skill.

Flow.

Begins with the making of the ark of the covenant: its acacia wood frame overlaid with gold, its gold molding, rings for poles, and the mercy seat flanked by two cherubim of beaten gold.
Moves to the construction of the table for the bread of the Presence, including its gold overlay, border, rings for carrying, and the gold vessels used upon it.
Continues with the lamp stand, meticulously crafted from a single talent of pure gold, with six branches adorned like almond blossoms and seven lamps.
Concludes with the altar of incense, similarly overlaid in gold and equipped with gold rings and poles, followed by the preparation of the holy anointing oil and fragrant incense.

Connections.
Following chapter 36, which described the weaving and assembly of the tabernacle’s curtains, frames, and coverings, this chapter picks up the narrative of construction by detailing the creation of the inner furnishings that will occupy the holy and most holy places. These artisan works fulfill the instructions given in Exodus 25–30, grounding the abstract blueprints in tangible reality. The careful repetition of phrases like “as the Lord commanded Moses” underscores continuity with prior revelation and prepares the way for chapter 38, which will describe the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard, moving outward from the tabernacle’s sanctified center to its outer edges.

What it teaches.
The meticulous making of the tabernacle furnishings reflects the holiness, order, and divine presence at the heart of Israel’s worship. The ark, with its mercy seat and cherubim, signifies God’s throne above the earth and the place where atonement is made (WCF 7.3; HC LD 16). The lamp stand, table, and altar of incense display the ongoing priestly service that sustains communion between God and His people (Num. 8:1–4; Lev. 24:1–4; 16:12–13). The use of pure gold and skilled craftsmanship under divine inspiration points to the dignity of worship offered according to God’s prescribed way (WCF 21.1; BC Art. 21). The anointing oil and incense, made according to sacred recipe, mark the distinction between the holy and the common (Ex. 30:22–38; WCF 14.2).

Apply.
The careful construction of the tabernacle’s furnishings calls attention to the honor due to God’s presence and the importance of obedience in every detail of worship.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.