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The Commission to Build the Dwelling[a]

25 The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, “Speak to the people of Israel[b] so that they gather a special offering[c] for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall gather the offering for me.”

The Offering for the Dwelling

This is the offering which you are to gather from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet material, fine linen; goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and hides of sea cows;[d] acacia wood, olive oil for the Light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones to be mounted on the special vest[e] and on the pouch. They are to make a sanctuary for me, so that I may dwell among them. You are to make it exactly according to the design for the Dwelling and the designs for all of its furniture which I will show you.

The Ark of the Covenant

10 They shall make an ark[f] of acacia wood. It is to be forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.[g] 11 Overlay it with pure gold. Overlay it on the inside and the outside, and make a gold border around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and place them next to its four feet. Two rings are for one side of it, and two rings for the other side. 13 Make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Put the poles which are used to carry the ark into the rings on the sides of the ark. 15 The poles are to be placed into the rings on the ark. They are not to be removed from the rings.

16 Put the Testimony, which I am about to give to you, into the ark. 17 Make an atonement seat[h] of pure gold, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide. 18 Make two cherubim[i] of hammered gold. You are to make them for the two ends of the atonement seat. 19 Make one cherub for one end and one cherub for the other end. The cherubim on its two ends are to form one piece with the atonement seat.[j] 20 The cherubim will spread their wings upward so that they cover the atonement seat with their wings, and they will face each other. The faces of the cherubim are to be looking inward toward the atonement seat. 21 Put the atonement seat on top of the ark, and put the Testimony, which I will give to you, into the ark. 22 There I will meet with you, and from above the atonement seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the Ark of the Testimony, I will communicate to you all the commands that I will give to you for the people of Israel.

The Table

23 You shall make a table of acacia wood, thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high. 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold border around it.[k] 25 Make a three-inch rim around it. Make a gold border for its rim all the way around it. 26 Make four gold rings for it and fasten the rings to the four corners, above the four legs of the table. 27 The rings shall be close to the border to hold the poles used to carry the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table can be carried with them. 29 You are to make its dishes,[l] its small bowls,[m] its pitchers, and its larger bowls to pour out offerings.[n] Make them of pure gold. 30 You are to set the Bread of the Presence[o] on the table so that it is in front of me at all times.

The Lampstand

31 You shall make a lampstand[p] of pure gold. The lampstand is to be made of hammered metal. Its pedestal, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers are all to be formed as one piece with the lampstand. 32 There are to be six branches going out from its two sides: Three branches of the lampstand are to go out from one side, and three branches of the lampstand are to go out from the other side. 33 There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and flowers on the first branch, and three cups like almond blossoms with buds and flowers on the branch opposite it. All six branches going out from the lampstand are to be the same. 34 On the lampstand itself make four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and flowers. 35 The bud under one pair of branches is to form one piece with the lampstand, and the bud under the second pair of branches is to form one piece with the lampstand, and the bud under the third pair of branches is to form one piece with the lampstand—the same for all six branches going out of the lampstand. 36 Its buds and branches are to be made as one piece with it. All of it will be one hammered piece of pure gold.

37 You shall make seven lamps for it, and these lamps shall be lit to give light to the area in front of the lampstand. 38 Its wick trimmers and its pans[q] are to be made of pure gold. 39 It is to be made of seventy-five pounds[r] of pure gold with all these accessories. 40 See to it that you make them according to their design, which is being shown to you on the mountain.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 25:1 This sanctuary was traditionally called the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word Mishkan, however, means dwelling. The name Dwelling more clearly reflects the significance of this tent as the dwelling place of God with his people.
  2. Exodus 25:2 Literally the sons of Israel, or traditionally the children of Israel. The translation uses sons of Israel when the reference is to the twelve sons of Jacob. It uses people of Israel or Israelites when the reference is to successive generations of the whole nation.
  3. Exodus 25:2 Literally elevated offering. Here the manner of presentation does not seem to be the issue.
  4. Exodus 25:5 The meaning of tichashim is uncertain. Sea cows are similar to the manatees of Florida. The local name of the Red Sea variety is dugong. Alternate translations of tichashim are dolphin skin, badger skin, goat skin, and fine leather.
  5. Exodus 25:7 Hebrew ephod. Some think it was more like an apron than like a vest.
  6. Exodus 25:10 An aron is a box or chest or even a coffin. The translation retains the traditional rendering ark. It is not the same Hebrew word that refers to Noah’s ark, which also was a box.
  7. Exodus 25:10 Measurements are based on a cubit of 18 inches.
  8. Exodus 25:17 The Hebrew word kapporet refers to an object that pertains to atonement. It can be translated atonement cover or place of atonement. The traditional rendering mercy seat is based on the translation of Luther, Gnadenstuhl, throne of grace. Luther recognized that the chief function of the kapporet was not to cover the ark, but to serve as the footstool of the Lord. The atoning blood was being presented at the foot of God’s throne.
  9. Exodus 25:18 For a description of cherubim, the angels who are God’s attendants, see Ezekiel 1.
  10. Exodus 25:19 That is, the angels were to be permanently fastened to the lid.
  11. Exodus 25:24 The meaning of the Hebrew terms misgeret and zer are uncertain. They may be decorative trim or they may be frames to give support and stability to the table. The rabbinic writers do not agree whether they refer to a rim above the table or to a skirt below the tabletop.
  12. Exodus 25:29 Etymology suggests that the Hebrew word qe’ara refers to a deep dish or bowl, but some think it means platter.
  13. Exodus 25:29 The Hebrew word kaf refers to the palm of the hand, so it refers to a small bowl, spoon, or ladle.
  14. Exodus 25:29 The precise identification of the four types of vessels or utensils is uncertain. Jars and jugs are among the possibilities. Some rabbinic writers believed that the vessels include molds for the loaves of bread and stands to separate the loaves. Discussions in the rabbinic writings show that there was no consensus on the meaning of many terms in this section of Exodus.
  15. Exodus 25:30 Literally bread of the face. Traditionally translated show bread, following the suggestion of Luther.
  16. Exodus 25:31 Hebrew menorah
  17. Exodus 25:38 The meaning of these two items is uncertain. Tongs and snuffers are among the other possibilities.
  18. Exodus 25:39 Literally one talent. A talent is also a monetary unit. Estimates of the size of a talent vary widely.

Offerings for the Tabernacle(A)

25 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts(B) them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn(C) and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[a];(D) acacia wood;(E) olive oil(F) for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;(G) and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod(H) and breastpiece.(I)

“Then have them make a sanctuary(J) for me, and I will dwell(K) among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern(L) I will show you.

The Ark(M)

10 “Have them make an ark[b](N) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[c] 11 Overlay(O) it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings(P) on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(Q) 14 Insert the poles(R) into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.(S) 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law,(T) which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover(U) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim(V) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim(W) are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing(X) the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark(Y) and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law(Z) that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim(AA) that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet(AB) with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.(AC)

The Table(AD)

23 “Make a table(AE) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.[d] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 Also make around it a rim a handbreadth[e] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold(AF) and carry the table with them. 29 And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings.(AG) 30 Put the bread of the Presence(AH) on this table to be before me at all times.

The Lampstand(AI)

31 “Make a lampstand(AJ) of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 35 One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 36 The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.(AK)

37 “Then make its seven lamps(AL) and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays(AM) are to be of pure gold. 39 A talent[f] of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern(AN) shown you on the mountain.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 25:5 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
  2. Exodus 25:10 That is, a chest
  3. Exodus 25:10 That is, about 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide and high or about 1.1 meters long and 68 centimeters wide and high; similarly in verse 17
  4. Exodus 25:23 That is, about 3 feet long, 1 1/2 feet wide and 2 1/4 feet high or about 90 centimeters long, 45 centimeters wide and 68 centimeters high
  5. Exodus 25:25 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  6. Exodus 25:39 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms

25 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,

And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,

Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

10 And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.

14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.

15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.

20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.

25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.

27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.

28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.

30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:

33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

34 And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.

35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.

36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.

37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.

40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.