Exodus 38

Exodus 38 continues the description of the construction of the Tabernacle, focusing on the making of the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the courtyard. This chapter highlights the craftsmanship of Bezalel and his team, demonstrating obedience to God’s detailed instructions. It also includes a summary of the materials used in the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of generosity and skill in God’s service.

Exodus 38:1-3 (NKJV)
1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width—it was square—and its height was three cubits.
2 He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze.
3 He made all the utensils for the altar: the pans, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils he made of bronze.

The altar of burnt offering was designed according to God’s specifications, emphasizing the importance of the sacrificial system for atonement. Its square shape and horns on the corners symbolized completeness and strength. The use of bronze, a durable material, represents endurance and purification, as bronze was often associated with judgment. The utensils, also made of bronze, were crucial for maintaining the sacrifices, reflecting the thoroughness and order required in worship.

Exodus 38:4-5 (NKJV)
4 And he made a grate of bronze network for the altar, under its rim, midway from the bottom.
5 He cast four rings for the four corners of the bronze grating, as holders for the poles.

The bronze grate served a functional purpose in the sacrificial process, allowing the ashes from the burnt offerings to fall through. The rings and poles were essential for transporting the altar, highlighting the mobility of the Tabernacle as Israel journeyed through the wilderness. This portability symbolized God’s presence moving with His people, and it demonstrated that worship was to be central wherever they traveled.

Exodus 38:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze.
7 Then he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to bear it. He made the altar hollow with boards.

The acacia wood poles, overlaid with bronze, reinforced the altar's durability. The hollow construction of the altar likely made it easier to transport, yet still strong enough to fulfill its purpose. The use of acacia wood, a hardy material resistant to decay, and the bronze overlay symbolize the lasting nature of God’s covenant and the purification of sin through sacrifice.

Exodus 38:8 (NKJV)
8 He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

The bronze basin (laver) was used for ceremonial washing, symbolizing the need for purity before approaching God. Its creation from the mirrors of the serving women reflects the idea of self-reflection and cleansing. This act of donating their mirrors for the laver shows the women’s willingness to sacrifice something personal for the sake of communal worship. This also highlights the role of women in contributing to the spiritual life of the nation.

Exodus 38:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Then he made the court on the south side; the hangings of the court were of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long.
10 There were twenty pillars for them, with twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.
11 On the north side the hangings were one hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and their twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.

The courtyard was enclosed with fine woven linen, indicating the sacredness of the space. The use of bronze for the sockets and silver for the hooks and bands illustrates a mixture of beauty, purity, and strength. The dimensions of the court were significant, providing a large, yet specific space for the Israelites to gather in worship and offerings. The symmetry and precise measurements symbolize order in the worship of God.

Exodus 38:12-13 (NKJV)
12 And on the west side there were hangings of fifty cubits, with ten pillars and their ten sockets.
13 On the east side the hangings were fifty cubits.

The dimensions of the Tabernacle courtyard continue to be detailed, showing consistency in design. The repetition of measurements demonstrates the careful attention to detail and precision that God required. The east side’s length, equal to the west side, is significant as the entrance to the Tabernacle faced east, symbolizing new beginnings and God’s accessibility.

Exodus 38:14-15 (NKJV)
14 The hangings of one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets,
15 and the same for the other side of the court gate; on this side and that were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets.

The gate of the courtyard was divided symmetrically, with hangings on each side. The pillars and sockets supported the structure, ensuring stability. The division of the gate’s length into smaller segments reflects the accessibility and openness of the Tabernacle to the Israelites while maintaining a boundary that signified the sanctity of God’s dwelling place. It also symbolizes the balanced approach needed when coming before God.

Exodus 38:16-17 (NKJV)
16 All the hangings of the court all around were of fine woven linen.
17 The sockets for the pillars were bronze, the hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver, and the overlay of their capitals was silver; and all the pillars of the court had bands of silver.

The fine woven linen for the hangings represents purity, fitting for the outer boundary of the sacred space. The combination of bronze and silver for the sockets, hooks, and bands highlights a blend of strength and beauty in the structure. The silver overlay of the capitals, or tops of the pillars, added a sense of grandeur and refinement to the Tabernacle, showing that God’s dwelling was to be both strong and beautiful.

Exodus 38:18 (NKJV)
18 The screen for the gate of the court was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. The length was twenty cubits, and the height along its width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court.

The gate screen was made with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, colors associated with royalty, divinity, and sacrifice. These colors, combined with fine linen, represented the majesty of God and the need for holiness in approaching Him. The size of the screen matches the other hangings, ensuring a balanced and orderly design that reflects the unity and purposefulness of God’s instructions for the Tabernacle.

Exodus 38:19-20 (NKJV)
19 And there were four pillars with their four sockets of bronze; their hooks were silver, and the overlay of their capitals and their bands was silver.
20 All the pegs of the tabernacle, and of the court all around, were bronze.

The four pillars of bronze provided a sturdy foundation for the gate. The silver hooks, bands, and overlays added an element of beauty and refinement. The use of bronze for the pegs around the Tabernacle indicates durability, as these pegs helped anchor the structure securely. This attention to detail underscores the importance of both strength and beauty in the construction of God’s dwelling place.

Exodus 38:21 (NKJV)
21 This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

The chapter transitions to the inventory of materials used in the Tabernacle. The mention of Ithamar, Aaron’s son, shows the involvement of the priestly family in overseeing the work. This ensures accountability and order, as the Levites were responsible for the service and maintenance of the Tabernacle. The "tabernacle of testimony" refers to the structure that housed the tablets of the covenant, central to Israel’s identity and relationship with God.

Exodus 38:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord had commanded Moses.
23 And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.

Bezalel, from the tribe of Judah, and Aholiab, from the tribe of Dan, are credited with fulfilling God’s instructions for the Tabernacle. Their skills in craftsmanship, engraving, and design demonstrate the importance of artistry in worship. This passage highlights the unity of talent and obedience in carrying out God’s commands. The combination of tribes shows that God calls people from diverse backgrounds to serve Him.

Exodus 38:24-25 (NKJV)
24 All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
25 And the silver from those who were numbered of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

The amount of gold and silver used reflects the generosity of the Israelites in supporting the construction of the Tabernacle. The gold was used primarily in the inner sanctuary, symbolizing God’s holiness and majesty. The silver was collected from the congregation, showing a collective responsibility and investment in the worship of God. These materials were measured by the shekel of the sanctuary, indicating the standard set for sacred purposes.

Exodus 38:26-28 (NKJV)
26 A bekah for each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.
27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents, one talent for each socket.
28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made bands for them.

Each man twenty years and older contributed half a shekel, signifying their participation in the building of the Tabernacle. The silver collected was used for essential elements like the sockets and bases, ensuring the foundation of the sanctuary was solid. The hooks and bands for the pillars added to the design’s integrity and beauty, showing how each contribution played a part in supporting the house of worship.

Exodus 38:29-31 (NKJV)
29 The offering of bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels.
30 And with it he made the sockets for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, and all the utensils for the altar,
31 the sockets for the court all around, the bases for the court gate, all the pegs for the tabernacle, and all the pegs for the court all around.

The bronze offering provided the materials for essential structural and functional items in the Tabernacle, including the altar and its utensils. This shows the importance of bronze in representing strength, endurance, and purification in the context of worship. The sockets and pegs, used for stability, ensured that the Tabernacle was firmly established, symbolizing the strength of God’s presence and the foundation of His covenant with Israel.