Exodus 38 The Making of the Tabernacle

1 The Altar of Burnt Offering
They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.

2 They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze.

3 They made all its utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans.

4 They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar.

5 They cast bronze rings to hold the poles for the four corners of the bronze grating.

6 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.

7 They inserted the poles into the rings so they would be on the sides of the altar for carrying it. They made it hollow, out of boards.

8 Basin for Washing
They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

9 The Courtyard
Next they made the courtyard. The south side was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely twisted linen,

10 with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

11 The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

12 The west end was fifty cubits wide and had curtains, with ten posts and ten bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

13 The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide.

14 Curtains fifteen cubits long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,

15 and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases.

16 All the curtains around the courtyard were of finely twisted linen.

17 The bases for the posts were bronze. The hooks and bands on the posts were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver; so all the posts of the courtyard had silver bands.

18 The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,

19 with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks and bands were silver, and their tops were overlaid with silver.

20 All the tent pegs of the tabernacle and of the surrounding courtyard were bronze.

21 The Materials Used
These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

22 (Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses;

23 with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan—a craftsman and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.)

24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

25 The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel—

26 one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men.

27 The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases for the sanctuary and for the curtain—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base.

28 They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands.

29 The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.

30 They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils,

31 the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 38

Exodus Chapter 38 is a critical chapter in understanding the building and the furnishing of the Tabernacle, which served as a mobile sanctuary for the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. In this chapter, we see the culmination of detailed craftsmanship and dedication, and it helps us appreciate the meticulousness and sacredness with which the Israelites approached the worship of God. Below is a detailed analysis of the key aspects and verses of this chapter.

The Altar of Burnt Offering (Verses 1-7)

The chapter begins with the construction of the altar of burnt offering:

“And he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.” (Exodus 38:1, KJV)

This altar was made of acacia wood, a durable and resilient wood native to the region. Its dimensions were designed to be symmetrical and sizeable enough to handle the sacrificial rituals central to the Israelites’ worship. The mention of acacia wood underscores the sustainability and longevity intended in creating this altar, which must endure the continuous and rigorous sacrificial practices.

The altar is then overlaid with bronze, which is significant because bronze can withstand intense heat and symbolizes judgment and purification. The use of bronze for the altar is not merely a practical consideration but represents the gravity and sanctity of the sacrifices made upon it.

The verses continue to describe the accessories made for the altar such as the shovels, basins, forks, and firepans, all made from bronze. The presence of all these implements highlights the thoroughness and readiness of the altar for its divine purpose. Each item played a specific role in the sacrificial rites, emphasizing the order and preparation required in worshipful acts.

The Laver of Bronze (Verse 8)

The next important article mentioned is the bronze basin or laver:

“And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the mirrors of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Exodus 38:8, KJV)

Unlike the altar, the laver was made from the contributions of mirrors provided by the women. This is particularly poignant for several reasons. First, mirrors, especially in ancient times, were valuable personal items. Their donation shows a deep sense of sacrifice and willing participation in the communal faith life.

Secondly, the mirrors used to create the laver, an object of purification, subtly emphasize self-reflection, repentance, and the spiritual cleansing necessary to approach God. The laver was essential for the priests to perform their ritual washings, symbolizing the need for purity and holiness in their service.

The Courtyard (Verses 9-20)

Verses 9 through 20 provide a description of the courtyard of the Tabernacle:

“And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits…” (Exodus 38:9, KJV)

The courtyard was a larger enclosure surrounding the Tabernacle, made with hangings of fine twined linen. The linen curtains, suspended on bronze pillars, created a clear boundary between the sacred space of the Tabernacle and the outside world.

The use of fine linen underscores the importance of purity and separation. Each side of the courtyard had specific dimensions and quantities of materials, which speaks to the ordered and structured environment conducive to worship. The courtyard allowed the Israelite community to participate in sacrificial rites, maintaining a respectful and organized distance from the inner sanctum of the Tabernacle itself.

The entrance to the courtyard on the east side was especially significant, lined with curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twined linen. The colors themselves are symbolic, representing divine royalty (purple), divine revelation (blue), and sacrifice (scarlet). These colors indicate the sacred threshold one crosses when entering the space dedicated to worship.

Inventory of Materials (Verses 21-31)

The closing section of Chapter 38 lists the inventory of materials used in the Tabernacle’s construction:

“This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses…” (Exodus 38:21, KJV)

This enumeration serves multiple purposes. Practically, it provides transparency and accountability in the use of resources donated by the people. Spiritually, it emphasizes the communal effort and the collective contribution of the Israelites towards creating a dwelling place for God among them.

Bezaleel, the chief craftsman appointed by God, and Aholiab, his assistant, along with their team of skilled artisans, were responsible for the detailed and precise work. Their talents and skills were divinely inspired and utilized for a holy purpose, showcasing how spiritual gifts should be employed for the greater glory of God.

The materials listed include gold, silver, and bronze, each gathered and measured meticulously:

“All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.” (Exodus 38:24, KJV)

The exact weights and measures underscore the value and significance of every contribution. This transparency affirms the integrity of the leaders overseeing the construction and fosters trust within the community. Further, the usage of specified units like talents and shekels shows the regulated and organized management of resources, reflecting a culture of stewardship and responsibility.

Spiritual and Theological Insights

The Importance of Obedience and Worship: The construction of the Tabernacle as described in Exodus Chapter 38 is a powerful testament to the Israelites’ obedience to God’s commandments. The detailed adherence to the divine instructions for building the altar, laver, courtyard, and other elements signifies a faithful commitment to worshiping God according to His directions. The precision in construction symbolizes an earnest devotion and respect for God’s holy presence among them.

The Communal and Divine Partnership: The contributions from the community – from the mirrors of the women to the gold, silver, and bronze offerings – illustrate a collective, communal effort to establish a space for divine worship. This partnership between God and His people in building the Tabernacle reminds us that worship is both a communal and a divine activity. It requires the participation and dedication of God’s people, as well as the guidance and blessing of God Himself.

Sacrifice and Purity: The altar of burnt offering and the bronze laver both underscore themes of sacrifice and purity. The altar, as a place of sacrifice, highlights the importance of atonement and repentance in the Israelites’ relationship with God. The laver, for ritual washing and purification, emphasizes the need for internal and external cleanliness before approaching the divine. These elements point to the profound spiritual principle that coming into God’s presence requires both sacrifice and purity.

The Role of Leadership and Skilled Craftsmanship: The leadership of Bezaleel and Aholiab, along with their skilled work on the Tabernacle, highlights the importance of godly leadership and the use of God-given talents for His glory. Their roles teach us about the value of skill, dedication, and divine inspiration in serving God’s purposes. This chapter honors those who utilize their abilities to enhance communal worship and build up the community in faith.

Transcendent Symbolism: The detailed description of the materials, colors, and dimensions of the Tabernacle and its components bear deep symbolic meanings. Blue, purple, and scarlet threads, fine linen, and precious metals all signify the transcendence and holiness of the space. The symmetry and order of the construction reflect the divine order and beauty, pointing to the ultimate sanctity and perfection found in God alone.

Conclusion

Exodus Chapter 38 offers a rich tapestry of details that highlight the Israelites’ commitment to constructing a sacred space for their worship. Through the combination of community contributions, skilled craftsmanship, and adherence to divine instructions, the Israelites demonstrate a profound reverence for and dedication to God. This chapter is not merely a historical account of construction but a deeper narrative about sacrifice, purity, communal effort, and divine partnership in worship. By understanding and reflecting on these key elements, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the spiritual and theological significance of the Tabernacle and its central role in the faith journey of the Israelites.

Understanding the Key Messages in Exodus 38: Insights and Explanation

Exodus 38 describes the construction of the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, the courtyard, the materials used, and the amount of each contributed by the Israelites. It highlights the extensive resources and attention to detail involved in building the tabernacle, reflecting the importance of worship and the presence of God among His people.

Notes

The chapter reveals the Israelites' willingness to offer their possessions for the service of God. It is a reminder of the value and effort required in worshiping and honoring God.