Exodus 39 The Tabernacle Completed

1 The Priestly Garments
From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary. They also made sacred garments for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

2 The Ephod
They made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

3 They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.

4 They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened.

5 Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.

6 They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.

7 Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.

8 The Breastpiece
They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

9 It was square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double.

10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there was a ruby, a topaz and a beryl;

11 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald;

12 in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst;

13 in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings.

14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

15 For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.

16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece.

17 They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

18 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.

19 They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.

20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod.

21 They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.

22 Other Priestly Garments
They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver—

23 with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear.

24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe.

25 And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates.

26 The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.

27 For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen—the work of a weaver—

28 and the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands and the undergarments of finely twisted linen.

29 The sash was of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate, the sacred diadem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.

31 Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban, as the Lord commanded Moses.

32 Moses Inspects the Tabernacle
So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.

33 Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases;

34 the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of hides of sea cows and the shielding curtain;

35 the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the atonement cover;

36 the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;

37 the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its accessories, and the oil for the light;

38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

39 the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;

40 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting;

41 and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.

42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 39

Exodus Chapter 39 details the construction of the priestly garments as commanded by God. These garments were to be worn by Aaron and his sons, emphasizing the sacredness and distinctiveness of their calling. This chapter not only contains instructions for the physical creation of the garments but also symbolically represents religious purity, consecration, and the divine order established within the Israelite community.

The Priestly Garments: A Craftsmanship of Holiness

The chapter opens with a vivid description of how the Israelites created the priestly garments out of materials that had been mentioned earlier in Exodus. This process symbolizes obedience to God’s commands and the meticulous attention to detail required in worship. Here, the narrative draws a parallel between physical craftsmanship and spiritual devotion.

“And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:1)

The use of blue, purple, and scarlet—colors that are rich and historically associated with royalty and divinity—signifies the importance and sacredness of the ministry of the priests. These colors not only added visual splendor but also represented the heavenly realm, further reinforcing the idea that the priests were intermediaries between God and His people.

The Ephod: Symbol of Divine Selection

The ephod, one of the key priestly garments, is described in verses 2-7. It was made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen, aligning perfectly with the divine stipulations.

“They made the ephod of gold, blue and purple and scarlet fabric, and fine twisted linen.” (Exodus 39:2)

The ephod had two onyx stones mounted on the shoulders, each engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This act of engraving the names symbolizes God’s personal and intimate relationship with each tribe. It also signifies the collective responsibility and representation the priests bore on their shoulders, highlighting leadership and spiritual duty.

“And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:7)

The Breastplate: God’s Guidance and Judgement

The breastplate of judgment, described in verses 8-21, is another essential component of the priestly attire. Its craftsmanship showcases the blending of artistic skill and spiritual symbolism.

“And they wrought onyx stones enclosed in settings of gold filigree. They were engraved, as seal engravings are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 39:14)

The breastplate contained twelve stones, each representing a tribe of Israel. The breastplate’s arrangement and the specific instructions given for its attachment to the ephod signify a well-ordered divine system. It was believed that through the breastplate, God’s guidance and decisions would be communicated to His people.

The Urim and Thummim, although not elaborated upon in this chapter, are understood to have been borne within the breastplate, providing divine judgments when needed. Thus, the breastplate serves as a medium of divine wisdom and judicial authority.

The Robe: Sign of Majestic Service

The robe of the ephod, described in verses 22-26, was a seamless garment, woven entirely of blue. The hem of the robe featured pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, interspersed with golden bells.

“And they made upon the hem of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and of scarlet, and twined linen. And they made bells of pure gold and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates.” (Exodus 39:24-25)

The purpose of the bells, as detailed in earlier texts, was to announce the high priest’s approach when he entered and exited the holy place, thus ensuring that he would not die. This underscores the gravity of entering God’s presence and the need for utter reverence and purity.

Additional Garments: Holiness in Every Aspect

Verses 27-31 describe the remaining priestly garments: tunics of fine linen, a turban, caps, undergarments, and a sash. Each of these pieces was made as God commanded, signifying completeness in holiness. The high priest’s turban held a gold plate inscribed with “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”

“And they made the plate of the Holy Crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” (Exodus 39:30)

This inscription served as a constant reminder of the priest’s sacred duty and the call to maintain holiness while serving the Lord. Each garment piece is imbued with spiritual significance, collectively highlighting the comprehensive nature of God’s design for worship.

Completion and Inspection

The final verses (32-43) recount the completion of all work for the tabernacle and priestly garments. The Israelites followed God’s commands exactly, reflecting their commitment and devotion. Moses inspected the work, and seeing it was done as the Lord commanded, he blessed them.

“Thus all the work of the Tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so did they.” (Exodus 39:32)

The closing verse highlights God’s approval and blessing upon Israel’s meticulous obedience:

“And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.” (Exodus 39:43)

Conclusion: Embodying Obedience and Holiness

Exodus Chapter 39 is a rich narrative that encapsulates themes of obedience, holiness, and divine craftsmanship. The detailed descriptions emphasize that in approaching God, every act must weave together reverence, skill, and complete adherence to His instructions. The priestly garments, as they are described, project a vision of Israel’s community as a people set apart, dedicated wholly to the service of the Almighty.

This chapter’s portrayal of the priestly garments should inspire modern readers to consider the importance of approaching God with reverence and purity. Just as the ancient garments were created with precision and care, our spiritual lives require deliberate and faithful devotion to God’s commands, reminding us that our worship must be both outward and inward, reflecting the glory and holiness of the Lord.

Understanding the Key Messages in Exodus 39: Insights and Explanation

This chapter describes the construction of the tabernacle and all its furnishings according to the Lord's instructions. The Israelites brought all the materials needed and the skilled workers crafted everything. The tabernacle was set up, and Moses inspected and approved the work. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, signifying His presence and favor.

Notes

The completion of the tabernacle was a significant event for the Israelites, as it represented God's dwelling among them. It was meticulously constructed with great attention to detail, symbolizing the holiness and perfection of God's presence. The Lord's glory filling the tabernacle demonstrated His acceptance of their offerings and His desire to commune with His people. This chapter reminds us of the importance of obedience, skillful craftsmanship, and God's desire to dwell with His chosen people.