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The Making of the Ark

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; its length was 45 inches, its width 27 inches, and its height 27 inches. He overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out, and he made a surrounding border[a] of gold for it. He cast four gold rings for it that he put[b] on its four feet, with[c] two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. He made poles of acacia wood, overlaid them with gold, and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark.

He made[d] an atonement lid of pure gold; its length was 45 inches, and its width was 27 inches. He made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered metal on the two ends of the atonement lid, one cherub on one end[e] and one cherub on the other end.[f] He made the cherubim from the atonement lid on its two ends. The cherubim were spreading their wings[g] upward, overshadowing the atonement lid with their wings. The cherubim[h] faced each other,[i] looking toward the atonement lid.[j]

The Making of the Table

10 Bezalel[k] made the table of acacia wood; its length was 36 inches, its width 18 inches, and its height 27 inches. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and he made a surrounding border of gold for it. 12 He made a surrounding frame for it about three inches wide, and he made a surrounding border of gold for its frame. 13 He cast four gold rings for it and attached the rings at the four corners where its four legs were. 14 The rings were close to the frame to provide places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table out of pure gold, its[l] plates, its ladles, its pitchers, and its bowls, to be used in pouring out offerings.

The Making of the Lampstand

17 Bezalel[m] made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered metal; its base and its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its blossoms were from the same piece.[n] 18 Six branches were extending from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from one side of it, and three branches of the lampstand from the other side of it. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the next[o] branch, and the same[p] for the six branches that were extending from the lampstand. 20 On the lampstand there were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms, 21 with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the third two branches from it; according to the six branches that extended from it.[q] 22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece;[r] all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold. 23 He made its seven lamps, its trimmers, and its trays of pure gold. 24 He made the lampstand[s] and all its accessories with seventy-five pounds of pure gold.

The Making of the Altar of Incense

25 Bezalel[t] made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was 18 inches and its width 18 inches—a square—and its height was 36 inches. Its horns were of one piece with it.[u] 26 He overlaid it with pure gold—its top,[v] its four walls,[w] and its horns—and he made a surrounding border of gold for it.[x] 27 He also made[y] two gold rings for it under its border, on its two sides, on opposite sides,[z] as places[aa] for poles to carry it with. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 He made the sacred anointing oil and the pure fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 37:2 tn Or “molding.”
  2. Exodus 37:3 tn “that he put” has been supplied.
  3. Exodus 37:3 tn This is taken as a circumstantial clause; the clause begins with the conjunction vav.
  4. Exodus 37:6 tn Heb “and he made.”
  5. Exodus 37:8 tn Heb “from/at [the] end, from this.”
  6. Exodus 37:8 tn The repetition of the expression indicates it has the distributive sense.
  7. Exodus 37:9 tn The construction is a participle in construct followed by the genitive “wings”—“spreaders of wings.”
  8. Exodus 37:9 tn The subject, “the cherubim,” has been added again in the translation for smoothness.
  9. Exodus 37:9 tn Heb “and their faces a man to his brother.”
  10. Exodus 37:9 tn Heb “to the atonement lid were the faces of the cherubim.”
  11. Exodus 37:10 tn Heb “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  12. Exodus 37:16 tn The suffixes on these could also indicate the indirect object (see Exod 25:29).
  13. Exodus 37:17 tn Heb “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  14. Exodus 37:17 tn Heb “from it”; the referent (“the same piece” of wrought metal) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  15. Exodus 37:19 tn Heb “the one branch.” But the repetition of “one…one” means here one after another, or the “first” and then the “next.”
  16. Exodus 37:19 tn Heb “thus for six branches….”
  17. Exodus 37:21 tn As in Exod 26:35, the translation of “first” and “next” and “third” is interpretive, because the text simply says “under two branches” in each of three places.
  18. Exodus 37:22 tn Heb “were from it.”
  19. Exodus 37:24 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the lampstand) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  20. Exodus 37:25 tn Heb “he”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  21. Exodus 37:25 tn Heb “from it were its horns,” meaning that they were made from the same piece.
  22. Exodus 37:26 tn Heb “roof.”
  23. Exodus 37:26 tn Heb “its walls around.”
  24. Exodus 37:26 tn Heb “and he made for it border gold around.”
  25. Exodus 37:27 tn Heb “and he made.”
  26. Exodus 37:27 sn Since it was a small altar, it needed only two rings, one on either side, in order to be carried. The second mention of their location clarifies that they should be on the sides, the right and the left, as one approached the altar.
  27. Exodus 37:27 tn Heb “for houses.”

Making the Ark of the Testimony(A)

37 Then (B)Bezalel made (C)the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it. And he cast for it four rings of gold to be set in its four corners: two rings on one side, and two rings on the other side of it. He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. He also made the (D)mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width. He made two cherubim of beaten gold; he made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat: one cherub at one end on this side, and the other cherub at the other end on that side. He made the cherubim at the two ends of one piece with the mercy seat. The cherubim spread out their wings above, and covered the (E)mercy seat with their wings. They faced one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

Making the Table for the Showbread(F)

10 He made (G)the table of acacia wood; two cubits was its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made a molding of gold all around it. 12 Also he made a frame of a handbreadth all around it, and made a molding of gold for the frame all around it. 13 And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that were at its four legs. 14 The rings were close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. 15 And he made the poles of acacia wood to bear the table, and overlaid them with gold. 16 He made of pure gold the utensils which were on the table: its (H)dishes, its cups, its bowls, and its pitchers for pouring.

Making the Gold Lampstand(I)

17 He also made the (J)lampstand of pure gold; of hammered work he made the lampstand. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and its flowers were of the same piece. 18 And six branches came out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. 19 There were three bowls made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand itself were four bowls made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. 21 There was a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches extending from it. 22 Their knobs and their branches were of one piece; all of it was one hammered piece of pure gold. 23 And he made its seven lamps, its (K)wick-trimmers, and its trays of pure gold. 24 Of a talent of pure gold he made it, with all its utensils.

Making the Altar of Incense(L)

25 (M)He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit—it was square—and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it. 27 He made two rings of gold for it under its molding, by its two corners on both sides, as holders for the poles with which to bear it. 28 And he (N)made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

Making the Anointing Oil and the Incense(O)

29 He also made (P)the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the perfumer.

The Ark(A)

37 Bezalel made the ark out of acacia wood 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. He covered it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on each side. Then he made poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold. He put them through the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it.

He made the throne of mercy out of pure gold 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. Then he made two angels[a] out of hammered gold for the two ends of the throne of mercy, one on each end. He formed the angels and the throne of mercy out of one piece of gold. The angels had their wings spread above the throne of mercy, overshadowing it. They faced each other, looking at the throne of mercy.

The Table(B)

10 He made the table out of acacia wood 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold molding around it. 12 He made a rim 3 inches wide around it and put a gold molding around the rim. 13 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened the rings to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles for carrying the table. 15 These poles were made out of acacia wood and were covered with gold. 16 For the table he made plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers to be used for pouring wine offerings. All of them were made out of pure gold.

The Lamp Stand(C)

17 He made the lamp stand out of pure gold. The lamp stand, its base, and its shaft, as well as the flower cups, buds, and petals were hammered out of one piece of gold. 18 Six branches came out of its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other. 19 Each of the six branches coming out of the lamp stand had three flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals. 20 The lamp stand itself had four flower cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and petals. 21 There was a bud under each of the three pairs of branches coming out of the lamp stand. 22 The buds and branches were hammered out of the same piece of pure gold as the lamp stand.

23 He made the seven lamps, the tongs, and the incense burners out of pure gold. 24 The lamp stand and all the utensils were made out of 75 pounds of pure gold.

The Altar for Incense(D)

25 He made an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar were made out of one piece of wood. 26 He covered all of it with pure gold—the top, the sides, and the horns—and he put a gold molding around it. 27 He made two gold rings and put them below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles for carrying it. 28 He made the poles out of acacia wood and covered them with gold.

29 He also had a perfumer make the holy oil to be used for anointing and for the pure, sweet-smelling incense.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 37:7 Or “cherubim.”

The Ark(A)

37 Bezalel(B) made the ark(C) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[a] He overlaid it with pure gold,(D) both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

He made the atonement cover(E) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Then he made two cherubim(F) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing(G) the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.(H)

The Table(I)

10 They[b] made the table(J) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.[c] 11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold(K) and made a gold molding around it. 12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth[d] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings(L) were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.

The Lampstand(M)

17 They made the lampstand(N) of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was 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. 22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.(O)

23 They made its seven lamps,(P) as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent[e] of pure gold.

The Altar of Incense(Q)

25 They made the altar of incense(R) out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high[f]—its horns(S) of one piece with it. 26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 27 They made two gold rings(T) below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.(U)

29 They also made the sacred anointing oil(V) and the pure, fragrant incense(W)—the work of a perfumer.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 37:1 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 6
  2. Exodus 37:10 Or He; also in verses 11-29
  3. Exodus 37:10 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
  4. Exodus 37:12 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  5. Exodus 37:24 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
  6. Exodus 37:25 That is, about 1 1/2 feet long and wide and 3 feet high or about 45 centimeters long and wide and 90 centimeters high