Add parallel Print Page Options

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.

Read full chapter

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.

Instruction to Collect Materials

25 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the Israelites,[a] and let them bring to me a contribution. You will receive my contribution from every man whose heart prompts him. And this is the contribution that you will receive from them—gold and silver and bronze, blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine linen and goat hair, and red-dyed ram skins, and fine leather,[b] and acacia wood, oil for the lamp, balsam oils for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones and stones for mountings on the ephod and the breast piece. And make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell in the midst of them, according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its equipment—and so you will do.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 25:2 Literally “sons/children of Israel”
  2. Exodus 25:5 The particular kind of leather is uncertain