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Exodus 24-31
English Standard Version

The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, (A)Nadab, and Abihu, and (B)seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 Moses (C)alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.”

3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and (D)all the rules.[a] And all the people answered with one voice and said, (E)“All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 4 And (F)Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve (G)pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And (H)Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, (I)“All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 (J)And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and (K)seventy of the elders of Israel (L)went up, 10 and they (M)saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of (N)sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and (O)ate and drank.

12 The Lord said to Moses, (P)“Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the (Q)tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant (R)Joshua, and Moses went up (S)into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and (T)Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”

15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and (U)the cloud covered the mountain. 16 (V)The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a (W)devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses (X)was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Contributions for the Sanctuary

25 The Lord said to Moses, 2 (Y)“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From (Z)every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 (AA)blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair, 5 tanned (AB)rams' skins, goatskins,[b] acacia wood, 6 (AC)oil for the lamps, (AD)spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the (AE)ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a (AF)sanctuary, that (AG)I may dwell in their midst. 9 (AH)Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the (AI)tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

The Ark of the Covenant

10 (AJ)“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits[c] and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 You shall overlay it with (AK)pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its (AL)four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. 13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them. 15 The (AM)poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 (AN)And you shall put into the ark the (AO)testimony that I shall give you.

17 (AP)“You shall make a mercy seat[d] of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of (AQ)hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. (AR)Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. 20 (AS)The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. 21 And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. 22 (AT)There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from (AU)between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

The Table for Bread

23 (AV)“You shall make a table of acacia wood. Two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. 24 You shall overlay it with (AW)pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 25 And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth[e] wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 26 And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and fasten the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27 Close to the frame the rings shall lie, as (AX)holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, and the table shall be carried with these. 29 And you shall make its plates and (AY)dishes for incense, and its flagons and bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 And you shall set the (AZ)bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.

The Golden Lampstand

31 (BA)“You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; 33 three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, 35 and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. 36 Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps (BB)shall be set up so as (BC)to give light on the space in front of it. 38 Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talent[f] of pure gold. 40 And (BD)see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

The Tabernacle

26 “Moreover, (BE)you shall make the (BF)tabernacle with ten curtains of (BG)fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim (BH)skillfully worked into them. 2 The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits,[g] and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. 3 Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. 4 And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. 5 Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. 6 And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.

7 “You shall also make (BI)curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. 8 The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. 9 You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. 10 You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.

11 “You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. 12 And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. 14 (BJ)And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned (BK)rams' skins[h] and a covering of goatskins on top.

15 “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 16 Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 17 There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. 18 You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; 19 and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, 21 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. 22 And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. 23 And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; 24 they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. 25 And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.

26 “You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 28 The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. 29 You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for (BL)holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 Then you shall erect the tabernacle (BM)according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.

31 (BN)“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and (BO)fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim (BP)skillfully worked into it. 32 And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. 33 And you shall hang (BQ)the veil from the clasps, and bring (BR)the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. 34 (BS)You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And (BT)you shall set the table outside the veil, and the (BU)lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.

36 “You shall make a (BV)screen for the entrance of the tent, of (BW)blue and purple and scarlet yarns and (BX)fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. 37 And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.

The Bronze Altar

27 “You shall make the (BY)altar of acacia wood, five cubits[i] long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 And you shall make (BZ)horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and (CA)you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and (CB)forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar. 6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 And the poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8 You shall make it hollow, with boards. (CC)As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

The Court of the Tabernacle

9 (CD)“You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side the court shall have hangings of fine twined linen a hundred cubits long for one side. 10 Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11 And likewise for its length on the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, its pillars twenty and their bases twenty, of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases. 13 The breadth of the court on the front to the east shall be fifty cubits. 14 The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 15 On the other side the hangings shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases. 16 For the gate of the court there shall be (CE)a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases. 17 All the pillars around the court shall be filleted with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver, and their bases of bronze. 18 The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height five cubits, with hangings of fine twined linen and bases of bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, and all its pegs and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.

Oil for the Lamp

20 (CF)“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. 21 (CG)In the tent of meeting, (CH)outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.

The Priests' Garments

28 “Then bring near to you (CI)Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, (CJ)Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 2 (CK)And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all the (CL)skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. 4 These are the garments that they shall make: a (CM)breastpiece, an (CN)ephod, (CO)a robe, (CP)a coat of checker work, (CQ)a turban, and (CR)a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. 5 They shall receive (CS)gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.

6 (CT)“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the (CU)skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. 12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And (CV)Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders (CW)for remembrance. 13 You shall make settings of gold filigree, 14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.

15 (CX)“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work. In the style of the ephod you shall make it—of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen shall you make it. 16 It shall be square and doubled, a span[j] its length and a span its breadth. 17 (CY)You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius,[k] topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. 21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. 22 You shall make for the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold. 23 And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. 24 And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 25 The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 26 You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the (CZ)skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. 29 (DA)So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular (DB)remembrance before the Lord. 30 And in the breastpiece of judgment (DC)you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.

31 (DD)“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a garment,[l] so that it may not tear. 33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. 35 And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.

36 “You shall make (DE)a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, (DF)‘Holy to the Lord.’ 37 And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. 38 It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall (DG)bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.

39 “You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash embroidered with needlework.

40 (DH)“For Aaron's sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them (DI)for glory and beauty. 41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall (DJ)anoint them and ordain them and (DK)consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 42 You shall make for them (DL)linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; 43 and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they (DM)bear guilt and die. (DN)This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.

Consecration of the Priests

29 “Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. (DO)Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish, 2 (DP)and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour. 3 You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, and bring the bull and the two rams. 4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and (DQ)wash them with water. 5 Then (DR)you shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastpiece, and gird him with the (DS)skillfully woven band of the ephod. 6 (DT)And you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 You shall take (DU)the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. 8 Then you (DV)shall bring his sons and put coats on them, 9 and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with (DW)sashes and bind caps on them. And (DX)the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever. Thus you shall (DY)ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting. (DZ)Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11 Then you shall kill the bull before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting, 12 and (EA)shall take part of the blood of the bull and put it on the (EB)horns of the altar with your finger, and the rest of[m] the blood you shall pour out at the base of the altar. 13 And you shall take all (EC)the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But the flesh of the bull and its skin and its dung you shall burn with fire (ED)outside the camp; (EE)it is a sin offering.

15 “Then (EF)you shall take one of the rams, and (EG)Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, 16 and you shall kill the ram and shall take its blood and throw it against the sides of the altar. 17 Then you shall (EH)cut the ram into pieces, and wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and its head, 18 and burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord. It is a (EI)pleasing aroma, a food offering[n] to the Lord.

19 (EJ)“You shall take the other ram, (EK)and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, 20 and you shall kill the ram and take part of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tips of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of their right feet, and throw the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. 21 Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the (EL)anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons' garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons' garments with him.

22 “You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the (EM)fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of (EN)ordination), 23 and (EO)one loaf of bread and one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before the Lord. 24 You shall put all these on the palms of Aaron and on the palms of his sons, and (EP)wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. 25 Then (EQ)you shall take them from their hands and burn them on the altar on top of the burnt offering, as a (ER)pleasing aroma before the Lord. It is a food offering to the Lord.

26 “You shall take the (ES)breast of the ram of Aaron's (ET)ordination and (EU)wave it for a wave offering before the Lord, and it shall be your portion. 27 And you shall consecrate the (EV)breast of the wave offering that is waved and the (EW)thigh of the priests' portion that is contributed from the ram of (EX)ordination, from what was Aaron's and his sons'. 28 It shall be for Aaron and his sons as a (EY)perpetual due from the people of Israel, for it is a (EZ)contribution. It shall be a (FA)contribution from the people of Israel from their peace offerings, their contribution to the Lord.

29 “The holy garments of Aaron (FB)shall be for his sons after him; they shall (FC)be anointed in them and ordained in them. 30 The son who succeeds him as priest, who comes into the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place, shall wear them (FD)seven days.

31 “You shall take the ram of ordination and (FE)boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the (FF)bread that is in the basket in the entrance of the tent of meeting. 33 (FG)They shall eat those things with which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration, but an (FH)outsider shall not eat of them, because they are holy. 34 And if any of the flesh for the ordination or of the bread remain until the morning, then you shall (FI)burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

35 “Thus you shall do to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Through (FJ)seven days shall you ordain them, 36 and every day you shall offer a (FK)bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall (FL)anoint it to consecrate it. 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it, and the (FM)altar shall be most holy. (FN)Whatever touches the altar shall become holy.

38 “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: (FO)two lambs a year old (FP)day by day regularly. 39 One lamb you shall offer (FQ)in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer (FR)at twilight. 40 And with the first lamb a tenth measure[o] of fine flour mingled with a fourth of a hin[p] of beaten oil, and a fourth of a hin of wine for a drink offering. 41 The other lamb you shall offer (FS)at twilight, and shall offer with it a grain offering and its drink offering, as (FT)in the morning, for a (FU)pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. 42 It shall be a (FV)regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, (FW)where I will meet with you, to speak to you there. 43 There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be (FX)sanctified by my glory. 44 I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. (FY)Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. 45 (FZ)I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that (GA)I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

The Altar of Incense

30 (GB)“You shall make (GC)an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. 2 A cubit[q] shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. (GD)Its horns shall be of one piece with it. 3 You shall (GE)overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. 4 And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be (GF)holders for poles with which to carry it. 5 You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6 And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the (GG)mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you. 7 And Aaron shall (GH)burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he (GI)dresses the lamps he shall burn it, 8 and when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it, a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. 9 You shall not offer (GJ)unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it. 10 (GK)Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the (GL)sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”

The Census Tax

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 (GM)“When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give (GN)a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. 13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel[r] according to the (GO)shekel of the sanctuary (the (GP)shekel is twenty gerahs),[s] (GQ)half a shekel as an offering to the Lord. 14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord's offering. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than (GR)the half shekel, when you give the Lord's offering to make atonement for your lives. 16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall (GS)give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to (GT)remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”

The Bronze Basin

17 The Lord said to Moses, 18 “You shall also make a (GU)basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. (GV)You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, 19 with which Aaron and his sons (GW)shall wash their hands and their feet. 20 When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering[t] to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. 21 They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall (GX)be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.”

The Anointing Oil and Incense

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the (GY)finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of (GZ)aromatic cane, 24 and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a (HA)hin[u] of olive oil. 25 And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the (HB)perfumer; it shall be a (HC)holy anointing oil. 26 (HD)With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, 27 and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, 28 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the (HE)basin and its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. (HF)Whatever touches them will become holy. 30 (HG)You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 31 And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. (HH)It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. 33 (HI)Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”

34 The Lord said to Moses, (HJ)“Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), 35 and make an (HK)incense blended as by the (HL)perfumer, (HM)seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36 You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting (HN)where I shall meet with you. (HO)It shall be most holy for you. 37 And the incense that you shall make (HP)according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord. 38 (HQ)Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from his people.”

Oholiab and Bezalel

31 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name (HR)Bezalel the son of Uri, son of (HS)Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have (HT)filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him (HU)Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men (HV)ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 (HW)the tent of meeting, and (HX)the ark of the testimony, and (HY)the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent,

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 24:3 Or all the just decrees
  2. Exodus 25:5 Uncertain; possibly dolphin skins, or dugong skins; compare 26:14
  3. Exodus 25:10 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  4. Exodus 25:17 Or cover
  5. Exodus 25:25 A handbreadth was about 3 inches or 7.5 centimeters
  6. Exodus 25:39 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms
  7. Exodus 26:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  8. Exodus 26:14 Or of rams' skins dyed red
  9. Exodus 27:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  10. Exodus 28:16 A span was about 9 inches or 22 centimeters
  11. Exodus 28:17 The identity of some of these stones is uncertain
  12. Exodus 28:32 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain; possibly coat of mail
  13. Exodus 29:12 Hebrew all
  14. Exodus 29:18 Or an offering by fire; also verses 25, 41
  15. Exodus 29:40 Possibly an ephah (about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters)
  16. Exodus 29:40 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters
  17. Exodus 30:2 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  18. Exodus 30:13 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
  19. Exodus 30:13 A gerah was about 1/50 ounce or 0.6 gram
  20. Exodus 30:20 Or an offering by fire
  21. Exodus 30:24 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters
Listen to Exodus 24-31
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Exodus 24-31
New International Version

The Covenant Confirmed

24 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron,(A) Nadab and Abihu,(B) and seventy of the elders(C) of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach(D) the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws,(E) they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.”(F) 4 Moses then wrote(G) down everything the Lord had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar(H) at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars(I) representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings(J) and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings(K) to the Lord. 6 Moses(L) took half of the blood(M) and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed(N) against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant(O) and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”(P)

8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people(Q) and said, “This is the blood of the covenant(R) that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders(S) of Israel went up 10 and saw(T) the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli,(U) as bright blue as the sky.(V) 11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw(W) God, and they ate and drank.(X)

12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone(Y) with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

13 Then Moses set out with Joshua(Z) his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain(AA) of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur(AB) are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute(AC) can go to them.”

15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud(AD) covered it, 16 and the glory(AE) of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.(AF) For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.(AG) 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire(AH) on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty(AI) days and forty nights.(AJ)

Offerings for the Tabernacle(AK)

25 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts(AL) them to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn(AM) and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[a];(AN) acacia wood;(AO) 6 olive oil(AP) for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;(AQ) 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod(AR) and breastpiece.(AS)

8 “Then have them make a sanctuary(AT) for me, and I will dwell(AU) among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern(AV) I will show you.

The Ark(AW)

10 “Have them make an ark[b](AX) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[c] 11 Overlay(AY) it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings(AZ) on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(BA) 14 Insert the poles(BB) into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.(BC) 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law,(BD) which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover(BE) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim(BF) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. 20 The cherubim(BG) are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing(BH) the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark(BI) and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law(BJ) that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim(BK) that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet(BL) with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.(BM)

The Table(BN)

23 “Make a table(BO) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.[d] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 Also make around it a rim a handbreadth[e] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold(BP) and carry the table with them. 29 And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings.(BQ) 30 Put the bread of the Presence(BR) on this table to be before me at all times.

The Lampstand(BS)

31 “Make a lampstand(BT) of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 33 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 34 And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 35 One bud shall be 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. 36 The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.(BU)

37 “Then make its seven lamps(BV) and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays(BW) are to be of pure gold. 39 A talent[f] of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern(BX) shown you on the mountain.

The Tabernacle(BY)

26 “Make the tabernacle(BZ) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim(CA) woven into them by a skilled worker. 2 All the curtains are to be the same size(CB)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[g] 3 Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. 4 Make loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with the end curtain in the other set. 5 Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 6 Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.(CC)

7 “Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. 8 All eleven curtains are to be the same size(CD)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[h] 9 Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit.(CE) 12 As for the additional length of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit[i] longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a covering(CF) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[j](CG)

15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[k] 17 with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases(CH) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases(CI)—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

30 “Set up the tabernacle(CJ) according to the plan(CK) shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain(CL) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim(CM) woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.(CN) 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.(CO) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(CP) 34 Put the atonement cover(CQ) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table(CR) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand(CS) opposite it on the south side.

36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain(CT) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.(CU) 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

The Altar of Burnt Offering(CV)

27 “Build an altar(CW) of acacia wood, three cubits[l] high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.[m] 2 Make a horn(CX) at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. 3 Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls,(CY) meat forks and firepans.(CZ) 4 Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. 5 Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. 6 Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.(DA) 7 The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.(DB) 8 Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown(DC) on the mountain.

The Courtyard(DD)

9 “Make a courtyard(DE) for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits[n] long and is to have 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 shall also be a hundred cubits long and is to have curtains, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

12 “The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits[o] wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases. 13 On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide. 14 Curtains fifteen cubits[p] long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases, 15 and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.

16 “For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain(DF) twenty cubits[q] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer(DG)—with four posts and four bases. 17 All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide,[r] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits[s] high, and with bronze bases. 19 All the other articles used in the service of the tabernacle, whatever their function, including all the tent pegs for it and those for the courtyard, are to be of bronze.

Oil for the Lampstand(DH)

20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil(DI) of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. 21 In the tent of meeting,(DJ) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,(DK) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps(DL) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance(DM) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

The Priestly Garments

28 “Have Aaron(DN) your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu,(DO) Eleazar and Ithamar,(DP) so they may serve me as priests.(DQ) 2 Make sacred garments(DR) for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.(DS) 3 Tell all the skilled workers(DT) to whom I have given wisdom(DU) in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece,(DV) an ephod,(DW) a robe,(DX) a woven tunic,(DY) a turban(DZ) and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.(EA)

The Ephod(EB)

6 “Make the ephod(EC) of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands. 7 It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. 8 Its skillfully woven waistband(ED) is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.

9 “Take two onyx stones and engrave(EE) on them the names of the sons of Israel 10 in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. 11 Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings 12 and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders(EF) as a memorial(EG) before the Lord. 13 Make gold filigree settings 14 and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

The Breastpiece(EH)

15 “Fashion a breastpiece(EI) for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span[t] long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones(EJ) on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite(EK) and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[u] Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel,(EL) each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(EM)

22 “For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece. 24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach 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. 28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place,(EN) he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim(EO) in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.

Other Priestly Garments(EP)

31 “Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, 32 with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar[v] around this opening, so that it will not tear. 33 Make pomegranates(EQ) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

36 “Make a plate(ER) of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord.(ES) 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt(ET) involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable(EU) to the Lord.

39 “Weave the tunic(EV) of fine linen and make the turban(EW) of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron’s sons(EX) to give them dignity and honor.(EY) 41 After you put these clothes(EZ) on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint(FA) and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.(FB)

42 “Make linen undergarments(FC) as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. 43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting(FD) or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,(FE) so that they will not incur guilt and die.(FF)

“This is to be a lasting ordinance(FG) for Aaron and his descendants.

Consecration of the Priests(FH)

29 “This is what you are to do to consecrate(FI) them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.(FJ) 2 And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.(FK) 3 Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams.(FL) 4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.(FM) 5 Take the garments(FN) and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.(FO) 6 Put the turban(FP) on his head and attach the sacred emblem(FQ) to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil(FR) and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics(FS) 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons.[w](FT) The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance.(FU)

“Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(FV) 11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence(FW) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns(FX) of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.(FY) 13 Then take all the fat(FZ) on the internal organs,(GA) the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its intestines(GB) outside the camp.(GC) It is a sin offering.[x]

15 “Take one of the rams,(GD) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(GE) 16 Slaughter it and take the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash(GF) the internal organs and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma,(GG) a food offering presented to the Lord.

19 “Take the other ram,(GH) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.(GI) 20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.(GJ) Then splash blood against the sides of the altar.(GK) 21 And take some blood(GL) from the altar and some of the anointing oil(GM) and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.(GN)

22 “Take from this ram the fat,(GO) the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) 23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering.(GP) 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.(GQ) 26 After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.(GR)

27 “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons:(GS) the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. 28 This is always to be the perpetual share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.(GT)

29 “Aaron’s sacred garments(GU) will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.(GV) 30 The son(GW) who succeeds him as priest and comes to the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days.

31 “Take the ram(GX) for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place.(GY) 32 At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread(GZ) that is in the basket. 33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat(HA) them, because they are sacred. 34 And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning,(HB) burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

35 “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull each day(HC) as a sin offering to make atonement(HD). Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate(HE) it. 37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.(HF)

38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day:(HG) two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.(HH) 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah[y] of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin[z] of oil(HI) from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.(HJ) 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight(HK) with the same grain offering(HL) and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

42 “For the generations to come(HM) this burnt offering is to be made regularly(HN) at the entrance to the tent of meeting,(HO) before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you;(HP) 43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.(HQ)

44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.(HR) 45 Then I will dwell(HS) among the Israelites and be their God.(HT) 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt(HU) so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.(HV)

The Altar of Incense(HW)

30 “Make an altar(HX) of acacia wood for burning incense.(HY) 2 It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high[aa]—its horns(HZ) of one piece with it. 3 Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.(IA) 4 Make two gold rings(IB) for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(IC) 6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover(ID) that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense(IE) on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. 8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.(IF) 9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense(IG) or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. 10 Once a year(IH) Aaron shall make atonement(II) on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering[ab](IJ) for the generations to come.(IK) It is most holy to the Lord.”

Atonement Money

11 Then the Lord said to Moses, 12 “When you take a census(IL) of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom(IM) for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague(IN) will come on them when you number them. 13 Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,[ac] according to the sanctuary shekel,(IO) which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. 14 All who cross over, those twenty years old or more,(IP) are to give an offering to the Lord. 15 The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less(IQ) when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. 16 Receive the atonement(IR) money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.(IS) It will be a memorial(IT) for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

Basin for Washing

17 Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze basin,(IU) with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet(IV) with water(IW) from it. 20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die.(IX) Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, 21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance(IY) for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”(IZ)

Anointing Oil

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Take the following fine spices:(JA) 500 shekels[ad] of liquid myrrh,(JB) half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon,(JC) 250 shekels[ae] of fragrant calamus,(JD) 24 500 shekels(JE) of cassia(JF)—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin[af] of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer.(JG) It will be the sacred anointing oil.(JH) 26 Then use it to anoint(JI) the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them(JJ) so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.(JK)

30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate(JL) them so they may serve me as priests.(JM) 31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil(JN) for the generations to come.(JO) 32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.(JP) 33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off(JQ) from their people.’”

Incense

34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices(JR)—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense,(JS) the work of a perfumer.(JT) It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet(JU) with you. It shall be most holy(JV) to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy(JW) to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off(JX) from their people.”

Bezalel and Oholiab(JY)

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel(JZ) son of Uri, the son of Hur,(KA) of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge(KB) and with all kinds of skills(KC)— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab(KD) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan,(KE) to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers(KF) to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting,(KG) the ark of the covenant law(KH) with the atonement cover(KI) on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 25:5 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals
  2. Exodus 25:10 That is, a chest
  3. Exodus 25:10 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 17
  4. Exodus 25:23 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
  5. Exodus 25:25 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  6. Exodus 25:39 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
  7. Exodus 26:2 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  8. Exodus 26:8 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  9. Exodus 26:13 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  10. Exodus 26:14 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 25:5)
  11. Exodus 26:16 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide
  12. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 4 1/2 feet or about 1.4 meters
  13. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters long and wide
  14. Exodus 27:9 That is, about 150 feet or about 45 meters; also in verse 11
  15. Exodus 27:12 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters; also in verse 13
  16. Exodus 27:14 That is, about 23 feet or about 6.8 meters; also in verse 15
  17. Exodus 27:16 That is, about 30 feet or about 9 meters
  18. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 150 feet long and 75 feet wide or about 45 meters long and 23 meters wide
  19. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters
  20. Exodus 28:16 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  21. Exodus 28:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  22. Exodus 28:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  23. Exodus 29:9 Hebrew; Septuagint on them
  24. Exodus 29:14 Or purification offering; also in verse 36
  25. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms
  26. Exodus 29:40 That is, probably about 1 quart or about 1 liter
  27. Exodus 30:2 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
  28. Exodus 30:10 Or purification offering
  29. Exodus 30:13 That is, about 1/5 ounce or about 5.8 grams; also in verse 15
  30. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 12 1/2 pounds or about 5.8 kilograms; also in verse 24
  31. Exodus 30:23 That is, about 6 1/4 pounds or about 2.9 kilograms
  32. Exodus 30:24 That is, probably about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters
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