Exodus 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 Commentary by Mark Dunagan

The Book Of Exodus Chapters 35-40

“These chapters repeat the material in chapters 25-31 almost word for word.

The earlier chapters gave God’s instructions about how to build the tabernacle.

Chapters 35-39 tell how it was built part by part, following God’s instructions word by word” (Fields p. 767).

The question might be asked, “Why all this repetition?”, especially in a book that is extremely brief and to the point. The repetition does stress how faithfully Moses carried out God’s instructions. The phrase “as Jehovah commanded Moses” appears seven times in chapter 39 and eight more times in chapter forty.

In addition, the New Testament notes that many of the things constructed in these chapters were shadows and types of far greater realities (Hebrews 8:2; 9:23; Colossians 2:17). We could also say that these chapters represent one of the few bright spots in the history of this generation of God’s people.

Constructing the tabernacle is one of the few things that they did right. One of the few areas in which they seemed to completely trust God’s instructions.

I. Chapter 35: 35:1-3 Since sacrifices were offered on the Sabbath (Numbers 28:9-10), the fires here were the individual fires of each household. Remember, concerning the manna, on the day prior to the Sabbath the manna was to be cooked for the Sabbath day (Exodus 16:23). Carefully note that the Sabbath regulations even applied during the period of time that the tabernacle was being constructed.

“Even during the construction of the Tabernacle the sacred day was to be observed” (Smith p. 326).

Offerings Of Material For The Tabernacle: 35:4-29 35:4-5 God has always wanted people to give, because they wanted to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). In like manner, the house of God today, the church (1 Tim. 3:15), won’t be built up, unless every member is willing to offer their time, talents and prosperity with a willing and cheerful heart (Ephesians 4:16). The willingness is strongly stressed in this section (35:21,22,29).

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35:6-9 Here are the materials which were needed for the construction of the tabernacle and those things associated with it, including the garments worn by the High Priest.

35:10 “let every skillful man among you come”-In addition, to the two men that God inspired for this work (35:30,34), others who had various talents and skills were needed. Skilled craftsmen among the people were encouraged to volunteer their services. In like manner, the Church needs the talents and time of those who have been added to her. Our we using our abilities for the furtherance of the kingdom? Or, must God settle for our leftover time and talents?

35:11-19 Here is a list of what needs to be made.

35:20-29 The response was overwhelming! This is one of the few bright spots for this generation. It proves that they weren’t inherently evil, they could serve God, but so often they chose the path of unbelief. “everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him”-Everyone caught the spirit of the enterprise, enthusiasm is contagious, and so is grumbling. Someone entitled this section, “A Building Committee’s Dream!”. 1. An Immediate Response (2122), 2. Willing Earnest Response. 3. Sacrificial Response (22-24). 4.

Working Response (25-26). “The primary source of the materials required was, of course Egypt. As noted above the Israelites were able to take with them a great deal of valuable material from Egypt (3:22; 12:35-36; 35:23; 38:8).

Additional material was probably also acquired when they defeated the Amalekites (17:8-16)” (Davis p. 263).

35:30-35 To assist in building and to make sure everything was done according to the way God commanded, God had inspired two “foremen”, in the realm of craftsmanship. “Bezalel”-(bez uh LEL), “Oholiab”-(o HOLE ih ab), “the son of Ahisamach”-(a HIS ah mack). “The obscure tribe of Dan was honored by supplying craftsman, as well as the prominent tribe of Judah” (Fields p. 776). In addition, these men were to teach others (35:34).

II. Chapter 36: 36:1-7 Once again, it is stressed that what will be made will be made exactly according to what God had commanded (36:1). “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it” (25:9).

Points To Note:

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Many people think that if they have a skill or talent, that they can use it in whatever way they want for God. Note, such skillful workmen still were required to follow a Divine pattern. Skills which are not subjected to the will of God, are wasted skills. 2. The temple was also built according to a Divine pattern (1 Chron. 28:19). The house of God today, the church (1 Tim. 3:15), also has a Divine pattern in Scripture. This pattern includes a pattern for worship, organizational structure, doctrine, mission, work, terms of entrance and exit, etc…

On this occasion, the people bring more material than is needed. In fact, Moses had to command the people to stop giving! (36:6-7) What a bright spot in Israel’s history! The generosity of the Israelites on this occasion reminds us of the churches of Macedonia (2 Cor. 8:2-3) or the church at Philippi (Philippians 4:14-19). Cole notes, “It must have been both a disappointment and a frustration to those who had delayed their gifts because they could not bear to part with their treasures, and who now found that God had no further need of them. His work was finished, but they had excluded themselves from any share in it: God deliver any of us from such a frustration” (p. 235).

The Tabernacle: 36:8-38 This section basically repeats the instructions found in Exodus 26:1-37.

The “cubit” was normally recognized to be the distance from the elbow to the fingertip. The standard Hebrew cubit was 17.5 inches. The tabernacle would one day be replaced by the temple, hence the tabernacle was built to serve the immediate needs of the Israelites. Such a portable tent-structure was ideal for traveling and for a dry climate. There are five different names or titles given for this structure. 1. The sanctuary (Ex. 25:8), denoting a place that is sacred. 2.

“Tabernacle” (25:9), a masculine noun which is derived from the Hebrew, meaning to settle down, abide or dwell. This term, speaks of one of the functions of the tabernacle: namely, to be a residing place for God among His people. 3. “Tent” (26:36), which commonly referred to a collapsible or temporary dwelling. 4. “Tent of meeting” (29:42). 5. “Tabernacle of the Testimony” (38:21), because the law contained on the two tablets, and the book of the Law were both deposited in this tent, the tablets in the ark, the book next to the ark (25:21-22; 31:18).

There is some disagreement concerning the exact shape of the tabernacle. The traditional view is that the tabernacle proper was an oblong flat-roofed structure with the coverings over the top and hanging down in either side and the back.

Davis notes, “The traditional viewpoint of a flat roof is supported by a number of writers and this appears to be preferable in the light of all the biblical data that

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we presently have at hand. The outside curtains (26:8) were to be thirty cubits long, the exact length required to provide a flat roof and to extend down on either side….it might be noted further that the fact that the inner curtain was two cubits shorter than the outer three which covered it probably implies that the outer curtains were designed to protect it and that they probably reached to the ground” (p. 260).

36:8-13 “ten curtains”-These would be the inner curtains of the tabernacle.

They consisted of ten curtains of fine linen dyed blue, purple and scarlet with cherubim embroidered in them. They were two cubits shorter than the outer curtains (26:7), making the inner covering one cubit shorter on each side than the outer covering. The beauty of these linen curtains therefore could only be seen from the inside.

36:14 “goats hair”-is still commonly used by Arabs in weaving their tents. It provides strength and gives protection from wet and stormy weather.

36:19 “porpoise skins”-Some feel that the Hebrew word here rendered “porpoise” (“badger” KJV), refers to the sea cow. Such animals grow to about ten or twelve feet, and are often found among the coral rocks of the Red Sea. Point To Note: “From a purely aesthetic point of view the tabernacle could not be considered a thing of beauty, at least from the outside” (Davis p. 268).

36:20 “boards…of acacia wood”-Such wood is very durable, close-grained, very heavy and indestructible by insects. This tree also grows in very dry places.

Carefully note that the boards of the tabernacle compose an interlocking frame, over which the various coverings were spread. Unfortunately, from the term “boards” some have thought that the walls of the tabernacle were solid. This framework construction would make the tabernacle considerably lighter and therefore more portable. These boards fitted into sockets (24). “One can only imagine the beauty of these curtains as framed by the gold-covered framework of the tabernacle itself” (Davis p. 268).

36:20-34 These verses describe how the framework was constructed. See also 26:15-30. Crossbars were also constructed to strengthen the frame (36:33).

We also learn that these boards were overlaid with gold (36:34).

36:35-37 Two entrance curtains were constructed, one that divided the tabernacle’s interior, and one at the very entrance (26:31-37). The veil that divided the holy place from the holy of holies, was supported by four goldcovered acacia wood pillars and held together by hooks so that it might hang in the tabernacle.

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III. Chapter 37: The Ark And The Mercy Seat: 37:1-9 See Exodus 25:10-22. The ark is called the “ark of the Lord”, “ark of God”, “ark of the covenant of the Lord” (Deut. 10:8) and the “ark of the testimony”. This was a chest made of acacia wood, which measured about three feet 9 inches long and 2 feet 3 inches deep. The entire chest was covered with gold and carried on poles which were inserted through rings at the four lower corners.

The ark served as the repository for the two tablets of stone, in addition to a pot of manna and Aaron’s rod (Heb. 9:4-5).

The lid on this chest was known as the “mercy-seat”, and was made of solid gold. On the top and on either end stood two cherubim of gold with outstretched wings. “The word for mercy seat comes from a Hebrew root meaning ‘to cover’ and thus depicts an important aspect of divine mercy…It was the focal point of attention especially on the annual day of atonement when blood was sprinkled on that seat (Lev. 16). The mercy seat typified the throne of God (Exodus 25:21-22; Hebrews 9:24). And in the New Covenant, Jesus Himself is our mercy seat, He is the covering for our sins (1 John 2:2). The cherubim seem to be actual beings of the angelic order. They do not seem to be identical with the seraphim (Isaiah 6:2).

Point To Note: Vine notes that the Greek word rendered “propitiation” in Romans 3:25, is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in reference to the mercy seat.

Christ is the covering for our sins.

The Table Of Showbread: 37:10-16 See also Exodus 25:23-30. The rim or border around the top probably prevented things from falling off. This table was also to be carried with poles (14). On this table were placed twelve cakes, renewed each week, in two piles (Lev. 24:5-6), together with dishes (for the bread), spoons (incense cups), and bowls (for drinking offerings). All of these were made of pure gold. The loaves of bread could be eaten by the priests on the Sabbath but only in the holy place (Lev. 25:5-9). Davis notes, “The twelve loaves (probably representing the twelve tribes) constituted a perpetual thank offering to God from the twelve tribes for the blessings that they received from Him day by day” (p. 265). Note the contrast

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between this and paganism, in paganism food was sometimes placed on a sacred table as food for a god. God didn’t need this bread, rather the priests ate it. “The showbread has been regarded by some as a type or symbol of the Lord’s supper. There are a few resemblances, such as the weekly eating of the bread by the priests” (Fields p. 579). The very name “showbread” literally means “bread of the face(s)”, or presence-bread (Ex. 25:20).

The Golden Lampstand: 37:17-24 See also Exodus 25:31-40. The dimensions of the lampstand are not given, but the branches were decorated with almond-shaped bowls or cups (25:33). It consisted of an upright shaft from each side of which three branches extended upward in pairs. “The lamps of the lampstand were to be trimmed every evening at sunset and again in the morning (Ex. 27:20-21; 30:7-8; Lev. 24:3-4). They were never to be extinguished all at one time. A special ordinance was established to keep it supplied with pure olive oil (Ex. 27:20; Lev. 24:2) (Davis pp. 266-267). The Hebrew word for lampstand is “Menorah”. A relief carving on the Arch of Titus in Rome shows the menorah taken from Herod’s temple in Jerusalem (A.D. 70). The lampstand in that carving isn’t the same one that was in the tabernacle. The lampstand weighed 75 pounds (Ex. 25:39). The practical purpose for the lampstand was to give light in the tabernacle. In the New Covenant every Christian has access to the full and complete light that has been revealed through the apostles (John 16:13).

The Golden Altar Of Incense: 37:25-29 See also Exodus 30:1-10. “The position of the altar was to be in the holy place, in front of the ‘veil that is by the ark of the testimony’ (30:6). It will be noted that in Hebrews 9:3-4 the altar of incense was considered as belonging to the most holy place. This concept probably grew out of the fact that as the priests in their ministry approached the sacred presence of God above the mercy seat, the altar of incense was the place to which they first came” (Davis pp. 274-275). Incense was offered here every morning and evening (30:7-8). In Scripture, “incense” often symbolizes prayer (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). The continual burning of the incense is symbolic of the continual prayers that the people of God should be offering (1 Thess. 5:17-18). Definite specifications were given for the holy anointing oil in 37:29 (see Exodus 30:34-35).

IV. Chapter 38: The Altar Of Burnt Offering: 38:1-7

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See also Exodus 27:1-8. This altar stood just inside the door to the courtyard that surrounded the tabernacle. Like all the other furniture, it also was portable.

It was basically a box, and the view traditionally held by Jewish commentators is that this was merely an altar box case which was designed to be filled with earth when sacrifices were to be brought. The “horns”, probably were useful in binding certain sacrifices upon the altar. Those charged with a crime who wanted sanctuary and mercy would often cling to them (1 Kings 1:50-51; 2:28).

“The very position of this altar near the entrance of the main court indicates very clearly the absolute necessity for blood atonement before real fellowship can be initiated with…God. The slaughter of animals on this altar was a very vivid reminder to Israel that sin indeed requires a high price. It was not a pleasant thing to see an innocent animal slaughtered and burned, but then sin is an ugly thing and the sacrifice here, as well as that on Calvary, should be a vivid reminder to everyone of the hideousness of sin and its price” (Davis p. 272).

The Laver: 38:8 See also Exodus 30:10. Here the priests had to wash themselves before entering the tabernacle (30:18-21). In like manner, we must be baptized (Titus 3:5 “laver of regeneration”), before we can enter into God’s household, the church (Acts 2:41,47).

Point To Note: Exodus 38:8 speaks of the “serving women” who served at the door of the tent of meeting. Compare with 1 Samuel 2:22. We are never really told what this service involved. Some suggest prayer and fasting (Luke 2:37), singing and dancing in religious celebrations (Exodus 15:1ff), or assisting in the cleaning of the tent and tabernacle area.

The Court: 38:9-20 See also Exodus 27:9-19. As with the rest of the tabernacle, the fence that surrounded the tabernacle was also portable. It consisted of a linen screen, half the height of the tabernacle, which was hung on acacia wood posts. All of this was stabilized by ropes and pegs.

Material Used: 38:21-31 A talent weighed approx. 75 pounds, it consisted of 3000 shekels, which was about four-tenths of an ounce. From these numbers we learn: 1. The gold used amounted to one ton and 350 pounds. 2. The silver used amounted to four tons. 3. The brass (copper or bronze), two tons and 500 pounds. The heavy 7

brass and silver sockets and other heavy items were transported about in six covered wagons pulled by twelve oxen (Numbers 7:2-5).

A “beka” (38:26), is a weight of measure equal to one half of a shekel, that is, 0.2 ounces. The number of Israelite men counted here, is the same number found in Numbers 1:46. 38:20 This more durable metal was used for the bases of the entrance way, the bronze altar and its grating, the altar utensils, as well as the bases for each of the poles supporting the tent and the tent pegs.

V. Chapter 39: The Priestly Garments: 39:1-31 See also Exodus 28:2-43. These sacred garments were always to be worn when the priests served in the sanctuary but never at other times (Ex. 35:19; Lev. 16:4,23,24; Eze. 42:14; 44:19). The external beauty of such garments should suggest to us that worshipping and serving God is a beautiful and attractive thing.

39:2-7 The Ephod (EE fod) (Exodus 28:6-14): Was designed to be a sleeveless outer garment, probably going down to the waist. It consisted of two pieces, the one covering the back and the other the front. The two parts were fastened together on the top of each shoulder by a golden clasp or straps on the top of which were two onyx stones with the names of six tribes on each. We might call such a garment an outer vest. Verse 3 gives us some detail concerning how the Israelites were able to produce the gold thread that was interwoven in such garments. The “band” in verse 5 was probably a belt or sash that held the bottom portion of this vest together.

39:8-21 The Breastplate (Exodus 28:15-29): Was a square piece of cloth. It was folded in half and held firmly to the ephod over the priests heart by means of rings and threads of gold. “In all probability it was a sort of pouch, open at the top. Upon this breastplate were twelve precious stones set in gold and arranged in four rows” (Davis p. 284).

Point To Note: In this breastplate were the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30) (YOU rim, THUME em), which means the “lights and perfections”. The exact nature of such and how they worked is a matter of debate. They were often used by the high priest in times of crisis to determine the will of God (Numbers 27:21) (See Exodus 28:30; Lev. 8:8; Deut. 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Neh. 7:65). For the various theories concerning how these things worked see Davis pp. 285-286.

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39:22-26 The Robe of the Ephod (Exodus 28:31-35): Apparently was a robe worn immediately underneath the Ephod. Along the hem were golden bells.

“The sound of the bells made the worshippers conscious that the priest was officiating in their behalf in God’s presence” (Davis p. 287).

39:28-31 The Turban (Exodus 28:36-38): The inscription upon the gold plate attached to this turban, focused attention upon the essence of God’s character and the requirement of holiness and purity for true worship. In like manner, if we are going to be priests (1 Peter 2:5,9), we must be holy (1 Peter 1:14ff).

The Tabernacle Is Set Up: 39:33-43 As always, Moses demonstrates a heart that is always conscious of the will of God. He inspects the work just to make sure that everything had been made in exact conformity to God’s instructions (43). Note, the only spiritual work that can receive God’s blessing is that which has been done in accordance with the will of God (Matthew 7:22-23).

VI. Chapter 40: 40:1-15 Moses gives instructions concerning the consecration of the tabernacle, Aaron and his sons. Note in verse 15, that all future priests had to come from the descendants of these men.

40:17 “in the first month of the second year”: One year after the Exodus (12:2), and nine months after Israel’s arrival at Sinai (19:1), the tabernacle is erected.

40:34-38 For Moses, this must have been the real moment of satisfaction. This is God placing His approval on everything that has been made. All of it had been done right!

Later History Of The Tabernacle: 1. It was probably set up at Gilgal after Israel crossed the Jordan into the promised land (Josh. 4:19; 5:10; 9:6; 10:6,43).

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2. It was erected at Shiloh in the center of the land, and remained there throughout the period of the Judges (Joshua 18:1; 19:51; 1 Samuel 1:3; 4:3,12).

3. After the time of Eli it was removed to Nob (probably just north of Jerusalem) (1 Samuel 21:1-9). The ark of the covenant remained at Kiriath-Jearim till the time of David (1 Samuel 7:1-2).

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By the time of David (1000 B.C.), the tabernacle and altar of burnt-offering had been moved to Gibeon, about five miles northwest of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 21:29; 16:39-40; 2 Chron. 1:3; 1 Kings 3:4; 9:2).

5. David brought the ark to Jerusalem, where he had prepared a new tent for it (2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Chron. 16:1).

6. Solomon built the temple, and replaced every part of the tabernacle, except the ark (1 Kings 8:4,6).

7. After Solomon’s temple was destroyed in 586 B.C., we hear no more of the ark of the covenant. It was not replaced in the second temple by Zerubbabel (516 B.C.).

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