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Exodus 38

31 verses

TL;DR

Exodus 38 details the meticulous construction of the altar and court of the Tabernacle, the materials and labor involved, and records the expenses and craftsmen.

Summary

In Exodus 38 the Israelites completed the bronze altar of burnt offering, using shittim wood for the frame and overlaying it with brass, adding horns, a grate, staves, and hollow boards. A bronze laver was also fashioned for the priests. The court around the Tabernacle was furnished with fine twined linen hangings, silver and brass pillars, and decorative silver fillets. The chapter lists the precise measurements of each element and names the chief artisans: Bezaleel, Aholiab, and Ithamar, all of whom worked under Moses’ instruction. Costs are itemized in talents of gold, silver, and brass, with allocations for sockets, hooks, and other fittings. The record concludes by summarizing the complete Tabernacle’s construction and the monetary resources expended.

Outline
  1. Construction of the altar and its bronze fittings
  2. Furnishing and decoration of the court and its materials
  3. Recording of labor, artisans, and monetary expenditure
Themes
Meticulous craftsmanship as an act of worshipAllocation of resources and the sanctity of material goodsThe collaborative effort of the community under divine guidance
Keywords
altarbrassshittimgoldsilverbronzeTabernaclecraftsmanshipcongregationcoststalentsshekelsfilletspylonsceremonialworship
People
MosesAaronIthamarBezaleelAholiabHurUri
Places
TabernacleCongregationCourt of the TabernacleTabernacle of Testimony
Things
Altar of burnt offeringShittim woodBrass overlayHornsBrazen grateStavesLaverFine twined linen hangingsSilver hooksGold, silver, brass, talents, shekelsSocketsPillarsFillets
Key Verses
  • Exodus 38:1: Describes the altar’s dimensions and materials, setting the tone for the chapter.
  • Exodus 38:8: Details the laver, underscoring the importance of ritual purity.
  • Exodus 38:21: Summarizes the entire Tabernacle construction, linking labor and devotion.
  • Exodus 38:24: Provides the precise monetary accounting for gold, highlighting the value placed on sacred work.
Questions
  • What does the emphasis on meticulous measurements reveal about Israel’s understanding of divine instruction?
  • How do the described materials (gold, silver, bronze) contribute to the perceived holiness of the Tabernacle?
  • In what ways does the collaboration of multiple tribes and artisans strengthen the communal identity?
  • Why might Moses have insisted on detailed accounting of resources?
  • How does the construction of the altar relate to the broader narrative of covenant and atonement?
Sentiment

neutral
The text is descriptive and factual, focusing on construction details without overt emotional language.