Study notes

Exodus 38

Introducing ExodusWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

35:1–40:38 Section

Moses came down from Mount Sinai with stone tablets a second time. That time the Israelites listened and obeyed. Moses taught them to work for six days and to rest on the Sabbath day.

Then the entire community worked to make everything that God had told them to make. People freely gave offerings from what they had. Bezalel, Oholiab and other skilled workers used the offerings. They used them to make the holy tent and everything in it. They also made the priests’ clothes.

The Israelites made everything just as God had commanded Moses. Then Moses blessed the people. This was like when God created the world. He was pleased at what he had made and he blessed it (Genesis chapter 1).

When the holy tent was ready, God’s glory filled it. This showed that God was present with the Israelites in the tent. God continued to lead the people through the cloud and fire.

38:1–20

This section reports on building the courtyard (38:9–20) and its equipment, including the altar of burnt offering and the bronze basin (38:1–7; 38:8).

38:8

  • The plans for the bronze basin were part of the instructions to the priests (30:17–21; 29:38–30:38). Here, however, the text reports how the basin was built, following a logical order.

  • This bronze, which they could polish to look like mirrors, was probably of very high quality. It was suitable for use in God's Tent of Meeting.

38:21

Since the tabernacle contained the ark of the covenant (also called the ark of the Testimony), it is called the tabernacle of the Testimony.

38:21–29

The very large amount of metal listed here includes more than one metric ton (about 1,000 kilograms) of gold, almost four metric tons (about 4,000 kilograms) of silver, and two and a half metric tons (about 2,500 kilograms) of bronze.

This large supply shows how eager the Egyptians were to send the Israelites away. The Egyptians gave the Israelites whatever they asked for so that they would leave quickly (see 12:35–36).

38:26

  • For the earlier discussion of this tax, see 30:11–16. The sanctuary shekel was the standard used to measure other weights accurately.

  • 603,550: See study note on 12:37.

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