Exodus 38
Exodus 38 records the final stage of the construction of the tabernacle. In this chapter, it begins with the making of the altar of burnt offering and the bronze basin, and then goes into detail about the fence (enclosure) and the pillars of the tabernacle courtyard, as well as the list of materials used throughout the entire tabernacle. The account of the actual construction of the tabernacle, which began in chapter 36, continues up to just before chapter 39.
1verseHe made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits, and its height was three cubits.
2verseHe made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
3verseHe made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze.
4verseHe made for the altar a grating of a network of bronze, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up.
5verseHe cast four rings for the four corners of bronze grating, to be places for the poles.
6verseHe made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze.
7verseHe put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.
8verseHe made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
9verseHe made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits;
10versetheir pillars were twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
11verseFor the north side one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.
12verseFor the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.
13verseFor the east side eastward fifty cubits,
14versethe hangings for the one side were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three;
15verseand so for the other side: on this hand and that hand by the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
16verseAll the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen.
17verseThe sockets for the pillars were of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. Their capitals were overlaid with silver. All the pillars of the court had silver bands.
18verseThe screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height along the width was five cubits, like the hangings of the court.
19verseTheir pillars were four, and their sockets four, of bronze; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals, and their fillets, of silver.
20verseAll the pins of the tabernacle, and around the court, were of bronze.
21verseThese are the amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, even the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.
22verseBezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses.
23verseWith him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.
24verseAll the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
25verseThe silver of those who were counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary:
26versea beka a head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men.
27verseThe one hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil: one hundred sockets for the one hundred talents, one talent per socket.
28verseFrom the one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made fillets for them.
29verseThe bronze of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels.
30verseWith this he made the sockets to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, all the vessels of the altar,
31versethe sockets around the court, the sockets of the gate of the court, all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins around the court.
Summary of the Main Content
- Making the altar of burnt offering (vv. 1–7): The appearance, materials, utensils, grating, and carrying poles of the altar are described in detail.
- Bronze basin (v. 8): The bronze basin and its stand are made from the bronze mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. This basin is used by the priests for washing before service.
- Tabernacle courtyard (vv. 9–20): The chapter explains the construction of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle, including its curtains, pillars, bases, hooks, and entrance screen.
- List of materials (vv. 21–31): The amounts of gold, silver, and bronze used for the tabernacle are recorded in detail, showing the Israelites’ devotion and the community’s participation.
Overall Meaning and Message
Chapter 38 shows how the people’s devotion to God is offered, managed with integrity, and used for its intended holy purpose. The careful accounting of materials highlights transparency and faithfulness within the community. The bronze basin made from the women’s mirrors also carries deep meaning: something from everyday life is offered to God and transformed for holy service.
Points to Reflect On
- It can be an opportunity to look back on our lives of giving honestly and transparently before God.
- You can also reflect on how even small things—your possessions, talents, and daily life—can be transformed into something holy when you offer them according to God’s will.
Applying It to Yourself
- Think about whether you can offer to God not only your possessions, but also your small talents and ordinary resources with joy.
- Look back on your own attitude and consider whether you approach the work of the community with honesty and transparency.