The Ark

10 “They are to make an ark(A) of acacia wood, forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.[a] 11 Overlay it with pure gold; overlay it both inside and out. Also make a gold molding all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and place them on its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. 13 Make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it. 16 Put the tablets of[b] the testimony that I will give you into the ark.(B) 17 Make a mercy seat(C) of pure gold, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.[c] 18 Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. At its two ends, make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat. 20 The cherubim are to have wings spread out above, covering(D) the mercy seat with their wings, and are to face one another. The faces of the cherubim should be toward the mercy seat. 21 Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the tablets of the testimony that I will give you into the ark.(E) 22 I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim(F) that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

The Table

23 “You are to construct a table(G) of acacia wood, thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.[d] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding all around it. 25 Make a three-inch[e] frame all around it and make a gold molding for it all around its frame. 26 Make four gold rings for it, and attach the rings to the four corners at its four legs. 27 The rings should be next to the frame as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, and the table can be carried by them. 29 You are also to make its plates(H) and cups, as well as its pitchers and bowls for pouring drink offerings. Make them out of pure gold. 30 Put the Bread of the Presence(I) on the table before me at all times.

The Lampstand

31 “You(J) are to make a lampstand(K) out of pure, hammered gold. It is to be made of one piece: its base and shaft, its ornamental cups, and its buds[f] and petals. 32 Six branches are to extend from its sides, three branches of the lampstand from one side and three branches of the lampstand from the other side. 33 There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and petals, on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with a bud and petals, on the next branch. It is to be this way for the six branches that extend from the lampstand. 34 There are to be four cups shaped like almond blossoms on the lampstand shaft along with its buds and petals. 35 For the six branches that extend from the lampstand, a bud must be under the first pair of branches from it, a bud under the second pair of branches from it, and a bud under the third pair of branches from it. 36 Their buds and branches are to be of one piece.[g] All of it is to be a single hammered piece of pure gold.

37 “Make its seven lamps,(L) and set them up so that they illuminate the area in front of it. 38 Its snuffers and firepans must be of pure gold. 39 The lampstand[h] with all these utensils is to be made from seventy-five pounds[i] of pure gold. 40 Be careful to make them according to the pattern(M) you have been shown on the mountain.

The Tabernacle

26 “You(N) are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains. You must make them of finely spun linen, and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with a design of cherubim worked into them. Each curtain should be forty-two feet[j] long and six feet[k] wide; all the curtains are to have the same measurements. Five of the curtains should be joined together, and the other five curtains joined together. Make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the last curtain in the first set, and do the same on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. Make fifty loops on the one curtain and make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain in the second set, so that the loops line up together. Also make fifty gold clasps and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single unit.

“You are to make curtains of goat hair for a tent over the tabernacle; make eleven of these curtains. Each curtain should be forty-five feet[l] long and six feet wide. All eleven curtains are to have the same measurements. Join five of the curtains by themselves, and the other six curtains by themselves. Then fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops on the edge of one curtain, the outermost in the first set, and make fifty loops on the edge of the corresponding curtain of the second set. 11 Make fifty bronze clasps; put the clasps through the loops and join the tent together so that it is a single unit. 12 As for the flap that remains from the tent curtains, the leftover half curtain is to hang over the back of the tabernacle. 13 What remains along the length of the tent curtains—a half yard[m] on one side and a half yard on the other side—should hang over the sides of the tabernacle on either side to cover it. 14 Make a covering for the tent from ram skins dyed red(O) and a covering of fine leather[n] on top of that.

15 “You are to make upright supports[o] of acacia wood(P) for the tabernacle. 16 Each support is to be fifteen feet[p] long and twenty-seven[q] inches wide. 17 Each support will have two tenons for joining. Do the same for all the supports of the tabernacle. 18 Make the supports for the tabernacle as follows: twenty supports for the south side, 19 and make forty silver bases under the twenty supports, two bases under the first support for its two tenons, and two bases under the next support for its two tenons; 20 twenty supports for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, 21 along with their forty silver bases, two bases under the first support and two bases under each support; 22 and make six supports for the west side of the tabernacle. 23 Make two additional supports for the two back corners of the tabernacle. 24 They are to be paired at the bottom, and joined together[r] at the top in a single ring. So it should be for both of them; they will serve as the two corners. 25 There are to be eight supports with their silver bases: sixteen bases; two bases under the first support and two bases under each support.

26 “You are to make five crossbars of acacia wood for the supports on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five crossbars for the supports on the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the supports on the back side of the tabernacle on the west. 28 The central crossbar is to run through the middle of the supports from one end to the other. 29 Then overlay the supports with gold, and make their rings of gold as the holders for the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold. 30 You are to set up the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you have been shown on the mountain.(Q)

31 “You are to make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen with a design of cherubim worked into it.(R) 32 Hang it on four gold-plated pillars of acacia wood that have gold hooks and that stand on four silver bases. 33 Hang the curtain under the clasps[s] and bring the ark of the testimony there behind the curtain, so the curtain will make a separation for you between the holy place(S) and the most holy place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.(T) 35 Place the table outside the curtain and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle, opposite the table; put the table on the north side.(U)

36 “For the entrance to the tent you are to make a screen embroidered[t] with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. 37 Make five pillars of acacia wood for the screen and overlay them with gold; their hooks are to be gold, and you are to cast five bronze bases for them.

The Altar of Burnt Offering

27 “You(V) are to construct the altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, 7½ feet long, and 7½ feet wide;[u] it must be 4½ feet high.[v] Make horns for it on its four corners; the horns are to be of one piece.[w] Overlay it with bronze.(W) Make its pots for removing ashes, and its shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans; make all its utensils of bronze. Construct a grate for it of bronze mesh, and make four bronze rings on the mesh at its four corners. Set it below, under the altar’s ledge,[x] so that the mesh comes halfway up[y] the altar. Then make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. They are to make it just as it was shown to you on the mountain.(X)

The Courtyard

“You(Y) are to make the courtyard for the tabernacle. Make hangings for the south side of the courtyard out of finely spun linen, 150 feet[z] long on that side 10 including twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and silver bands[aa] for the posts. 11 And so make hangings 150 feet long for the north side, including twenty posts and their twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and silver bands for the posts. 12 For the width of the courtyard, make hangings 75 feet[ab] long for the west side, including their ten posts and their ten bases. 13 And for the width of the courtyard on the east side toward the sunrise, 75 feet, 14 make hangings 22½ feet[ac] long for one side of the gate, including their three posts and their three bases. 15 And make hangings 22½ feet long for the other side, including their three posts and their three bases. 16 The gate of the courtyard is to have a 30-foot[ad] screen(Z) embroidered[ae] with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It is to have four posts and their four bases.

17 “All the posts around the courtyard are to be banded with silver and have silver hooks and bronze bases. 18 The courtyard is to be 150 feet long, 75 feet wide at each end, and 7½ feet high,[af] all of it made of finely spun linen. The bases of the posts are to be bronze. 19 All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use and all its tent pegs as well as all the tent pegs of the courtyard are to be made of bronze.

The Lampstand Oil

20 “You are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil from crushed olives for the light, in order to keep the lamp burning regularly. 21 In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is in front of the testimony,(AA) Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp(AB) from evening until morning before the Lord. This is to be a permanent statute(AC) for the Israelites throughout their generations.

Footnotes

  1. 25:10 Lit two and a half cubits its length, one and a half cubits its width, and one and a half cubits its height
  2. 25:16 the tablets of supplied for clarity, also in v. 21
  3. 25:17 Lit two and a half cubits its length, one and a half cubits its width
  4. 25:23 Lit two cubits its length, one cubit its width, and one and a half cubits its height
  5. 25:25 Lit Make it a handbreadth
  6. 25:31 = the outer covering of a flower
  7. 25:36 Lit piece with it
  8. 25:39 Lit It
  9. 25:39 Lit a talent
  10. 26:2 Lit 28 cubits
  11. 26:2 Lit four cubits, also in v. 8
  12. 26:8 Lit 30 cubits
  13. 26:13 Lit the cubit
  14. 26:14 Hb obscure
  15. 26:15 Or frames, or beams
  16. 26:16 Lit 10 cubits
  17. 26:16 Lit a cubit and a half
  18. 26:24 Lit and together they are to be complete
  19. 26:33 The clasps that join the ten curtains of the tabernacle; Ex 26:6
  20. 26:36 Or woven
  21. 27:1 Lit five cubits in length and five cubits in width
  22. 27:1 Lit wide; and its height three cubits
  23. 27:2 Lit piece with it
  24. 27:5 Perhaps a ledge around the altar on which the priests could stand; Lv 9:22
  25. 27:5 Or altar’s rim, so that the grid comes halfway down
  26. 27:9 Lit 100 cubits, also in v. 11
  27. 27:10 Or connecting rods, also in v. 11
  28. 27:12 Lit 50 cubits, also in v. 13
  29. 27:14 Lit 15 cubits, also in v. 15
  30. 27:16 Lit 20-cubit
  31. 27:16 Or woven
  32. 27:18 Lit be 100 by the cubit, and the width 50 by 50, and the height five cubits

The Ark(A)

10 “Have them make an ark[a](B) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[b] 11 Overlay(C) 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(D) on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.(E) 14 Insert the poles(F) 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.(G) 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law,(H) which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover(I) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 18 And make two cherubim(J) 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(K) are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing(L) the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark(M) and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law(N) that I will give you. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim(O) that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet(P) with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.(Q)

The Table(R)

23 “Make a table(S) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.[c] 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 Also make around it a rim a handbreadth[d] 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(T) 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.(U) 30 Put the bread of the Presence(V) on this table to be before me at all times.

The Lampstand(W)

31 “Make a lampstand(X) 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.(Y)

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

The Tabernacle(AC)

26 “Make the tabernacle(AD) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim(AE) woven into them by a skilled worker. All the curtains are to be the same size(AF)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[f] Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. 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. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. Then make fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle is a unit.(AG)

“Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. All eleven curtains are to be the same size(AH)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[g] 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.(AI) 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[h] 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(AJ) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[i](AK)

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,[j] 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(AL) 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(AM)—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(AN) according to the plan(AO) shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain(AP) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim(AQ) 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.(AR) 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.(AS) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.(AT) 34 Put the atonement cover(AU) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table(AV) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand(AW) opposite it on the south side.

36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain(AX) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.(AY) 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(AZ)

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

The Courtyard(BH)

“Make a courtyard(BI) for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits[m] 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[n] 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[o] 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(BJ) twenty cubits[p] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer(BK)—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,[q] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits[r] 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(BL)

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

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 25:10 That is, a chest
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Exodus 25:25 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  5. Exodus 25:39 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
  6. Exodus 26:2 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  7. Exodus 26:8 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  8. Exodus 26:13 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  9. Exodus 26:14 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 25:5)
  10. 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
  11. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 4 1/2 feet or about 1.4 meters
  12. Exodus 27:1 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters long and wide
  13. Exodus 27:9 That is, about 150 feet or about 45 meters; also in verse 11
  14. Exodus 27:12 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters; also in verse 13
  15. Exodus 27:14 That is, about 23 feet or about 6.8 meters; also in verse 15
  16. Exodus 27:16 That is, about 30 feet or about 9 meters
  17. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 150 feet long and 75 feet wide or about 45 meters long and 23 meters wide
  18. Exodus 27:18 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters