Study Desk

Offerings for the Tabernacle^(a)

The Lord said to Moses,

"Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts^(b) them to give.

These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze;

blue, purple and scarlet yarn^(c) and fine linen; goat hair;

ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather^[a];^(d) acacia wood;^(e)

olive oil^(f) for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;^(g)

and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod^(h) and breastpiece.⁽ⁱ⁾

"Then have them make a sanctuary^(j) for me, and I will dwell^(k) among them.

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern^(l) I will show you.

"Have them make an ark^[b](n) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.^[c]

Overlay^(o) it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings^(p) on one side and two rings on the other.

Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.^(q)

Insert the poles^(r) into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.^(s)

Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law,^(t) which I will give you.

"Make an atonement cover^(u) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

And make two cherubim^(v) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

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.

The cherubim^(w) are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing^(x) the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.

Place the cover on top of the ark^(y) and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law^(z) that I will give you.

There, above the cover between the two cherubim^(aa) that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet^(ab) with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.^(ac)

"Make a table^(ae) of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high.^[d]

Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it.

Also make around it a rim a handbreadth^[e] wide and put a gold molding on the rim.

Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are.

The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.

Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold^(af) and carry the table with them.

And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings.^(ag)

Put the bread of the Presence^(ah) on this table to be before me at all times.

"Make a lampstand^(aj) of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.

Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other.

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.

And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.

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.

The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.^(ak)

"Then make its seven lamps^(al) and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it.

Its wick trimmers and trays^(am) are to be of pure gold.

A talent^[f] of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories.

See that you make them according to the pattern^(an) shown you on the mountain.

The Tabernacle^(a)

"Make the tabernacle^(b) with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim^(c) woven into them by a skilled worker.

All the curtains are to be the same size^(d)—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.^[a]

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.^(e)

"Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether.

All eleven curtains are to be the same size^(f)—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.^[b]

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.

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.

Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops to fasten the tent together as a unit.^(g)

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.

The tent curtains will be a cubit^[c] longer on both sides; what is left will hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it.

Make for the tent a covering^(h) of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.^[d](i)

"Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle.

Each frame is to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,^[e]

with two projections set parallel to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way.

Make twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle

and make forty silver bases^(j) to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection.

For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames

and forty silver bases^(k)—two under each frame.

Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle,

and make two frames for the corners at the far end.

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.

So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

"Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle,

five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle.

The center crossbar is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames.

Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

"Set up the tabernacle^(l) according to the plan^(m) shown you on the mountain.

"Make a curtain⁽ⁿ⁾ of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim^(o) woven into it by a skilled worker.

Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.^(p)

Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain.^(q) The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.^(r)

Put the atonement cover^(s) on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.

Place the table^(t) outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand^(u) opposite it on the south side.

"For the entrance to the tent make a curtain^(v) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer.^(w)

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^(a)

"Build an altar^(b) of acacia wood, three cubits^[a] high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.^[b]

Make a horn^(c) 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,^(d) meat forks and firepans.^(e)

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.^(f)

The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.^(g)

Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown^(h) on the mountain.

"Make a courtyard^(j) for the tabernacle. The south side shall be a hundred cubits^[c] long and is to have curtains of finely twisted linen,

with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

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.

"The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits^[d] wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases.

On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide.

Curtains fifteen cubits^[e] long are to be on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,

and curtains fifteen cubits long are to be on the other side, with three posts and three bases.

"For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain^(k) twenty cubits^[f] long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer^(l)—with four posts and four bases.

All the posts around the courtyard are to have silver bands and hooks, and bronze bases.

The courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide,^[g] with curtains of finely twisted linen five cubits^[h] high, and with bronze bases.

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.

"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil⁽ⁿ⁾ of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.

In the tent of meeting,^(o) outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law,^(p) Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps^(q) burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance^(r) among the Israelites for the generations to come.

The Priestly Garments

"Have Aaron^(a) your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu,^(b) Eleazar and Ithamar,^(c) so they may serve me as priests.^(d)

Make sacred garments^(e) for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.^(f)

Tell all the skilled workers^(g) to whom I have given wisdom^(h) in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.

These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece,⁽ⁱ⁾ an ephod,^(j) a robe,^(k) a woven tunic,^(l) a turban^(m) and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests.

Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.⁽ⁿ⁾

"Make the ephod^(p) of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands.

It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened.

Its skillfully woven waistband^(q) is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen.

"Take two onyx stones and engrave^(r) on them the names of the sons of Israel

in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other.

Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings

and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders^(s) as a memorial^(t) before the Lord .

Make gold filigree settings

and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings.

"Fashion a breastpiece^(v) for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.

It is to be square—a span^[a] long and a span wide—and folded double.

Then mount four rows of precious stones^(w) on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite^(x) and beryl;

the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald;

the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst;

the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.^[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings.

There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel,^(y) each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.^(z)

"For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.

Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece.

Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece,

and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front.

Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod.

Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod.

The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

"Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place,^(aa) he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord .

Also put the Urim and the Thummim^(ab) in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord . Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord .

"Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth,

with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar^[c] around this opening, so that it will not tear.

Make pomegranates^(ad) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.

The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe.

Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

"Make a plate^(ae) of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord .^(af)

Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban.

It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt^(ag) involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable^(ah) to the Lord .

"Weave the tunic^(ai) of fine linen and make the turban^(aj) of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer.

Make tunics, sashes and caps for Aaron's sons^(ak) to give them dignity and honor.^(al)

After you put these clothes^(am) on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint^(an) and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.^(ao)

"Make linen undergarments^(ap) as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh.

Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting^(aq) or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place,^(ar) so that they will not incur guilt and die.^(as) "This is to be a lasting ordinance^(at) for Aaron and his descendants.