A verse by verse commentary on Exodus 37 dealing with the Ark,the Table,the Lampstand, and the Altar of Inense,

1. EXODUS 37 COMME TARY
EDITED BY GLE PEASE
COMME T-This chapter deals with many details that are self-explanatory and so
there is less commentary than in other chapters.
The Ark
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a
half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a
cubit and a half high.[a]
CLARKE, "And Bezaleel made the ark, etc. - For a description of the ark, see
Exo_25:10 (note), etc.
GILL 1-29, "And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood,.... Jarchi says, because
he gave his mind to this work more than the rest of the wise men, it is called by his
name. It is a notion of some Jewish writers that the ark was made by Bezaleel, without
the help of others; but there is no sufficient reason to be given for it; for other things are
equally ascribed to him in this and the following chapter, as the mercy seat with the
cherubim, the shewbread table, the candlestick of pure gold, the two altars, the laver of
brass, with other things, which are only said to be made by him, because they were made
by his direction, and he having the oversight of them while making; wherefore Aben
Ezra observes, that this is particularly said for the glory of the ark. Of the ark, and all
other things mentioned in this chapter; see Gill on Exo_25:1 &c. to end of chapter; see
Gill on Exo_30:1 &c. to end of chapter.
HE RY 1-9, "I. It may be thought strange that Moses, when he had recorded so fully
the instructions given him upon the mount for the making of all these things, should
here record as particularly the making of them, when it might have sufficed only to have
said, in a few words, that each of these things was made exactly according to the
directions before recited. We are sure that Moses, when he wrote by divine inspiration,
used no vain repetitions; there are no idle words in scripture. Why then are so many
chapters taken up with this narrative, which we are tempted to think needless and
tedious? But we must consider, 1. That Moses wrote primarily for the people of Israel, to
whom it would be of great use to read and hear often of these divine and sacred treasures
with which they were entrusted. These several ornaments wherewith the tabernacle was
furnished they were not admitted to see, but the priests only, and therefore it was

2. requisite that they should be thus largely described particularly to them. That which they
ought to read again (lest they should fail of doing it) is written again and again: thus
many of the same passages of the history of Christ are in the New Testament related by
two or three, and some by four of the evangelists, for the same reason. The great things
of God's law and gospel we need to have inculcated upon us again and again. To write
the same (says St. Paul) to me is not grievous, but for you it is safe, Phi_3:1. 2. Moses
would thus show the great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing
exactly according to the pattern shown him in the mount. Having before given us the
original, he here givers us the copy, that we may compare them, and observe how exactly
they agree. Thus he appeals to every reader concerning his fidelity to him that appointed
him, in all his house, and in all the particulars of it, Heb_3:5. And thus he teaches us to
have respect to all God's commandments, even to every iota and tittle of them. 3. It is
intimated hereby that God takes delight in the sincere obedience of his people, and keeps
an exact account of it, which shall be produced to their honour in the resurrection of the
just. None can be so punctual in their duty, but God will be as punctual in his notices of
it. He is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, in any instance of it,
Heb_6:10. 4. The spiritual riches and beauties of the gospel tabernacle are hereby
recommended to our frequent and serious consideration. Go walk about this Zion, view
it and review it: the more you contemplate the glories of the church, the more you will
admire them and be in love with them. The charter of its privileges, and the account of
its constitution, will very well bear a second reading.
II. In these verses we have an account of the making of the ark, with its glorious and
most significant appurtenances, the mercy-seat and the cherubim. Consider these three
together, and they represent the glory of a holy god, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the
communion that is between them, in and by a Mediator. 1. It is the glory of a holy god
that he dwells between the cherubim; that is, is continually attended and adored by the
blessed angels, whose swiftness was signified by their faces being one towards another.
2. It is the character of an upright heart that, like the ark of the testimony, it has the law
of God hid and kept in it. 3. By Jesus Christ, the great propitiation, there is
reconciliation made, and a communion settled, between us and God: he interposes
between us and God's displeasure; and not only so, but through him we become entitled
to God's favour. If he write his law in our heart, he will be to us a God and we shall be to
him a people. From the mercy-seat he will teach us, there he will accept us, and show
himself merciful to our unrighteousness; and under the shadow of his wings we shall be
safe and easy.
JAMISO , "Exo_37:1-29. Furniture of the Tabernacle.
Bezaleel made the ark — The description here given of the things within the sacred
edifice is almost word for word the same as that contained in Exo_25:1-40. It is not on
that account to be regarded as a useless repetition of minute particulars; for by the
enumeration of these details, it can be seen how exactly everything was fashioned
according to the “pattern shown on the mount” [Exo_25:40]; and the knowledge of this
exact correspondence between the prescription and the execution was essential to the
purposes of the fabric.
K&D 1-29, "Preparation of the vessels of the dwelling: viz., the ark of the covenant
(Exo_37:1-9, as in Exo_25:10-22); the table of shew-bread and its vessels (Exo_37:10-
16, as in Exo_25:23-30); the candlestick (Exo_37:17-24, as in Exo_25:31-40); the altar

3. of incense (Exo_37:25-28, as in Exo_30:1-10); the anointing oil and incense (Exo_
37:29), directions for the preparation of which are given in Ex 30:22-38; the altar of
burnt-offering (Exo_38:1-7, as in Exo_27:1-8); the laver (Exo_37:8, as in Exo_30:17-
21); and the court (Exo_37:9-20, as in Exo_27:9-19). The order corresponds on the
whole to the list of the separate articles in Exo_35:11-19, and to the construction of the
entire sanctuary; but the holy chest (the ark), as being the most holy thing of all, is
distinguished above all the rest, by being expressly mentioned as the work of Bezaleel,
the chief architect of the whole.
CALVI , "If the repetition, which might appear to be superfluous in these
chapters, should be wearisome to us, let us reflect on the intention of the Holy Spirit,
who, in narrating the execution of the work, uses almost the identical words wherein
He had previously set forth the commands of God, viz., that we may understand
that Moses, and the artificers themselves, did not vary in the smallest point from the
rule prescribed to them. God had commanded the Ark of the Covenant to be made,
together with its cover; and Moses relates how it was completed, so that the
artificers did not omit even its very minutest detail. He ordered a table to be made
for the offering of bread, and not a single syllable is neglected. As to the candlestick
there was the same scrupulous obedience, so that they did not alter it in any part. In
the altar of incense there was no kind of dissimilarity between the command and the
work; and, finally, the composition of the oil exactly corresponds with the
command. There is no question, then, but that Moses commends obedience, as it is
the foundation of true piety, and at the same time reminds us that there was no
exercise of the imagination in the whole service of the tabernacle, because there is
nothing more opposite to the purity of religion than to do anything which is not
enjoined.
BE SO , ". The house of God being thus finished, the furniture is next made for it.
The several articles and ornaments of this the people were not admitted to see, but
the priests only; and therefore it was requisite that they should be largely described,
as they are in this chapter, particularly to them. And Moses would thus show the
great care which he and his workmen took to make every thing exactly according to
the pattern showed him in the mount. Thus he appeals to every reader concerning
his fidelity to him that appointed him, in all his house. And thus he teacheth us to
have respect to all God’s commandments, even to every jot and tittle of them.
Bezaleel made the ark of shittim-wood — The ark, with its glorious appurtenances,
the mercy-seat and the cherubim, was the principal part of the furniture of the
tabernacle. It was placed in the most sacred apartment of the house, and was the
great symbol of the divine presence and protection. “It represented,” says Henry,
“the glory of a holy God, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is
between them by a Mediator. It is the glory of a holy God, that he dwelleth between
the cherubim, that is, he is continually attended by the blessed angels, whose
swiftness was signified by the wings of the cherubim, and their unanimity in their
services, by their faces being one toward another. It is the character of an upright
heart, that, like the ark of the testimony, it hath the law of God hid and kept in it.
By Jesus Christ, the great propitiation, there is reconciliation made, and a

4. communion settled between us and God: he interposeth between us and God’s
displeasure; and through him we become entitled to God’s favour.
COFFMA , "This chapter records the building of the Ark and the Mercy-seat
(Exodus 37:1-9), instructions for which are recorded in Exodus 25:10-22; the Table
of Showbread (Exodus 37:10-16), instructions for which are in Exodus 25:28-30; the
Golden Candlestick (Exodus 37:17-24), the instructions being in Exodus 25:31-40;
the Altar of Incense (Exodus 37:25-28), instructions being found in Exodus 30:1-5;
the Holy Oil and Incense (Exodus 37:29), the recipe for which is detailed in Exodus
30:22-38. Of course, any modern writer would have written all this merely by the
statement that, "Moses did all this exactly according to the instructions of Jehovah."
However, this is not a modern book, or even a book like those known in Western
Civilization. It is a book written after the style of ancient ear East literature in
1400 B.C., which is thus confirmed as the approximate date of Exodus. This must be
added to many other evidences which we have cited here and there throughout
Exodus and Genesis, frustrating and destroying the fanciful imaginations which
attempt to link these sacred books with a scheming and reprobate priesthood in fifth
or sixth century (B.C.) Jewish generations.
For our comments on these items in the sacred furniture of the Tabernacle, see the
special articles devoted to each of them in the appropriate passages in which one
finds the divine instructions for making them.
Exodus 37:1-29 -
"And Bezaleel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half was the length of
it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of
it.Deuteronomy 10:1-5, where Moses is said to have made an ark, is seized upon as a
contradiction, but it is only a pseudocon. See comment on this under [1"
translation="">Exodus 34:29-35.">[1] And he overlaid it with pure gold within and
without. and made a crown of gold to it round about. And he cast for it four rings of
gold, in the four feet thereof; even two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on
the other side of it. And he made staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. And he
made a mercy-seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and a
cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And he made two cherubim of gold; of beaten
work made he them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat; one cherub at the one end,
and one cherub at the other end: of one piece with the mercy-seat made he the
cherubim at the two ends thereof And the cherubim spread out their wings on high,
with their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat were the faces of the
cherubim.
And he made the table of acacia wood; two cubits was the length thereof, and a
cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof And he overlaid
it with pure gold, and made thereto a crown of gold round about. And he made unto
it a border of a handbreadth round about, and made a gold crown to the border
thereof round about. And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the

5. four corners that were on the four feet thereof. Close by the border were the rings,
the places for the staves to bear the table. And he made the staves of acacia wood,
and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. And he made the vessels which were
upon the table, the dishes thereof, and the spoons thereof, and the bowls thereof,
and the flagons thereof, wherewith to pour out, of pure gold.
And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick,
even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with
it. And there were six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the
candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of
the other side thereof: three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop
and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a
knop and a flower: so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. And in the
candlestick were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the
flowers thereof; and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop
under two branches with one piece with it, and a knop under two branches with it,
for the six branches going out of it. Their knops and their branches were of one
piece with it: the whole of it was one beaten work of pure gold. And he made the
lamps thereof, seven, and snuffers thereof, and the snuff-dishes thereof, of pure
gold. Of a talent of pure gold he made it, and all the vessels thereof.[2]
And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was the length thereof, and
a cubit the breadth thereof, foursquare; and two cubits was the height thereof; the
horns thereof were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with pure gold, the top
thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: and he made unto it
a crown of gold round about. And he made for it two golden rings under the crown
thereof, upon the two ribs thereof, for places for staves wherewith to bear it. And he
made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he made the holy
anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.[3]
COKE, "Verses 1-9
Exodus 37:1-9.— In God's work great exactness is needful; we must follow his
written word, neither adding thereto, nor diminishing therefrom: thus did Moses.
The furniture of the most holy place is finished: the ark, the cherubims, and mercy-
seat; these are inseparable. ote; When Jesus, the true Mercy-seat, is in our hearts,
then shall we see the favourable countenance of God over us, and within us the deep
engravings of his holy mind and will.
CO STABLE, "Verses 1-20
The furniture, vessels, and courtyard37:1-38:20
The ark of the covenant Exodus 37:1-9 (cf. Exodus 25:10-22)
The table of showbread Exodus 37:10-16 (cf. Exodus 25:23-30)
The lampstand Exodus 37:17-24 (cf. Exodus 25:31-40)

6. The altar of incense Exodus 37:25-28 (cf. Exodus 30:1-10)
The anointing oil and incense Exodus 37:29 (cf. Exodus 30:22-28)
The brazen altar Exodus 38:1-7 (cf. Exodus 27:1-8)
The laver Exodus 38:8 (cf. Exodus 30:17-21)
The courtyard Exodus 38:9-20 (cf. Exodus 27:9-19)
PETT, "Verses 1-9
The Making of the Furniture - The Work Overseen By Bezalel (Exodus 37:1 to
Exodus 38:20).
Bezalel had responsibility for all the sacred furniture. We may assume, however,
that he obtained assistance in the more general work. We note that the order of
furniture made commences from the Holy of Holies and moves through the Holy
Place to the outer court.
There is here a continual general pattern commencing with the making and
description of the item of furniture, followed by the making of the means of its
transportation (rings and staves) (Exodus 37:1 to Exodus 38:8).
The Making of the Ark (Exodus 37:1-9).
Exodus 37:1-9
‘And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it,
and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: and
he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it
round about. And he cast for it four rings of gold, in on its four feet; even two rings
on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. And he made staves of
acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he put the staves into the rings on
the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. And he made a mercy-seat of pure gold: two
cubits and a half was its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And he made two
cherubim of gold; he made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy-seat;
one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end: he made the cherubim
of one piece with the mercy-seat at its two ends. And the cherubim spread out their
wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, with their faces one to
another; the faces of the cherubim were towards the mercy-seat.’
ote that it is stressed that the Ark was made by Bezalel himself. The best was made
by the best. For details of the Ark see on Exodus 25:10-22.
PULPIT, "Exodus 37:1-29
THE FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE WORK

7. THE CO STRUCTIO OF THE FUR ITURE FOR THE HOLY OF HOLIES
(Exodus 37:1, Exodus 37:9)
A D FOR THE HOLY PLACE (Exodus 37:10-28)
THE MAKI G OF THE HOLY OIL A D OF THE I CE SE (Exodus 37:29).
On the history of the construction of the tabernacle follows naturally that of the
construction of its furniture. The order of dignity is followed, as in Exodus 25:1-40;
and the furniture of the holy of holies taken first. Exodus 37:1-9 correspond to
Exodus 25:10-20. Exodus 37:10-16 to Exodus 25:23-29; Exodus 37:17-24 to Exodus
25:31-39 of the same; and Exodus 37:25-28 to Exodus 30:1-5. Exodus 37:29 is an
abbreviation of Exodus 30:23-25, and Exodus 30:34, Exodus 30:35.
Exodus 37:1
Bezaleel made the ark. The particular maker of the various parts and contents of
the tabernacle is not elsewhere pointed out. Thus this mention of Bezaleel is
emphatic, and seems intended to mark the employment of the highest artistic skill
on that which was the most precious of all objects connected with the new
construction.
2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and
out, and made a gold molding around it.
3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them
to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two
rings on the other.
4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid
them with gold.

8. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the
sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two
and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
CLARKE, "He made the mercy-seat - See this described Exo_25:17 (note).
JAMISO 6-10, "made the mercy seat of pure gold — To construct a figure,
whether the body of a beast or a man, with two extended wings, measuring from two to
three feet from tip to tip, with the hammer, out of a solid piece of gold, was what few, if
any, artisans of the present day could accomplish.
7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered
gold at the ends of the cover.
PULPIT, "Beaten out of one piece. Rather, "of beaten work," as the same word is
translated in the corresponding passage, Exodus 25:18.
8 He made one cherub on one end and the second

9. cherub on the other; at the two ends he made
them of one piece with the cover.
9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward,
overshadowing the cover with them. The
cherubim faced each other, looking toward the
cover.
The Table
10 They[b] made the table of acacia wood—two
cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half
high.[c]
CLARKE, "He made the table - See Exo_25:23.
HE RY 10-24, "Here is, 1. The making of the table on which the show-bread was to
be continually placed. God is a good householder, that always keeps a plentiful table. Is
the world his tabernacle? His providence in it spreads a table for all the creatures: he
provides food for all flesh. Is the church his tabernacle? His grace in it spreads a table
for all believers, furnished with the bread of life. But observe how much the dispensation
of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with
show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on this table, and
afterwards only by the priests; but to the table which Christ has spread in the new
covenant all real Christians are invited guests; and to them it is said, Eat, O friends,
come eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the
enjoyment of, and a hearty welcome to. 2. The making of the candlestick, which was not
of wood overlaid with gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, Exo_37:17, Exo_37:22.
This signified that light of divine revelation with which God's church upon earth (which
is his tabernacle among men) has always been enlightened, being always supplied with
fresh oil from Christ the good Olive, Zec_4:2, Zec_4:3. God's manifestations of himself
in this world are but candle-light compared with the daylight of the future state. The
Bible is a golden candlestick; it is of pure gold, Psa_19:10. From it light is diffused to

10. every part of God's tabernacle, that by it his spiritual priests may see to minister unto the
Lord, and to do the service of his sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for
necessary use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; there are many things which God
saw fit to beautify his word with which we can no more give a reason for than for these
knops and flowers, and yet we are sure that they were added for a good purpose. Let us
bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the removal of it
out of its place.
BE SO , "Exodus 37:10. Observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds
that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread,
bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on the table, and
afterward only by the priest: but to the table Christ has spread, in the new
covenant, all good Christians are invited as guests, and to them it is said, Eat, O
friends, come, eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the
gospel gives the enjoyment of.
PETT, "Verses 10-16
The Making Of Table For The Showbread (Exodus 37:10-16).
Exodus 37:10-16
‘And he made the table of acacia wood: two cubits was its length, and a cubit its
breadth, and a cubit and a half its height: and he overlaid it with pure gold, and
made for it a crown of gold round about. And he made for it a border of a
handbreadth round about, and made a golden crown for its border round about.
And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that were
on its four feet. Close by the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear
the table. And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to
bear the table. And he made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes and its
spoons, and its bowls, and its flagons, with which to pour out, of pure gold.’
For the Table details see on Exodus 25:23-30.
11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made
a gold molding around it.
12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth
[d] wide and put a gold molding on the rim.

11. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and
fastened them to the four corners, where the four
legs were.
14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the
poles used in carrying the table.
15 The poles for carrying the table were made of
acacia wood and were overlaid with gold.
16 And they made from pure gold the articles for
the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its
pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.
CLARKE, "He made the vessels - See all these particularly described in the notes
on Exo_25:29 (note).
COKE, "Exodus 37:16. Of pure gold— God's table and its vessels were rich gold;
but the provision which was placed upon it was far more precious. The gold might
decay, and its beauty be tarnished; but the soul that feeds upon Christ, the Living
Bread which the loaves there placed represented, shall infinitely outlive that gold in
duration, outshine it in lustre, and outweigh it in excellence.

12. The Lampstand
17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They
hammered out its base and shaft, and made its
flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece
with them.
CLARKE, "He made the candlestick - See this described in the note on Exo_
25:31 (note).
JAMISO 17-22, "he made the candlestick of pure gold — Practical readers will
be apt to say, “Why do such works with the hammer, when they could have been cast so
much easier - a process they were well acquainted with?” The only answer that can be
given is, that it was done according to order. We have no doubt but there were reasons
for so distinctive an order, something significant, which has not been revealed to us
[Napier]. The whole of that sacred building was arranged with a view to inculcate
through every part of its apparatus the great fundamental principles of revelation. Every
object was symbolical of important truth - every piece of furniture was made the
hieroglyphic of a doctrine or a duty - on the floor and along the sides of that movable
edifice was exhibited, by emblematic signs addressed to the eye, the whole remedial
scheme of the gospel. How far this spiritual instruction was received by every successive
generation of the Israelites, it may not be easy to determine. But the tabernacle, like the
law of which it was a part, was a schoolmaster to Christ [Gal_3:24, Gal_3:25]. Just as
the walls of schools are seen studded with pictorial figures, by which the children, in a
manner level to their capacities and suited to arrest their volatile minds, are kept in
constant and familiar remembrance of the lessons of piety and virtue, so the tabernacle
was intended by its furniture and all its arrangements to serve as a “shadow of good
things to come” [Heb_10:1]. In this view, the minute description given in this chapter
respecting the ark and mercy seat, the table of showbread, the candlestick, the altar of
incense, and the holy oil, were of the greatest utility and importance; and though there
are a few things that are merely ornamental appendages, such as the knops and the
flowers, yet, in introducing these into the tabernacle, God displayed the same wisdom
and goodness as He has done by introducing real flowers into the kingdom of nature to
engage and gratify the eye of man.
BE SO , "Exodus 37:17. This candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with
gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, signified that light of divine revelation
with which God’s church upon earth (which is his tabernacle among men) hath
always been enlightened, being always supplied with fresh oil from Christ the good
olive, Zechariah 4:2-3. The Bible is a golden candlestick, it is of pure gold; from it

13. light is diffused to every part of God’s tabernacle, that by it the spiritual priests may
see to do the service of his sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for
necessary use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; many things which God saw
fit to beautify his word with, which we can no more give a reason for than for these
knops and flowers, and yet must be sure they were added for some good purpose.
Let us bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the
removal of it out of its place!
COKE, "Exodus 37:17. And he made the candlestick, &c.— The word of God is the
golden candlestick, pure in itself, without alloy, and serving to enlighten us for all
the spiritual services whereunto we are consecrated. May we know how to value the
inestimable blessing, and never provoke God to remove his blessed and holy word
from us by our sins against the light of it.
PETT. "Verses 17-24
The Making Of The Golden Lampstand (Exodus 37:17-24).
Exodus 37:17-24
‘And he made the lampstand of pure gold: of beaten work he made the lampstand,
even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, were of one piece with
it. And there were six branches going out of its sides; three branches of the
lampstand out of one of its sides, and three branches of the lampstand out of its
other side: three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a
flower, and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and
a flower: so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. And in the lampstand
were four cups made like almond-blossoms, the its knops, and its flowers; and a
knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of
one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six
branches going out of it. Their knops and their branches were of one piece with it:
the whole of it was one beaten work of pure gold. And he made its lamps , seven,
and its snuffers, and its snuffdishes, of pure gold. he made it of a talent of pure gold,
and all its vessels.’
For the lampstand details see on 25:31-40.
18 Six branches extended from the sides of the
lampstand—three on one side and three on the
other.
19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with

14. buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on
the next branch and the same for all six branches
extending from the lampstand.
20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped
like almond flowers with buds and blossoms.
21 One bud was 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.
22 The buds and the branches were all of one
piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure
gold.
23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick
trimmers and trays, of pure gold.
PULPIT, "Exodus 37:23
His snuffers. Or, "tongs," as in Exodus 25:38.
24 They made the lampstand and all its

15. accessories from one talent[e] of pure gold.
The Altar of Incense
25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia
wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide
and two cubits high[f]—its horns of one piece with
it.
CLARKE, "He made the incense altar - See this described Exo_30:1 (note).
HE RY 25-29, "Here is, 1. The making of the golden altar, on which incense was to
be burnt daily, which signified both the prayers of saints and the intercession of Christ,
to which are owing the acceptableness and success of those prayers. The rings and
staves, and all the appurtenances of this altar, were overlaid with gold, as all the vessels
of the table and candlestick were of gold, for these were used in the holy place. God is the
best, and we must serve him with the best we have; but the best we can serve him with in
his courts on earth is but as brass, compared with the gold, the sinless and spotless
perfection, with which his saints shall serve him in his holy place above. 2. The
preparing of the incense which was to be burnt upon this altar, and with it the holy
anointing oil (Exo_37:29), according to the dispensatory, Exo_30:22, etc. God taught
Bezaleel this art also; so that though he was not before acquainted with it yet he made up
these things according to the work of the apothecary, as dexterously and exactly as if he
had been bred up to the trade. Where God gives wisdom and grace, it will make the man
of God perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work.
BE SO , "Exodus 37:25. The incense burned on this altar daily. signified both the
prayers of saints and the intercession of Christ, to which is owing the acceptableness
of them.
ELLICOTT, "Verses 25-28
(25-28) And he made . . . —The order of the instructions given on Mount Sinai is
here departed from. In them the directions for the altar of incense were separated
off from those concerning the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick. Here
the construction of the three pieces of furniture belonging to the Holy Place is given
consecutively. The present passage corresponds with Exodus 37:1-5 of Exodus 30,

16. with which it is in the closest agreement.
PETT, "Verses 25-29
The Making Of The Altar of Incense (Exodus 37:25-28).
Exodus 37:25-28
‘And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was its length, and a cubit
its breadth, foursquare; and two cubits its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.
And he overlaid it with pure gold, its top, and its sides round about, and its horns:
and he made for it a raised ridge of gold round about. And he made for it two
golden rings under its ridge, on its two ribs, on the two sides of it, for places for
staves with which to bear it. And he made the staves of acacia wood, and overlaid
them with gold.
For the altar of incense details see on Exodus 30:1-10. These verses were omitted by
LXX possibly because the fact of the non-appearance of the Altar of Incense with
the Table and the Lampstand in Exodus 25 influenced their thinking.
PULPIT, "Exodus 37:25
The incense altar here occurs in its right place, among the furniture of the outer
chamber of the tabernacle—not, as in Exodus 30:1-6, out of place.
26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the
horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding
around it.
27 They made two gold rings below the molding—
two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the
poles used to carry it.
28 They made the poles of acacia wood and
overlaid them with gold.
29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and

17. the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a
perfumer.
CLARKE, "He made the holy anointing oil - See this and the perfume, and the
materials out of which they were made, described at large in the notes on Exo_30:23-25
and Exo_30:34-38. As this chapter also is a repetition of what has been mentioned in
preceding chapters, the reader is desired to refer to them.
ELLICOTT, "(29) In this verse we have the composition by Bezaleel of the holy oil
and the incense, described in Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 30:34-35, related with the
utmost brevity.
PETT, "The Making Of The Anointing Oil And The Incense.
Exodus 37:29
‘And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the
art of the perfumer.’
For details of these see on Exodus 30:22-38.
PULPIT, "Exodus 37:29
The holy anointing oil. For the composition of the oil, see Exodus 30:23-25; for the
uses whereto it was to be applied, Exodus 30:26-30. The pure incense of sweet spices.
The composition of the incense is given in Exodus 30:34, Exodus 30:35. It is there
said to have been "a confection after the art of the apothecary—tempered together,
pure and holy." The combination of artistic power with practical knowledge in
Bezaleel and Ahollab calls to mind cinque-cento Italy, and the wonderful grasp of
art and science possessed by Michael Angelo and Benvenuto Cellini