Exodus Chapter 37

At a Glance

  • The chapter also details the table of showbread and its vessels, underscoring the continuous, nourished relationship between God and His people.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • As with Chapter 36, Exodus 37 resides in the sanctuary-design portion of Exodus (chs.
  • In the broader book, this chapter continues the momentum toward the tabernacle’s completion and the conditioning of Israel’s religious life around the sanctuary.
  • - Sacred objects as vessels of God’s presence: The ark, mercy seat, and table are more than things; they mediate God’s presence and address Israel’s relationship with the divine.

EXODUS CHAPTER 37

Chapter Overview

Exodus 37 continues the detailed account of constructing and furnishing the tabernacle, focusing on the completion of the ark, the mercy seat, the table for showbread, and the furnishings of the sanctuary. Bezalel continues his work, taking the plans given by God and translating them into tangible sacred objects: the ark overlaid with gold, the mercy seat, the cherubim, and the implements for the table. Each item is described with precision—dimensions, overlay material, and the arrangement of precious materials—emphasizing that these sacred objects are not mere decoration but functional elements in Israel’s liturgical life. The ark, with its gold overlay, rings, and staves, is the visible sign of God’s presence and authority among the people. The mercy seat, flanked by cherubim, functions as the throne of God in the midst of Israel’s encampment.

The chapter also details the table of showbread and its vessels, underscoring the continuous, nourished relationship between God and His people. The careful artistry signals that God’s communion with Israel is intimate and ongoing. The narrative cadence remains ceremonial and meticulous, reinforcing that divine instruction shapes even the finest craft. The overall movement remains the same: God instructs, artisans create, and the sanctuary nears completion as the people prepare to enter a new phase of relational worship with their God.

Historical & Literary Context

As with Chapter 36, Exodus 37 resides in the sanctuary-design portion of Exodus (chs. 25–40). It functions as the concrete outworking of God’s blueprint for the sanctuary, spotlighting the craftsmanship of Bezalel and his team. The genre remains a hybrid: narrative description accompanied by ceremonial and architectural specificity. The theological aim is to present the tangible embodiment of divine command—material culture that communicates God’s holiness, governance, and presence.

In the broader book, this chapter continues the momentum toward the tabernacle’s completion and the conditioning of Israel’s religious life around the sanctuary. The repetition of precise measurements and materials intensifies the sense that worship is orderly, intentional, and sacred, not casual or domestic. By foregrounding the ark and its ritual apparatus, the text emphasizes God’s leadership and the responsibility of Israel to honor and respect the holy.

Key Themes

- Sacred objects as vessels of God’s presence: The ark, mercy seat, and table are more than things; they mediate God’s presence and address Israel’s relationship with the divine.

- Divine precision and beauty: The exact dimensions and materials underscore that worship spaces should reflect God’s holiness and order.

- Mediation of God’s presence: The ark’s significance anchors Israel’s sense of divine presence amid their journey.

- Continuity of worship life: The furnishings work together as a coherent system enabling ongoing sacrifice, memory, and fellowship.

Modern Application

In today’s context, Exodus 37 invites believers to consider the dignity and seriousness with which we view sacred objects and sacred spaces. It encourages intentionality in how we design church spaces, worship practices, and art for worship—where beauty and function align to honor God. The chapter also invites reflection on how communities understand mediation: God’s presence among His people is repeatedly mediated through objects, practices, and leaders. Ethical stewardship of resources used for worship remains a relevant lesson, reminding communities to pursue excellence without making the things themselves objects of worship. Additionally, the call to faithful craftsmanship can inspire contemporary believers to cultivate gifted artisans and designers who can serve the church with skill and devotion.

- Exodus 25–31 (precise instructions and the Spirit’s empowerment of artisans)

- Exodus 36–38 (continuation and completion of sanctuary furniture)

- Hebrews 9 (the earthly sanctuary as a shadow of heavenly realities)

- Colossians 3:23–24 (doing one’s work as service to the Lord)

Recommended Personas

- Bezalel and Oholiab (craftsmen of the sanctuary): for insights into artistry, devotion to divine commands, and craftsmanship as worship.

- Moses (leader and mediator): for governance, obedience to God’s commands, and faithful execution.

- Jesus (the true tabernacle): for typological reflection on God’s presence among people and the fulfillment of divine dwelling.

Chapter Text

1

And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim 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:

2

And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.

3

And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it.

4

And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

5

And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

6

And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.

7

And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;

8

One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.

9

And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims.

10

And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof:

11

And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about.

12

Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.

13

And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof.

14

Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table.

15

And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.

16

And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold.

17

And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same:

18

And 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:

19

Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

20

And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:

21

And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it.

22

Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.

23

And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold.

24

Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

25

And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.

26

And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about.

27

And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.

28

And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

29

And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Exodus Chapter 37 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
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