371 Bezalel made the Chest using acacia wood: He made it three and three-quarters feet long and two and a quarter feet wide and deep. 2 He covered it inside and out with a veneer of pure gold and made a molding of gold all around it. 3 He cast four gold rings and attached them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 He made poles from acacia wood, covered them with a veneer of gold, 5 and inserted the poles for carrying the Chest into the rings on the sides. 6 Next he made a lid of pure gold for the Chest, an Atonement-Cover, three and three-quarters feet long and two and a quarter feet wide. 7 He sculpted two winged angel-cherubim out of hammered gold for the ends of the Atonement-Cover, 8 one angel at one end, one angel at the other. He made them of one piece with the Atonement-Cover. 9 The angels had outstretched wings and appeared to hover over the Atonement-Cover, facing one another but looking down on the Atonement-Cover.
10 He made the Table from acacia wood. He made it three feet long, one and a half feet wide and two and a quarter feet high. 11 He covered it with a veneer of pure gold and made a molding of gold all around it. 12 He made a border a handbreadth wide all around it and a rim of gold for the border. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it and attached the rings to the four legs 14 parallel to the table top. They will serve as holders for the poles used to carry the Table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood and covered them with a veneer of gold. They will be used to carry the Table. 16 Out of pure gold he made the utensils for the Table: its plates, bowls, jars, and jugs used for pouring.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 37:1-16
Chapter Contents
The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle.
In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the alter represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.