371 Next Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood-a sacred chest 45Â inches long, 27Â inches wide, and 27Â inches high. 2 He overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it. 3 He cast four gold rings and attached them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 4 Then he made poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He inserted the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it. 6 Then he made the Ark's cover-the place of atonement-from pure gold. It was 45Â inches long and 27Â inches wide. 7 He made two cherubim from hammered gold and placed them on the two ends of the atonement cover. 8 He molded the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 9 The cherubim faced each other and looked down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they protected it.
10 Then Bezalel made the table of acacia wood, 36Â inches long, 18Â inches wide, and 27Â inches high. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold and ran a gold molding around the edge. 12 He decorated it with a 3-inch border all around, and he ran a gold molding along the border. 13 Then he cast four gold rings for the table and attached them at the four corners next to the four legs. 14 The rings were attached near the border to hold the poles that were used to carry the table. 15 He made these poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 16 Then he made special containers of pure gold for the table-bowls, ladles, jars, and pitchers-to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.
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.