371 And Bezaleel maketh the ark of shittim wood, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height; 2 and he overlayeth it with pure gold within and without, and maketh for it a wreath of gold round about; 3 and he casteth for it four rings of gold, on its four feet, even two rings on its one side, and two rings on its second side; 4 and he maketh staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold, 5 and he bringeth in the staves into the rings, by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 And he maketh a mercy-seat of pure gold, two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth; 7 and he maketh two cherubs of gold, of beaten work he hath made them, at the two ends of the mercy-seat; 8 one cherub at the end on this 'side', and one cherub at the end on that, out of the mercy-seat he hath made the cherubs, at its two ends; 9 and the cherubs are spreading out wings on high, covering over the mercy-seat with their wings, and their faces 'are' one towards another; towards the mercy-seat have the faces of the cherubs been.
10 And he maketh the table of shittim wood; two cubits its length, and a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height, 11 and overlayeth it with pure gold, and maketh for it a wreath of gold round about. 12 And he maketh for it a border of a handbreadth round about, and maketh a wreath of gold for its border round about; 13 and he casteth for it four rings of gold, and putteth the rings on the four corners which 'are' to its four feet; 14 over-against the border have the rings been, places for staves to bear the table. 15 And he maketh the staves of shittim wood, and overlayeth them with gold, to bear the table; 16 and he maketh the vessels which 'are' upon the table, its dishes, and its bowls, and its cups, and the cups by which they pour out, of pure gold.
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.