Exodus 35:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen;

NIV: the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it;

NASB: the ark and its poles, the atoning cover, and the covering curtain;

CSB: the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the curtain for the screen;

NLT: the Ark and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover — the place of atonement; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;

KJV: The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

NKJV: the ark and its poles, with the mercy seat, and the veil of the covering;

Exodus 35:10–19 summons competent workers to make the tabernacle's components. These artisans will work under the supervision of Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1–6; 35:30, 34). Moses repeats these instructions to Israel after receiving them from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25—31).

The tabernacle-building project begins with a reminder about Sabbath-keeping. The subtext is that even temple-building work is still "work," and cannot be done on the Sabbath. Using nearly the exact same words from prior passages, Scripture records the people donating materials. Moses assigns Bezalel and Oholiab as project managers, training and overseeing as Israelites create sacred objects.

The Lord gave Moses extensive designs for the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). He has just renewed the covenant (Exodus 34) broken by Israelite sin (Exodus 32). Now, Moses begins repeating these instructions to the people. The next several chapters will record Israel following God's directions closely, completing the sanctuary.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 8/30/2025 4:35:34 PM