Exodus 37:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings.

NIV: And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.

NASB: He also made the utensils which were on the table, its dishes, its pans, its libation bowls, and its jars, with which to pour out drink offerings, of pure gold.

CSB: He also made the utensils that would be on the table out of pure gold: its plates and cups, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

NLT: Then he made special containers of pure gold for the table — bowls, ladles, jars, and pitchers — to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: He made of pure gold the utensils which were on the table: its dishes, its cups, its bowls, and its pitchers for pouring.

Exodus 37:10–16 shows how Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) carefully follows the instructions recorded in Exodus 25:23–29. These are designs for a ceremonial table used in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). The table will hold loaves of consecrated bread (Exodus 25:30).

Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) follows God's instructions to make multiple items for the tabernacle. Most of these are described in Exodus 25. He constructs the ark, table, lampstand, and altar of incense. All of these will be kept inside the main tabernacle building. The text deliberately reproduces the phrasing of God's earlier command to stress Israel's exact obedience to His will.

Moses relays God's instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). The people respond generously (Exodus 35) and follow the Lord's directions exactly (Exodus 36). This pattern continues in chapter 37 as Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) completes designs mostly seen in chapter 25. Other items are depicted in chapter 30. The next two chapters (Exodus 38—39) are more of the same: describing the Israelites carrying out God's design as it was given.

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 11/4/2025 7:02:30 AM