Exodus 38 - Printer Friendly

What does Exodus 38 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

God gave Moses instructions (Exodus 25—31) to build a sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). Israel has been following those directions closely, under the supervision of Bezalel (Exodus 35:30). Prior chapters (Exodus 35—37) covered many components needed for the tabernacle. This chapter emphasizes those pieces seen outside the tabernacle itself.

Outside the tabernacle, just inside the entrance to the courtyard (Exodus 40:29), is a bronze-covered altar. This is where Israel will perform sacrifices. The altar is made to the exact dimensions given to Moses on Sinai (Exodus 27:1–8). Placing the altar first symbolizes that communion with a holy God requires an atoning sacrifice (Exodus 38:1–7).

The courtyard also contains a bronze washbasin, between the altar and the entrance to the tabernacle. This indicates that after atonement comes sanctification and cleansing. Most of this extended section repeats God's prior instructions in detail (Exodus 30:17–21). In this case, Scripture simply says that Bezalel crafted the basin. It also implies that the metal for this basin came from mirrors donated by women who served in some capacity. The only other mention of women ministering at the entrance of the tent of meeting occurs centuries later, when the prophet Samuel's corrupt sons (1 Samuel 2:22) were having sex with some of them (Exodus 38:8)

Israel forms the parts to create a courtyard for the tabernacle, just as God commanded (Exodus 25:8–9). The courtyard is defined by a series of hanging sheets. As with most of this part of the book, the details are copied nearly word-for-word from the Lord's earlier instructions (Exodus 38:9–20).

The end of this chapter includes a note that Moses assigned Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons, to make records about the tabernacle construction. Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) and Oholiab (Exodus 35:34) oversee a larger workforce which makes the various components (Exodus 36:2). These required great skill and likely intense effort (Exodus 38:21–23).

It seems Ithamar was also tasked with tracking the amount of metal donated for the tabernacle. Scripture lists the totals as 29 talents plus 730 shekels of gold, 100 talents plus 1,775 shekels of silver, and 70 talents plus 2,400 shekels of bronze. Each talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. Each talent was 3,000 shekels, with each shekel weighing about 2/5ths of an ounce, or close to 11.4 grams. That would add up to almost 2,200 pounds, or almost 1,000 kilograms of gold, as well as 7,500 pounds, or 3,400 kilograms of silver, and 5,300 pounds, or 2,400 kilograms of bronze. Each was used for its respective part of the sanctuary (Exodus 38:24–31).

Exodus 38:1–7 refers to Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) following God's design for an altar of burnt sacrifice. This closely repeats the instructions of Exodus 27:1–8. The altar will stand in the tabernacle courtyard (Exodus 27:9). The Lord gave these instructions to Moses (Exodus 25—31), who passes them along to the Israelites. The same pattern is followed for a basin used in ceremonial washing (Exodus 30:17–21), though the details are not repeated here.

Exodus 38:9–20 duplicates the instructions given in Exodus 27:9–19. Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) carefully follows the Lord's designs to make a courtyard for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This is a large open area creating space around the tabernacle itself. In the courtyard are a sacrificial altar (Exodus 27:1) and a washbasin (Exodus 30:18).

Exodus 38:21–31 pauses the account of how Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) and Oholiab (Exodus 35:34) exactly followed the Lord's original designs for the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31). Scripture records the enormous volume of metals collected (Exodus 35:20–29). All told, the people donate several tons of gold, silver, and bronze.

Chapter Summary:

God's assigned manager, Bezalel, oversees construction of more items for the Lord's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This chapter focuses on the components seen in the tabernacle courtyard, including the sacrificial altar and a washbasin. Scripture also records the quantity of metal donated to tabernacle construction. The total is several tons of silver, gold, and bronze.

Chapter Context:

Under the supervision of Bezalel (Exodus 35:30), Israel has followed God's exact plans for constructing the sanctuary. The Lord gave designs to Moses (Exodus 25—31). Most of the text in this long section is a near-duplication of those same words (Exodus 35—37). This emphasizes the care which Israel used to obey the Lord in this project. Final items are made in the next chapter (Exodus 39) before being assembled into the finished sanctuary (Exodus 40).

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 10/15/2025 2:41:10 AM