Exodus 38:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.

NIV: They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

NASB: Moreover, he made the basin of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

CSB: He made the bronze basin and its stand from the bronze mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

NLT: Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

KJV: And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

NKJV: He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

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.

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.

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 10/29/2025 9:30:52 PM