251 passages · Kingdom
God asks the Israelites to give freewill offerings of metals, yarn, skins, wood, oil, spices and gems. These materials will build a sanctuary so that God may dwell among them, following a pattern he will show.
God gives dimensions for a gold-covered wooden ark with carrying poles, to hold the Testimony, and a gold mercy seat with two cherubim. God says he will meet and speak with Moses there.
God describes a gold-covered table with rings and poles, along with gold plates and bowls. The Bread of the Presence is to be kept on it before God at all times.
God details a lampstand of hammered gold with six branches, almond-blossom cups and seven lamps, made from one talent of gold. He reminds Moses to follow the pattern shown on the mountain.
God specifies ten linen curtains with cherubim, eleven goat-hair curtains for a tent over them, and outer coverings of red ram skins and fine leather. Clasps join them into one unit.
God gives the design for upright acacia frames set in silver bases, with crossbars held by gold rings, forming the south, north and west walls. Moses is told again to build it as shown on the mountain.
God describes a veil that will divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark sits, and where to place the table and lampstand. A curtain will also cover the tent entrance.
God gives dimensions for a square hollow altar of acacia wood covered in bronze, with horns on the corners, bronze utensils, a grate and carrying poles.
God describes a courtyard of linen curtains hung on posts with bronze bases and silver hooks, 100 by 50 cubits, with an embroidered gate curtain. All the tent pegs and utensils are to be bronze.
God tells the Israelites to supply pure olive oil so the lamps burn continually. Aaron and his sons will tend them from evening to morning as a lasting statute.
God commands two lambs to be offered daily, morning and twilight, with flour, oil and wine. He promises to meet the people there, consecrate the place by his glory and dwell among them as their God who brought them out of Egypt.
God describes a small gold-covered altar to be placed before the veil, where Aaron will burn incense every morning and twilight. No unauthorized offerings may be made on it, and once a year atonement is made on its horns.
Moses tells the people what the LORD commands: bring willing offerings of materials and let skilled craftsmen come make everything on the list, from the tabernacle to the priestly garments.
The craftsmen make the ten linen curtains with cherubim, the eleven goat-hair curtains, and the coverings of ram skins and leather. The description repeats the commands given earlier almost word for word.
The workers make the upright acacia frames, silver bases, crossbars and gold overlay, forming the walls of the tabernacle exactly as commanded.
The workers make the cherub-embroidered veil with its gold-covered posts and silver bases, and the entrance curtain with its five posts and bronze bases.
Bezalel makes the gold-covered ark with its rings and poles, and the gold mercy seat with two hammered cherubim spreading their wings over it.
Bezalel makes the gold-covered table with its rim, rings and poles, and its gold plates, dishes, bowls and pitchers.
Bezalel makes the lampstand of one piece of hammered gold with six branches, almond-blossom cups, seven lamps and its tools, using one talent of gold.
Bezalel makes the gold-covered incense altar with its rings and poles, and also the sacred anointing oil and pure incense.
Bezalel makes the bronze-covered altar of burnt offering with its horns, utensils, grate and poles. He also makes the bronze basin and stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the tent entrance.
The courtyard is made of linen curtains hung on posts with bronze bases and silver hooks, with an embroidered gate curtain, and bronze tent pegs.
The tabernacle's inventory was recorded by the Levites under Ithamar. Bezalel made everything the LORD commanded, with Oholiab as his assistant.
The passage records the amounts of gold, silver and bronze used, including silver from the half-shekel payment of 603,550 men. It says what the metals were used for, such as bases, hooks and the bronze altar.
The Israelites complete all the work and bring every part of the tabernacle and garments to Moses. He inspects it, sees it was done as the LORD commanded, and blesses them.
The LORD tells Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, place its furnishings, anoint everything, and wash, clothe and anoint Aaron and his sons as priests.
On the first day of the first month of the second year, Moses assembles the tabernacle, places the ark, table, lamps, altars and basin, and hangs the curtains. The text repeats that he did each thing as the LORD commanded.
A cloud covers the tent and the glory of the LORD fills it, so Moses cannot enter. The cloud's lifting or staying guides the Israelites' travels, and fire is in it by night.
The LORD calls to Moses from the Tent of Meeting and tells him to instruct the Israelites about bringing animal offerings from the herd or flock.
The Israelites are to be kept apart from their uncleanness so they do not die by defiling the LORD's dwelling among them. A summary then repeats the types of discharge these laws cover.