1Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other. 4Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5He inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry it. 6He constructed a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7He made two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, 8one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. 9And the cherubim had wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the mercy seat. 10He also made the table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. 11He overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 12And he made a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13He cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners at its four legs. 14The rings were placed close to the rim, to serve as holders for the poles used to carry the table. 15He made the poles of acacia wood for carrying the table and overlaid them with gold. 16He also made the utensils for the table out of pure gold: its plates and dishes, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings. 17Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. 18Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. 19There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand. 20And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond blossoms with buds and petals. 21A bud was under the first pair of branches that extended from the lampstand, a bud under the second pair, and a bud under the third pair. 22The buds and branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. 23He also made its seven lamps, its wick trimmers, and trays of pure gold. 24He made the lampstand and all its utensils from a talent of pure gold. 25He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns were of one piece. 26And he overlaid with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns. Then he made a molding of gold around it. 27He made two gold rings below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it. 28And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 29He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle. - In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the alter represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.