What does Exodus 37 mean?
Chapter Commentary:
Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) and Oholiab (Exodus 35:34) are supervising construction of tabernacle components (Exodus 35—36). Great emphasis is placed on repeating God's exact instructions (Exodus 25—31) as they are being followed. This chapter primarily describes the four items kept inside the main tabernacle building.
The ark (Exodus 25:10–22) is a large golden chest with an ornate lid. The lid features two cherubim reaching their wings over the ark. This is the most sacred object in Israel's faith. It will contain a jar of manna and Aaron's staff (Exodus 16:33; Numbers 17:10; Hebrews 9:4). But its most important cargo are the stone tablets recording God's basic covenant with Israel (Exodus 24:12; 25:16). This will be kept in the innermost room (Exodus 26:34) of the tabernacle (Exodus 37:1–9).
In the first room of the tabernacle is a ceremonial table (Exodus 25:23–29). This holds sacred bread which is eaten and replaced by the priests every week (Exodus 25:30). This will be placed on the northern wall (Exodus 26:35; 40:22) of the tabernacle's first room (Exodus 37:10–16).
On the southern wall of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:35) is a solid gold menorāh, or candelabra. This has branches around a central trunk, creating holders for seven lights. Bezalel accurately follows the Lord's directions (Exodus 25:31–39) to create this item. Priests will be responsible to maintain the lights of this fixture (Exodus 37:17–24).
The final item kept inside the tabernacle, but outside the veil obscuring the ark (Exodus 30:6), is an altar for incense (Exodus 30:1–10). Here, again, Bezalel closely adheres to God's specific design (Exodus 37:25–28).
The final verse of this chapter is one of the few exceptions to the book of Exodus and repetition of detail. Exodus 30:22–38 described the ingredients for anointing oil and sacred incense. The anointing oil has a detailed set of proportions for each ingredient. Ceremonial incense is made of equal parts of various resins, with an unspecified amount of salt. The passage in this chapter simply notes that Bezalel oversaw the perfumer making them as required (Exodus 37:29).
The next two chapters describe construction of the tabernacle courtyard, washbasin, sacrificial altar, and clerical uniforms (Exodus 38—39). The final chapter explains that these components were assembled as God instructed. This results in God's glory coming down in the form of a cloud (Exodus 40).
Verse Context:
Exodus 37:1–9 explains that Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) exactly followed the Lord's designs for the ark. The ark is a large golden chest meant to hold stone tablets. The tablets record the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:16). Bezalel's work here directly mirrors the instructions recorded in Exodus 25:10–22.
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).
Exodus 37:17–24 is a point-by-point repeat of the designs given in Exodus 25:31–39. Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) crafts an ornate lampstand with seven lights. This will be kept in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9) along with a sacred table (Exodus 25:23) and an incense altar (Exodus 30:1).
Exodus 37:25–29 record that Israel closely followed God's designs for a sacred incense altar. The description of the altar exactly follows the instructions in Exodus 30:1–10. Unlike the other tabernacle parts, this section does not duplicate earlier instructions about how to compound incense and anointing oil (Exodus 30:22–38). It merely notes that Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) makes them.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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 9/18/2025 4:04:13 PM
© Copyright 2002-2025 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
