What does Exodus 38:29 mean?
ESV: The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels;
NIV: The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.
NASB: And the bronze of the wave offering was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels.
CSB: The bronze of the presentation offering totaled 5,310 pounds.
NLT: The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze,
KJV: And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.
NKJV: The offering of bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
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).
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.
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