Exodus 36: The Tabernacle Is Constructed

Exodus 36: The Tabernacle Is Constructed

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36 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”

2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

8 And all the craftsmen among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains. They were made of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns, with cherubim skillfully worked. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains were the same size.

10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain of the first set. Likewise he made them on the edge of the outermost curtain of the second set. 12 He made fifty loops on the one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set. The loops were opposite one another. 13 And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole.

14 He also made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. He made eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains were the same size. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 And he made fifty loops on the edge of the outermost curtain of the one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the other connecting curtain. 18 And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole. 19 And he made for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and goatskins.

20 Then he made the upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. 22 Each frame had two tenons for fitting together. He did this for all the frames of the tabernacle. 23 The frames for the tabernacle he made thus: twenty frames for the south side. 24 And he made forty bases of silver under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty frames 26 and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame and two bases under the next frame. 27 For the rear of the tabernacle westward he made six frames. 28 He made two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear. 29 And they were separate beneath but joined at the top, at the first ring. He made two of them this way for the two corners. 30 There were eight frames with their bases of silver: sixteen bases, under every frame two bases.

31 He made bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the tabernacle at the rear westward. 33 And he made the middle bar to run from end to end halfway up the frames. 34 And he overlaid the frames with gold, and made their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. 36 And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver. 37 He also made a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework, 38 and its five pillars with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals, and their fillets were of gold, but their five bases were of bronze.

Chapter Analysis

Exodus 36: The Construction of the Tabernacle Began

Overview

Exodus 36 records the beginning of the actual construction of the tabernacle. God empowered Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen to carry out the work exactly as He had commanded Moses.

The people continued bringing offerings so generously that Moses had to instruct them to stop because more than enough materials had been received. The craftsmen then constructed the curtains, coverings, framework, and structural elements of the tabernacle according to God's design.

This chapter demonstrates Israel's obedience after their earlier failure with the golden calf. The people willingly gave, and the craftsmen faithfully followed God's instructions in every detail.


I. Verses 1–7: The People Gave More Than Enough

Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled craftsmen began the work the Lord had assigned them.

God had filled them with wisdom, understanding, and skill to complete every part of the tabernacle.

The people continued bringing freewill offerings every morning.

Eventually, the craftsmen informed Moses that the people had contributed far more than was needed.

Moses proclaimed throughout the camp that no additional offerings should be brought.

The people stopped giving because:

"The material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed, too much."

Their generosity reflected grateful hearts devoted to the Lord.


II. Verses 8–19: The Curtains and Coverings Were Made

The skilled craftsmen made the tabernacle curtains from fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Cherubim were skillfully embroidered into the fabric.

The curtains were joined together with gold clasps.

Additional coverings were made from:

  • Goat's hair.
  • Ram skins dyed red.
  • Durable leather.

These coverings protected the tabernacle while displaying beauty within God's dwelling place.

Every measurement followed the pattern God had revealed to Moses.


III. Verses 20–30: The Framework Was Constructed

The craftsmen built the upright frames from acacia wood.

Each frame was overlaid with gold.

The frames rested in silver sockets that formed a solid foundation.

Everything fit together precisely according to God's instructions.

The structure provided strength and stability for the tabernacle.


IV. Versues 31–34: The Crossbars Were Made

The craftsmen made bars of acacia wood to hold the frames together.

Five bars supported each side of the tabernacle.

The central bar extended from one end to the other.

The frames and bars were overlaid with gold.

Gold rings held the bars securely in place.

These details gave the tabernacle both beauty and structural unity.


V. Verses 35–38: The Veil and Entrance Curtain Were Made

The craftsmen made the inner veil from fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

Cherubim were embroidered upon it.

The veil was hung on four gold-covered pillars with silver sockets.

They also made the entrance curtain for the tabernacle.

It was beautifully embroidered and supported by five pillars overlaid with gold.

The completed curtains separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place according to God's design.


Major Lessons in Exodus 36

God's People Should Give Generously

The Israelites gave so willingly that there was more than enough to complete God's work. Grateful hearts overflow in generosity.

God Equips Those Who Serve Him

The craftsmen possessed wisdom and skill because God had given them those abilities.

Obedience Requires Careful Attention

The tabernacle was built exactly as God had commanded. Faithful obedience pays careful attention to God's instructions.

God's Work Is Accomplished Together

The construction required leaders, craftsmen, and generous contributors. Every member of the community had a part to play.

God Deserves Our Best

The finest materials, skilled workmanship, and careful craftsmanship reflected the honor due to the Lord.


Overall Summary

Exodus 36 records the beginning of the tabernacle's construction. The people gave such generous offerings that Moses had to tell them to stop because there was more than enough material for the work. Under God's direction, Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled craftsmen faithfully constructed the curtains, coverings, framework, bars, veil, and entrance exactly according to God's instructions. The chapter highlights joyful generosity, faithful obedience, and the use of God-given abilities to accomplish His work and prepare a dwelling place for His presence among His people.