Exodus 37 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bezaleel made. — Aholiab had no part in the construction of the furniture of the Tabernacle, but only in the coverings, the veil, the curtains, and the priests’ dresses. (See Exodus 38:23.)

XXXVII.

(1-24) This passage corresponds with Exodus 37:10-29 of Exodus 25, and contains an account of the construction of the holy furniture: (1) That of the Holy of Holies: viz., the ark (Exodus 37:1-5), the mercyseat (Exodus 37:6-9); (2) that of the Holy Place, viz., the table of shewbread (Exodus 37:10-16) and the golden candlestick (Exodus 37:17-24).

Exodus 37:1-5 correspond to Exodus 25:10-14 of Exodus 25

Exodus 37:6-9 correspond to Exodus 25:17-20 of Exodus 25

Exodus 37:10-16 correspond to Exodus 25:23-29 of Exodus 25

Exodus 37:17-24 correspond to Exodus 25:31-39 of Exodus 25

Beaten out of one piece. — Rather, of beaten work, as the word is translated in Exodus 26:18.

Which were upon the table. — Or, which belonged to the table (τὰ σκένη τῆς τραπέζης. — LXX.).

Another branch. — A right translation — an improvement on “the other branch” of Exodus 25:33. The meaning is that there was the same style of ornamentation in all the branches.

(25-28) And he made... — The order of the instructions given on Mount Sinai is here departed from. In them the directions for the altar of incense were separated off from those concerning the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick. Here the construction of the three pieces of furniture belonging to the Holy Place is given consecutively. The present passage corresponds with Exodus 37:1-5 of Exodus 30, with which it is in the closest agreement.

In this verse we have the composition by Bezaleel of the holy oil and the incense, described in Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 30:34-35, related with the utmost brevity.