Exodus 38: Altar, Court, and Materials

Short answer: Exodus 38 records the construction of the altar of burnt offering, the bronze basin, and the court of the tabernacle, along with a summary of the materials used. It emphasizes obedience to Yahweh's commands and the participation of the whole congregation through their offerings.

What Exodus 38 says

The chapter opens with the making of the altar of burnt offering, described in verses 1 through 7. It was square, five cubits in length and width, and three cubits high, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. Its horns were of one piece with it, and all its vessels were bronze. A bronze grating was made for it, and rings were cast for the poles used to carry it. The altar was hollow with planks, and the poles were inserted into the rings on its sides. This altar was central for the sacrifices of Israel, and its construction follows the pattern given earlier to Moses.

Verses 8 through 20 describe the making of the bronze basin and the court of the tabernacle. The basin and its base were made from the mirrors of the ministering women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting. The court had hangings of fine twined linen on all sides: one hundred cubits on the south and north, fifty cubits on the west, and fifty cubits on the east, with the gate on the east side having a screen of embroidered work in blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. The pillars, sockets, hooks, and fillets are detailed, with bronze and silver used according to their function. All the pins of the tabernacle and court were of bronze.

Verses 21 through 23 introduce the accounting of the materials and name the craftsmen. The amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the Testimony, were counted according to Moses' command for the service of the Levites, under Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. Bezalel the son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Yahweh commanded Moses. With him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, skillful workman, and embroiderer in blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. These men were specially gifted and called to carry out the work.

Verses 24 through 31 provide the inventory of gold, silver, and bronze. The gold of the offering was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels. The silver from those counted in the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, collected as a half shekel per person from six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men twenty years old and upward. The silver was used for the sockets of the sanctuary and the veil. The bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels, used for the sockets of the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, its grating, all its vessels, the sockets around the court, the gate of the court, and all the pins.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits, and its height was three cubits.” (Exodus 38:1) — This verse begins the account of the altar of burnt offering, a central element of Israel's worship, showing that the instructions were carried out exactly as given.
• “He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.” (Exodus 38:8) — This verse reveals the source of the bronze for the basin: the mirrors of the ministering women, highlighting the participation of women in the tabernacle service.
• “These are the amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, even the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest.” (Exodus 38:21) — This verse marks a transition to the accounting of materials, emphasizing that the work was done under Moses' command and for the service of the Levites.
• “Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Yahweh commanded Moses.” (Exodus 38:22) — This verse names Bezalel as the chief craftsman who made all that Yahweh commanded Moses, underscoring obedience and divine gifting.

Gospel connection

The altar of burnt offering and the bronze basin point forward to the need for sacrifice and cleansing that is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The altar, where sacrifices were offered, foreshadows the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross, who bore the penalty for sin. The basin, used for washing, symbolizes the cleansing from sin that comes through faith in him. The detailed obedience in constructing the tabernacle reflects the seriousness of approaching a holy God, and the materials given by the people show that worship involves costly devotion. Ultimately, the tabernacle itself is a shadow of the true dwelling of God with humanity in Christ, who is the true Tabernacle and the mediator of a better covenant.

Application

This chapter calls readers to consider how they contribute to the work of God's kingdom. The Israelites gave generously of their resources, and the craftsmen used their skills obediently. We are not building a physical tabernacle, but we are called to offer our time, talents, and treasures for the Lord's service. The attention to detail reminds us that God cares about how we worship and serve, not just that we do it. The inclusion of women and the naming of specific craftsmen show that every role matters in God's work. We should examine our own hearts: are we willing to give sacrificially, to serve faithfully with the gifts God has given, and to follow his instructions rather than our own preferences?

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that the tabernacle was built exactly as described in every minute detail beyond what is recorded, nor does it specify the exact location of the construction. It does not mention the fate of the mirrors after they were used, nor does it give the names of the ministering women. It does not explain how the materials were collected or how long the work took. It also does not state that the tabernacle was completed in this chapter, only that these items were made. The text is silent on the spiritual condition of the craftsmen or the people beyond their obedience in giving and making. It does not claim that the tabernacle itself was a permanent dwelling or that the rituals performed there were effective apart from faith.

Questions for study

1. What does the construction of the altar of burnt offering teach us about the centrality of sacrifice in approaching God?
2. Why do you think the bronze basin was made from the mirrors of the ministering women, and what does this say about their role?
3. How does the detailed accounting of materials in verses 24-31 reflect the importance of stewardship and transparency in God's work?
4. What can we learn from the obedience of Bezalel and Oholiab in carrying out all that Yahweh commanded Moses?
5. In what ways does the tabernacle court, with its boundaries and gate, symbolize both separation from sin and access to God?

Keep reading

Related studies: Exodus 1 Bible Study, Exodus 10 Bible Study, Exodus 11 Bible Study, Exodus 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What was the altar of burnt offering used for?

It was the place where sacrifices were offered to Yahweh, including burnt offerings and other sacrifices prescribed in the law.

Who were the ministering women mentioned in verse 8?

They were women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting and donated their bronze mirrors for the making of the basin and its base.

How much gold, silver, and bronze were used in the tabernacle?

The gold was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels, the silver was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, and the bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels.