Focused Passage

Exodus 38:21-31

The Altar, Basin, Courtyard, and Inventory of Tabernacle Materials

The chapter moves from the construction of the bronze altar of burnt offering, to the making of its utensils, grating, rings, and poles, to the making of the bronze basin from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting, to the construction of the courtyard curtains, posts, bases, hooks, bands, and entrance curtain, and finally to the inventory of gold, silver, and bronze used in the tabernacle work under the supervision of Ithamar, Bezalel, and Oholiab.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

21This is the inventory for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, as recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

22Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything that the LORD had commanded Moses.

23With him was Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, designer, and embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

24All the gold from the wave offering used for the work on the sanctuary totaled 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

25The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel—

26a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men.

27The hundred talents of silver were used to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent per base.

28With the 1,775 shekels of silver he made the hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and supplied bands for them.

29The bronze from the wave offering totaled 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.

30He used it to make the bases for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar and its bronze grating, all the utensils for the altar,

31the bases for the surrounding courtyard and its gate, and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and its surrounding courtyard.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 21

Original words

Thisאֵ֣לֶּהH428Pronoun - common pluralis the inventoryפְקוּדֵ֤יH6485Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural constructfor the tabernacleהַמִּשְׁכָּן֙H4908Article | Noun - masculine singularthe tabernacleמִשְׁכַּ֣ןH4908Noun - masculine singular constructof the Testimonyהָעֵדֻ֔תH5715Article | Noun - feminine singularasאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativerecordedפֻּקַּ֖דH6485Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person masculine singularatעַל־H5921PrepositionMoses’מֹשֶׁ֑הH4872Noun - proper - masculine singularcommandפִּ֣יH6310Noun - masculine singular constructbyעֲבֹדַת֙H5656Noun - feminine singular constructthe Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֔םH3881Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralunder the directionבְּיַד֙H3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructof Ithamarאִֽיתָמָ֔רH385Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּֽן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Aaronאַהֲרֹ֖ןH175Noun - proper - masculine singularthe priestהַכֹּהֵֽן׃H3548Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 22

Original words

Bezalelוּבְצַלְאֵ֛לH1212Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Uriאוּרִ֥יH221Noun - proper - masculine singularthe sonבֶן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Hurח֖וּרH2354Noun - proper - masculine singularof the tribeלְמַטֵּ֣הH4294Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructof Judahיְהוּדָ֑הH3063Noun - proper - masculine singularmadeעָשָׂ֕הH6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular-אֵ֛תH853Direct object markereverythingכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthatאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativethe LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhad commandedצִוָּ֥הH6680Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularMosesמֹשֶֽׁה׃H4872Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 23

Original words

With him [was]וְאִתּ֗וֹH854Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singularOholiabאָהֳלִיאָ֞בH171Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Ahisamachאֲחִיסָמָ֛ךְH294Noun - proper - masculine singularof the tribeלְמַטֵּה־H4294Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructof Danדָ֖ןH1835Noun - proper - masculine singularan engraverחָרָ֣שׁH2796Noun - masculine singulardesignerוְחֹשֵׁ֑בH2803Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularand embroidererוְרֹקֵ֗םH7551Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularin blueבַּתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙H8504Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singularpurpleוּבָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ןH713Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularand scarlet yarnוּבְתוֹלַ֥עַתH8438Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct. . .הַשָּׁנִ֖יH8144Article | Noun - masculine singularand fine linenוּבַשֵּֽׁשׁ׃סH8336Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 24

Original words

Allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe goldהַזָּהָ֗בH2091Article | Noun - masculine singularfrom the wave offeringהַתְּנוּפָ֗הH8573Article | Noun - feminine singularusedהֶֽעָשׂוּי֙H6213Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularfor the workלַמְּלָאכָ֔הH4399Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular. . .בְּכֹ֖לH3605Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .מְלֶ֣אכֶתH4399Noun - feminine singular constructon the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֑דֶשׁH6944Article | Noun - masculine singulartotaledוַיְהִ֣י׀H1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .זְהַ֣בH2091Noun - masculine singular construct29תֵּ֤שַׁעH8672Number - feminine singular. . .וְעֶשְׂרִים֙H6242Conjunctive waw | Number - common pluraltalentsכִּכָּ֔רH3603Noun - feminine singularand 730וּשְׁבַ֨עH7651Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .מֵא֧וֹתH3967Number - feminine plural construct. . .וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛יםH7970Conjunctive waw | Number - common pluralshekelsשֶׁ֖קֶלH8255Noun - masculine singularaccording to the sanctuaryהַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃H6944Article | Noun - masculine singularshekelבְּשֶׁ֥קֶלH8255Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

BSB notes

  • The total weight of the gold was approximately 1.1 tons or 1 metric ton.
Verse 25

Original words

The silverוְכֶ֛סֶףH3701Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructfrom those numberedפְּקוּדֵ֥יH6485Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural constructamong the congregationהָעֵדָ֖הH5712Article | Noun - feminine singulartotaled 100מְאַ֣תH3967Number - feminine singular constructtalentsכִּכָּ֑רH3603Noun - feminine singularand 1,775וְאֶלֶף֩H505Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular. . .וּשְׁבַ֨עH7651Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .מֵא֜וֹתH3967Number - feminine plural. . .וַחֲמִשָּׁ֧הH2568Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular. . .וְשִׁבְעִ֛יםH7657Conjunctive waw | Number - common pluralshekelsשֶׁ֖קֶלH8255Noun - masculine singularaccording to the sanctuaryהַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃H6944Article | Noun - masculine singularshekelבְּשֶׁ֥קֶלH8255Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

BSB notes

  • The total weight of the silver was approximately 3.79 tons or 3.44 metric tons.
Verse 26

Original words

a bekaבֶּ֚קַעH1235Noun - masculine singularper personלַגֻּלְגֹּ֔לֶתH1538Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular[that is], halfמַחֲצִ֥יתH4276Noun - feminine singular constructa shekelהַשֶּׁ֖קֶלH8255Article | Noun - masculine singularaccording to the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֑דֶשׁH6944Article | Noun - masculine singularshekelבְּשֶׁ֣קֶלH8255Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructfrom everyoneלְכֹ֨לH3605Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singulartwentyעֶשְׂרִ֤יםH6242Number - common pluralyearsשָׁנָה֙H8141Noun - feminine singularof ageמִבֶּ֨ןH1121Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructor olderוָמַ֔עְלָהH4605Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singularwho had crossed overהָעֹבֵ֜רH5674Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singulartoעַל־H5921Prepositionbe numberedהַפְּקֻדִ֗יםH6485Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plurala total of 603,550לְשֵׁשׁ־H8337Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular construct. . .מֵא֥וֹתH3967Number - feminine plural construct. . .אֶ֙לֶף֙H505Number - masculine singular. . .וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁתH7969Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct. . .אֲלָפִ֔יםH505Number - masculine plural. . .וַחֲמֵ֥שׁH2568Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .מֵא֖וֹתH3967Number - feminine pluralmenוַחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃H2572Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural

BSB notes

  • A beka is half a shekel, or approximately 0.2 ounces or 5.7 grams.
Verse 27

Original words

The hundredמְאַת֙H3967Number - feminine singular constructtalentsכִּכַּ֣רH3603Noun - feminine singular constructof silverהַכֶּ֔סֶףH3701Article | Noun - masculine singularwereוַיְהִ֗יH1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularused to castלָצֶ֗קֶתH3332Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct-אֵ֚תH853Direct object markerthe basesאַדְנֵ֣יH134Noun - masculine plural constructof the sanctuaryהַקֹּ֔דֶשׁH6944Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֵ֖תH853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand the basesאַדְנֵ֣יH134Noun - masculine plural constructof the veilהַפָּרֹ֑כֶתH6532Article | Noun - feminine singular100מְאַ֧תH3967Number - feminine singular constructbasesאֲדָנִ֛יםH134Noun - masculine pluralfrom the 100לִמְאַ֥תH3967Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular constructtalentsהַכִּכָּ֖רH3603Article | Noun - feminine singularone talentכִּכָּ֥רH3603Noun - feminine singularper baseלָאָֽדֶן׃H134Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • 100 talents is approximately 3.77 tons or 3.42 metric tons of silver.
Verse 28

Original words

-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerWith the 1,775 [shekels]הָאֶ֜לֶףH505Article | Number - masculine singular. . .וּשְׁבַ֤עH7651Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct. . .הַמֵּאוֹת֙H3967Article | Number - feminine plural. . .וַחֲמִשָּׁ֣הH2568Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular. . .וְשִׁבְעִ֔יםH7657Conjunctive waw | Number - common pluralhe madeעָשָׂ֥הH6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularthe hooksוָוִ֖יםH2053Noun - masculine pluralfor the postsלָעַמּוּדִ֑יםH5982Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine pluraloverlaidוְצִפָּ֥הH6823Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singulartheir topsרָאשֵׁיהֶ֖םH7218Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluraland supplied bandsוְחִשַּׁ֥קH2836Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfor themאֹתָֽם׃H853Direct object marker | third person masculine plural

BSB notes

  • 1,775 shekels is approximately 44.6 pounds or 20.2 kilograms of silver.
Verse 29

Original words

The bronzeוּנְחֹ֥שֶׁתH5178Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular constructfrom the wave offeringהַתְּנוּפָ֖הH8573Article | Noun - feminine singulartotaled 70שִׁבְעִ֣יםH7657Number - common pluraltalentsכִּכָּ֑רH3603Noun - feminine singularand 2,400וְאַלְפַּ֥יִםH505Conjunctive waw | Number - mdוְאַרְבַּע־וְאַרְבַּע־H702Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular constructמֵא֖וֹתמֵא֖וֹתH3967Number - feminine pluralshekelsשָֽׁקֶל׃H8255Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • The total weight of the bronze was approximately 2.67 tons or 2.42 metric tons.
Verse 30

Original words

He used it to makeוַיַּ֣עַשׂH6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe basesאַדְנֵי֙H134Noun - masculine plural constructfor the entranceפֶּ֚תַחH6607Noun - masculine singular constructto the Tentאֹ֣הֶלH168Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵ֔דH4150Noun - masculine singular-וְאֵת֙H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe bronzeהַנְּחֹ֔שֶׁתH5178Article | Noun - feminine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markeraltarמִזְבַּ֣חH4196Noun - masculine singular constructand its bronzeהַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁתH5178Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relative-וְאֵ֖תH853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markergratingמִכְבַּ֥רH4345Noun - masculine singular constructallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe utensilsכְּלֵ֥יH3627Noun - masculine plural constructfor the altarהַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃H4196Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 31

Original words

-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe basesאַדְנֵ֤יH134Noun - masculine plural constructfor the surroundingסָבִ֔יבH5439Adverb-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markercourtyardהֶֽחָצֵר֙H2691Article | Noun - common singular[and]אַדְנֵ֖יH134Noun - masculine plural constructits gateשַׁ֣עַרH8179Noun - masculine singular construct. . .הֶחָצֵ֑רH2691Article | Noun - common singularandוְאֵ֨תH853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe tent pegsיִתְדֹ֧תH3489Noun - feminine plural constructfor the tabernacleהַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ןH4908Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerandכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular construct-יִתְדֹ֥תH3489Noun - feminine plural constructits surroundingסָבִֽיב׃H5439Adverbcourtyardהֶחָצֵ֖רH2691Article | Noun - common singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.