361 "Now Bezalel and Oholiab , and every skillful e person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary , shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded ."
2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful e person in whom the Lord had put skill , everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. 3 They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary . And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning . 4 And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came , each from the work which he was performing , 5 and they said to Moses , " The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform ." 6 So Moses issued a command , and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp , saying , "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary ." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. 7 For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work , to perform it.
8 All the skillful e men e among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains ; of fine twisted linen and blue and purple and scarlet material, with cherubim , the work of a skillful workman , Bezalel made them. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight e cubits and the width of each curtain four cubits ; all the curtains had the same measurements . 10 He joined five curtains to one another and the other five curtains he joined to one another . 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set ; he did likewise on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set . 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was in the second set ; the loops were opposite each other . 13 He made fifty clasps of gold and joined the curtains to one another with the clasps , so the tabernacle was a unit .
14 Then he made curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle ; he made eleven e curtains in all. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits and four cubits the width of each curtain ; the eleven e curtains had the same measurements . 16 He joined five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves . 17 Moreover, he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the first set , and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set . 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to join the tent together so that it would be a unit . 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red , and a covering of porpoise skins above e . 20 Then he made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood , standing upright . 21 Ten cubits was the length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board . 22 There were two tenons for each board , fitted to one another ; thus he did for all the boards of the tabernacle .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 36:1-22
Chapter Contents
The making of the tabernacle The liberality of the people restrained.
The readiness and zeal with which these builders set about their work, the exactness with which they performed it, and the faithfulness with which they objected to receive more contributions, are worthy of our imitation. Thus should we serve God, and our superiors also, in all things lawful. Thus should all who are in public trusts abhor filthy lucre, and avoid all occasions and temptations to covetousness. Where have we the representation of God's love towards us, that we by love dwell in him and he in us, save in Emmanuel? John 1:14, wherein, as the original expresses it, he did tabernacle among us.