Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Exodus
Chapter 37: The Ark and the Golden Furniture
With the tent and its coverings made, Bezaleel turns to the sacred furniture that would fill the holy place and the most holy. First and most sacred, he makes the ark of shittim wood overlaid with gold, and upon it the mercy seat of pure gold with two cherubims gazing down, the very place where God promised to meet His people. Then the table of pure gold for the bread of the presence, the golden candlestick beaten out of one piece to give light in the holy place, and the altar of incense to send up a perpetual fragrance before the LORD, with the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices. Every object was gold, every object was a shadow. Exodus 37 is a chapter of golden things that all point to Christ: the mercy seat where God meets man, the bread of His presence, the light of the world, and the sweet incense of prayer rising to the throne.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Exodus chapter 37. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Chapter 37 records the making of the ark and mercy seat, the table of shewbread, the golden candlestick, and the altar of incense. Each golden object is a shadow of Christ and the life of worship: the mercy seat of propitiation, the bread of His presence, the light of the world, and prayer as sweet incense. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
The Mercy Seat
The ark and its golden mercy seat, where God met His people over the law, through the sprinkled blood.
Bread of Presence
The table of pure gold that held the bread set continually before the face of God.
Light in the Holy Place
The golden candlestick, beaten of one piece, whose seven lamps gave the only light within.
A Sweet Fragrance
The altar of incense before the vail, sending up a perpetual, fragrant cloud toward the presence of God.
The Mercy Seat and the Cherubims (Exodus 37:1-9)
Bezaleel makes the ark and covers it with the mercy seat of pure gold, and two golden cherubims bend over it, their faces turned toward the place where God would meet His people.
Their Faces to the Mercy Seatward
"And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims."
Explanation
The most sacred object of the tabernacle is made first. Bezaleel builds the ark of shittim wood, overlays it "with pure gold within and without," and rings it with a crown of gold. Inside would go the tables of the law. Then he makes "the mercy seat of pure gold," the golden lid that covered the ark, and out of the same piece of gold he beats "two cherubims" at its two ends. The cherubims "spread out their wings on high," overshadowing the mercy seat, "with their faces one to another," bent down as if gazing at the place between them. It was here, God had said, that He would meet with His people and commune with them "from between the two cherubims." The law lay inside the ark, broken by Israel; but over it lay the mercy seat, and on that seat, once a year, the high priest sprinkled the blood of atonement. Justice was underneath; mercy covered it; and there God came down to dwell.
Hebrew Study
"Mercy seat" is the Hebrew kapporeth, from the verb kaphar, meaning to cover, to wipe away, to make atonement. It was more than a lid; it was the place of covering, where sin was covered by blood and put out of sight. The same root gives us Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The kapporeth declared that a holy God and a sinful people could meet only where sin was covered, only at a blood-sprinkled seat of mercy laid over the broken law.
Gospel Focus
The mercy seat is one of the clearest pictures of Christ in all of Scripture. Beneath it lay the law that Israel had broken; over it was sprinkled the blood; and there, and only there, God met man. This is the gospel in gold. When the New Testament speaks of Christ, it uses this very image: God "hath set forth" Jesus "to be a propitiation through faith in his blood" (Romans 3:25). The word translated propitiation is the same word the Greek Old Testament used for the mercy seat. Jesus is our mercy seat, the place where the broken law is covered and where God and the sinner meet in peace. Justice is not ignored; it is satisfied by the blood. And notice the cherubims, bending down with their faces fixed upon the mercy seat, as if heaven itself could not look away from the place of atonement. So the angels "desire to look into" the things of our salvation (1 Peter 1:12). At the cross, God did not set the law aside; He honored it, covered it in blood, and met us in mercy. Come to the mercy seat, for the blood of Jesus has been sprinkled there, and God waits to commune with you over it.
The Table of Pure Gold (Exodus 37:10-16)
Bezaleel makes the table that would hold the bread of the presence, set continually before the face of God in the holy place.
The Table for the Bread
"And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about. Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about. And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof. Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table. And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold."
Hebrew Study
Bezaleel makes the table of pure gold with its crown and rings, to bear the bread of the Presence. Twelve loaves would lie on it continually before the LORD — one for each tribe — the shewbread that means, literally, "bread of the face." It is a standing table of fellowship: God's people kept perpetually before God's face, welcomed as at a host's own table.
Explanation
Next Bezaleel makes the table of shittim wood, overlaid with pure gold and crowned with a golden border, fitted with rings and staves to be carried. He makes its vessels of pure gold: "his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers." This table stood in the holy place, and on it were set twelve loaves, the shewbread, or literally the "bread of the presence," renewed every sabbath and set continually before the LORD. The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, kept always before the face of God, and the bread spoke of fellowship, of a people welcomed to the table of their God. In a world of scarcity, God's house had a table always spread, bread always present, a standing invitation to communion in His presence.
Gospel Focus
The table of the bread of the presence speaks of fellowship with God through Christ. The twelve loaves, one for each tribe, kept God's people continually before His face, a picture of how we are never out of His mind, ever set before Him. And the bread itself points to the Lord Jesus, who said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger" (John 6:35). He is the bread of the presence, the one who feeds us and brings us to the table of God. Where the world offers a bare table, the house of God offers bread that never fails. The Christian life is not merely forgiveness at the mercy seat but fellowship at the table, a continual communion with God, feeding on Christ, kept always before His face. He has spread a table for us, and set our names upon it as surely as the twelve loaves bore the names of the tribes. Do not live as a stranger to the table God has spread; come and eat, for the bread of His presence is Christ Himself.
The Candlestick of Pure Gold (Exodus 37:17-24)
Bezaleel beats the golden candlestick out of one piece, with its shaft and branches, bowls and flowers, and seven lamps to give light in the holy place.
Of Beaten Work, Pure Gold
"And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it. Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof."
Hebrew Study
The candlestick is beaten from a single talent of pure gold, "of one beaten work," with its seven lamps, bowls, and almond blossoms — the one light of the Holy Place, faithfully wrought to the pattern. Every knop and flower matches what God showed in the mount; the craftsman's glory is not originality but exact, loving obedience to the design of God.
Explanation
The candlestick, or lampstand, was made "of pure gold," and it was "beaten work," hammered out of a single talent of gold rather than cast in a mold or joined from parts. From its central shaft went out six branches, three on each side, each adorned with bowls shaped like almonds, with knops and flowers, and it held seven lamps. This candlestick was the only source of light in the holy place, which had no window. The priests ministered before God by its golden light alone. It was not merely decorative; it was necessary. Without it, the holy place was dark. Fed with pure olive oil and tended so that its lamps burned continually, the golden candlestick filled the dwelling of God with a steady, living light.
Gospel Focus
The golden candlestick is a rich picture of Christ and His people. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). In the holy place there was no natural light; the only light was the golden lampstand, just as in this dark world our only true light is Christ. Notice that the candlestick was "beaten work," hammered out of one piece; Christ, too, was beaten and bruised to become our light, "smitten of God, and afflicted." And the light was carried by oil, which throughout Scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit; the light of God shines in us as we are filled with His Spirit. In the book of Revelation the lampstands become the churches, for the people of God are called to shine His light in the darkness: "Ye are the light of the world." We do not generate the light; like the lamps, we only hold and carry it, burning with oil not our own. Let the beaten gold and the pure oil remind you: shine with the light of Christ, kept burning by the Spirit, in a world with no light of its own.
The Altar of Incense (Exodus 37:25-29)
Bezaleel makes the golden altar of incense to stand before the vail, and the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices.
The Golden Altar of Incense
"And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about. And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal. And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary."
Explanation
Last, Bezaleel makes the altar of incense, overlaid with pure gold, with a crown of gold and horns of one piece with it, and rings and staves to carry it. This small golden altar stood in the holy place, directly before the vail that hid the ark, closer to the presence of God than any other altar. On it no sacrifice of flesh was offered; instead, sweet incense was burned upon it morning and evening, sending up a fragrant cloud toward the most holy place. Bezaleel also makes "the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary," blended by careful skill for God's exclusive use. The rising smoke of the incense, perpetual and fragrant, filled the dwelling of God with a sweet savor and stood as close to His presence as anything in the holy place could come.
Hebrew Study
"Incense" is the Hebrew qetoreth, from the root qatar, meaning to send up in smoke, to make a fragrant offering. The word pictures the fragrant cloud rising upward, and it is closely tied to the idea of a sweet savor pleasing to God. Scripture links this rising smoke directly to prayer: "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense" (Psalm 141:2). The qetoreth ascending before the vail is a portrait of the prayers of God's people rising as a fragrant cloud toward His throne.
Gospel Focus
The altar of incense, standing closest to the presence of God, is a beautiful picture of prayer. Scripture makes the meaning plain: "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2). In Revelation, the incense at the golden altar is "the prayers of saints" rising before God (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). Our prayers, offered in the name of Jesus, ascend to God as a sweet fragrance, pleasing and welcome. And notice where the altar stood, before the vail, nearest the presence, for prayer draws us closer to God than anything else in the life of worship. It was also fed continually, morning and evening, teaching us that prayer is not an occasional act but a perpetual fragrance meant to rise from our lives day and night. Above all, we do not offer this incense in our own worth. As the priest burned the pure incense before the LORD, so our prayers rise acceptable only through Christ, our great High Priest, who "ever liveth to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25). Let your prayers ascend as sweet incense, morning and evening, through Jesus, and know that they come up before God as a fragrance He delights to receive.
A Note on History
The ark of the covenant, a gilded wooden chest guarded by two winged cherubim, would have been immediately recognizable to people who had lived in Egypt. The tomb of Tutankhamun contained gilded shrines and chests overlaid with gold and guarded by winged goddesses stretching out their wings to shelter what lay within, a close visual parallel to the two cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat. The craftsmanship the tabernacle called for, gold overlay, fine linen, and skilled woodwork, was exactly the artistry Israel had learned in Egypt.
Chapter 37 in Review
Exodus 37 records Bezaleel's making of the golden furniture of the tabernacle. First and most sacred is the ark, overlaid within and without with pure gold, and upon it the mercy seat with two cherubims beaten of one piece, their faces bent toward the place where God would meet His people over the covered law. Then the table of pure gold for the bread of the presence, set continually before God's face; the golden candlestick, beaten of one piece, whose seven lamps gave the only light in the holy place; and the altar of incense before the vail, with the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, sending up a fragrant cloud toward the presence of God.
For the Apostolic reader, every golden object preaches Christ and the life of worship. The mercy seat is Jesus our propitiation, the place where the broken law is covered by blood and God meets the sinner in peace. The bread of the presence is Christ the bread of life, calling us to continual fellowship at the table of God. The beaten candlestick is Christ the light of the world, and His people the lampstands who carry His light by the oil of the Spirit. And the altar of incense is prayer, rising nearest the presence of God, a sweet fragrance offered through our great High Priest. Here, in gold and shadow, is the whole of a life with God: covered by the blood, fed at His table, shining with His light, and lifted to Him in prayer.
- The mercy seat covered the broken law and was the place God met His people through blood; it is Christ our propitiation (37:9; Romans 3:25).
- The bread of the presence pictures Christ the bread of life and our continual fellowship with God (37:10; John 6:35).
- The beaten golden candlestick pictures Christ the light of the world and His people who carry His light (37:17; John 8:12).
- The altar of incense stood nearest the presence and pictures prayer rising to God as a sweet fragrance (37:25; Psalm 141:2).
- Our worship, at the mercy seat, table, lampstand, and altar, is acceptable only through Christ our High Priest (37:29; Hebrews 7:25).
Questions for Reflection
- Have you come to the mercy seat, where the blood of Jesus covers the broken law and God meets you in peace?
- Are you feeding on Christ, the bread of the presence, in continual fellowship with God?
- Does the incense of your prayer rise to God morning and evening, or only now and then?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). "Mercy seat" (Hebrew kapporeth, from kaphar, to cover or make atonement) names the place of covering over the ark, and "incense" (Hebrew qetoreth, from qatar, to send up in smoke) pictures prayer rising to God, as any Bible reference confirms. Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- Egyptian parallels to the ark and cherubim: the gilded shrines of Tutankhamun (Egyptian Museum, Cairo).
- The ark and the mercy seat of propitiation: Exodus 37:1-9; Romans 3:25; 1 Peter 1:12.
- The table and the bread of the presence: Exodus 37:10-16; John 6:35.
- The golden candlestick and the light of the world: Exodus 37:17-24; John 8:12.
- The altar of incense and prayer: Exodus 37:25-29; Psalm 141:2; Hebrews 7:25.