Materials of the Tabernacle

21 [a]This is the inventory of the tabernacle, (A)the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, (B)by the hand of (C)Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

22 (D)Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord had commanded Moses. 23 And with him was (E)Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and [b]designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.

24 All the gold that was used in all the work of the holy place, that is, the gold of the (F)offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred and thirty shekels, according to (G)the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 And the silver from those who were (H)numbered of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 (I)a bekah for [c]each man (that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone included in the numbering from twenty years old and above, for (J)six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men. 27 And from the hundred talents of silver were cast (K)the sockets of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil: one hundred sockets from the hundred talents, one talent for each socket. 28 Then from the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and (L)made bands for them.

29 The offering of bronze was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. 30 And with it he made the sockets for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, and all the utensils for the altar, 31 the sockets for the court all around, the bases for the court gate, all the pegs for the tabernacle, and all the pegs for the court all around.

Making the Garments of the Priesthood(M)

39 Of the (N)blue, purple, and scarlet thread they made (O)garments[d] of ministry, for ministering in the [e]holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, (P)as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Making the Ephod

(Q)He made the (R)ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs. They made shoulder straps for it to couple it together; it was coupled together at its two edges. And the intricately woven band of his ephod that was on it was of the same workmanship, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(S)And they set onyx stones, enclosed in [f]settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel. He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as (T)memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Making the Breastplate

(U)And he made the breastplate, artistically woven like the workmanship of the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. They made the breastplate square by doubling it; a span was its length and a span its width when doubled. 10 (V)And they set in it four rows of stones: a row with a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald was the first row; 11 the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; 12 the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold in their mountings. 14 There were (W)twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel: according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes. 15 And they made chains for the breastplate at the ends, like braided cords of pure gold. 16 They also made two settings of gold and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17 And they put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate. 18 The two ends of the two braided chains they fastened in the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front. 19 And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which was on the inward side of the ephod. 20 They made two other gold rings and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod. 21 And they bound the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it would be above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate would not come loose from the ephod, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Making the Other Priestly Garments

22 (X)He made the (Y)robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. 23 And there was an opening in the middle of the robe, like the opening in a coat of mail, with a woven binding all around the opening, so that it would not tear. 24 They made on the hem of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, and of fine woven linen. 25 And they made (Z)bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates: 26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to [g]minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

27 (AA)They made tunics, artistically woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons, 28 (AB)a turban of fine linen, exquisite hats of fine linen, (AC)short trousers of fine woven linen, 29 (AD)and a sash of fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, made by a weaver, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

30 (AE)Then they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet:

(AF)HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

31 And they tied to it a blue cord, to fasten it above on the turban, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The Work Completed(AG)

32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was (AH)finished. And the children of Israel did (AI)according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. 33 And they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its furnishings: its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 34 the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of badger skins, and the veil of the covering; 35 the ark of the Testimony with its poles, and the mercy seat; 36 the table, all its utensils, and the (AJ)showbread; 37 the pure gold lampstand with its lamps (the lamps set in order), all its utensils, and the oil for light; 38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door; 39 the bronze altar, its grate of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils; the laver with its base; 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets, the screen for the court gate, its cords, and its pegs; all the utensils for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; 41 and the [h]garments of ministry, to [i]minister in the holy place: the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister as priests.

42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel (AK)did all the work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses (AL)blessed them.

The Tabernacle Erected and Arranged

40 Then the Lord (AM)spoke to Moses, saying: “On the first day of the (AN)first month you shall set up (AO)the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. (AP)You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and [j]partition off the ark with the veil. (AQ)You shall bring in the table and (AR)arrange the things that are to be set in order on it; (AS)and you shall bring in the lampstand and [k]light its lamps. (AT)You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. Then you shall set the (AU)altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. And (AV)you shall set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. You shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen at the court gate.

“And you shall take the anointing oil, and (AW)anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy. 10 You shall (AX)anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. (AY)The altar shall be most holy. 11 And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and consecrate it.

12 (AZ)“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water. 13 You shall put the holy (BA)garments on Aaron, (BB)and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 14 And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be (BC)an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.

17 And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the (BD)tabernacle was [l]raised up. 18 So Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 And he spread out the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 He took (BE)the Testimony and put it into the ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, (BF)hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the ark of the Testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

22 (BG)He put the table in the tabernacle of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil; 23 (BH)and he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24 (BI)He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle; 25 and (BJ)he lit the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26 (BK)He put the gold altar in the tabernacle of meeting in front of the veil; 27 (BL)and he burned sweet incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28 (BM)He hung up the screen at the door of the tabernacle. 29 (BN)And he put the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and (BO)offered upon it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 (BP)He set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing; 31 and Moses, Aaron, and his sons would (BQ)wash their hands and their feet with water from it. 32 Whenever they went into the tabernacle of meeting, and when they came near the altar, they washed, (BR)as the Lord had commanded Moses. 33 (BS)And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses (BT)finished the work.

The Cloud and the Glory(BU)

34 (BV)Then the (BW)cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the (BX)glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses (BY)was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 (BZ)Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would [m]go onward in all their journeys. 37 But (CA)if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For (CB)the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 38:21 Lit. These are the things appointed for
  2. Exodus 38:23 skillful workman
  3. Exodus 38:26 Lit. a head
  4. Exodus 39:1 Or woven garments
  5. Exodus 39:1 sanctuary
  6. Exodus 39:6 plaited work
  7. Exodus 39:26 serve
  8. Exodus 39:41 Or woven garments
  9. Exodus 39:41 serve
  10. Exodus 40:3 screen
  11. Exodus 40:4 set up
  12. Exodus 40:17 erected
  13. Exodus 40:36 journey

The Materials Used

21 These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law,(A) which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar(B) son of Aaron, the priest. 22 (Bezalel(C) son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; 23 with him was Oholiab(D) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.) 24 The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary(E) was 29 talents and 730 shekels,[a] according to the sanctuary shekel.(F)

25 The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census(G) was 100 talents[b] and 1,775 shekels,[c] according to the sanctuary shekel— 26 one beka per person,(H) that is, half a shekel,[d] according to the sanctuary shekel,(I) from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more,(J) a total of 603,550 men.(K) 27 The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases(L) for the sanctuary and for the curtain—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base. 28 They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands.

29 The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels.[e] 30 They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils, 31 the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard.

The Priestly Garments

39 From the blue, purple and scarlet yarn(M) they made woven garments for ministering in the sanctuary.(N) They also made sacred garments(O) for Aaron, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Ephod(P)

They[f] made the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands. They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached to two of its corners, so it could be fastened. Its skillfully woven waistband was like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen, as the Lord commanded Moses.

They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings and engraved them like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel. Then they fastened them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial(Q) stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Breastpiece(R)

They fashioned the breastpiece(S)—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. It was square—a span[g] long and a span wide—and folded double. 10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 11 the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 12 the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; 13 the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper.[h] They were mounted in gold filigree settings. 14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.(T)

15 For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece. 17 They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 18 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 19 They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 21 They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses.

Other Priestly Garments(U)

22 They made the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth—the work of a weaver— 23 with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar,[i] and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear. 24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen around the hem of the robe. 25 And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. 26 The bells and pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the Lord commanded Moses.

27 For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen(V)—the work of a weaver— 28 and the turban(W) of fine linen, the linen caps and the undergarments of finely twisted linen. 29 The sash was made of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn—the work of an embroiderer—as the Lord commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate, the sacred emblem, out of pure gold and engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: holy to the Lord.(X) 31 Then they fastened a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban,(Y) as the Lord commanded Moses.

Moses Inspects the Tabernacle(Z)

32 So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.(AA) 33 Then they brought the tabernacle(AB) to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 34 the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of another durable leather[j] and the shielding curtain; 35 the ark of the covenant law(AC) with its poles and the atonement cover; 36 the table(AD) with all its articles and the bread of the Presence;(AE) 37 the pure gold lampstand(AF) with its row of lamps and all its accessories,(AG) and the olive oil(AH) for the light; 38 the gold altar,(AI) the anointing oil,(AJ) the fragrant incense,(AK) and the curtain(AL) for the entrance to the tent; 39 the bronze altar(AM) with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the basin(AN) with its stand; 40 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;(AO) the ropes and tent pegs for the courtyard; all the furnishings for the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 41 and the woven garments(AP) worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.

42 The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.(AQ) 43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded.(AR) So Moses blessed(AS) them.

Setting Up the Tabernacle

40 Then the Lord said to Moses: “Set up(AT) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,(AU) on the first day of the first month.(AV) Place the ark(AW) of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. Bring in the table(AX) and set out what belongs on it.(AY) Then bring in the lampstand(AZ) and set up its lamps. Place the gold altar(BA) of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

“Place the altar(BB) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; place the basin(BC) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. Set up the courtyard(BD) around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

“Take the anointing oil and anoint(BE) the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,(BF) and it will be holy. 10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate(BG) the altar, and it will be most holy. 11 Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.

12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting(BH) and wash them with water.(BI) 13 Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,(BJ) anoint him and consecrate(BK) him so he may serve me as priest. 14 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.(BL) 15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.(BM) 16 Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded(BN) him.

17 So the tabernacle(BO) was set up on the first day of the first month(BP) in the second year. 18 When Moses(BQ) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,(BR) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering(BS) over the tent, as the Lord commanded(BT) him.

20 He took the tablets of the covenant law(BU) and placed them in the ark,(BV) attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover(BW) over it. 21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain(BX) and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the Lord commanded(BY) him.

22 Moses placed the table(BZ) in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain 23 and set out the bread(CA) on it before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(CB) him.

24 He placed the lampstand(CC) in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle 25 and set up the lamps(CD) before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(CE) him.

26 Moses placed the gold altar(CF) in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord commanded(CG) him.

28 Then he put up the curtain(CH) at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar(CI) of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings,(CJ) as the Lord commanded(CK) him.

30 He placed the basin(CL) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, 31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash(CM) their hands and feet. 32 They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,(CN) as the Lord commanded(CO) Moses.

33 Then Moses set up the courtyard(CP) around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain(CQ) at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

The Glory of the Lord

34 Then the cloud(CR) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory(CS) of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory(CT) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.(CU)

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;(CV) 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud(CW) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 38:24 The weight of the gold was a little over a ton or about 1 metric ton.
  2. Exodus 38:25 That is, about 3 3/4 tons or about 3.4 metric tons; also in verse 27
  3. Exodus 38:25 That is, about 44 pounds or about 20 kilograms; also in verse 28
  4. Exodus 38:26 That is, about 1/5 ounce or about 5.7 grams
  5. Exodus 38:29 The weight of the bronze was about 2 1/2 tons or about 2.4 metric tons.
  6. Exodus 39:2 Or He; also in verses 7, 8 and 22
  7. Exodus 39:9 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  8. Exodus 39:13 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain.
  9. Exodus 39:23 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  10. Exodus 39:34 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals

51 So all the work that King Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished; and Solomon brought in the things (A)which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and the furnishings. He put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord.

The Ark Brought into the Temple(B)

Now (C)Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, (D)that they might bring (E)up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion. Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the (F)feast in the month of [a]Ethanim, which is the seventh month. So all the elders of Israel came, (G)and the priests took up the ark. Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, (H)the [b]tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, (I)sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. Then the priests (J)brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to (K)its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, (L)under the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. The poles (M)extended so that the [c]ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. (N)Nothing was in the ark (O)except the two tablets of stone which Moses (P)put there at Horeb, (Q)when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud (R)filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the (S)glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

12 (T)Then Solomon spoke:

“The Lord said He would dwell (U)in the dark cloud.
13 (V)I have surely built You an exalted house,
(W)And a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech at Completion of the Work(X)

14 Then the king turned around and (Y)blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 15 And he said: (Z)“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who (AA)spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, 16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that (AB)My name might be there; but I chose (AC)David to be over My people Israel.’ 17 Now (AD)it was in the heart of my father David to build a [d]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 (AE)But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Nevertheless (AF)you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ 20 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have [e]filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, (AG)as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 21 And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is (AH)the covenant of the Lord which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 8:2 Or Tishri, September or October
  2. 1 Kings 8:4 tent
  3. 1 Kings 8:8 heads
  4. 1 Kings 8:17 Lit. house, and so in vv. 18–20
  5. 1 Kings 8:20 risen in the place of

51 When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated(A)—the silver and gold and the furnishings(B)—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.

The Ark Brought to the Temple(C)

Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs(D) of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark(E) of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.(F) All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival(G) in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.(H)

When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests(I) took up the ark, and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting(J) and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites(K) carried them up, and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing(L) so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.

The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant(M) to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place,(N) and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.(O) The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed(P) the ark and its carrying poles. These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.(Q) There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets(R) that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud(S) filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service(T) because of the cloud, for the glory(U) of the Lord filled his temple.

12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;(V) 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell(W) forever.”

14 While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed(X) them. 15 Then he said:

“Praise be to the Lord,(Y) the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David. For he said, 16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt,(Z) I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name(AA) might be there, but I have chosen(AB) David(AC) to rule my people Israel.’

17 “My father David had it in his heart(AD) to build a temple(AE) for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. 19 Nevertheless, you(AF) are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’(AG)

20 “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded(AH) David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built(AI) the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”

God’s Supreme Revelation(A)

God, who [a]at various times and (B)in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [b]worlds; (C)who being the brightness of His glory and the express (D)image of His person, and (E)upholding all things by the word of His power, (F)when He had [c]by Himself [d]purged [e]our sins, (G)sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as (H)He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Son Exalted Above Angels

For to which of the angels did He ever say:

(I)“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?

And again:

(J)“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?

But when He again brings (K)the firstborn into the world, He says:

(L)“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

And of the angels He says:

(M)“Who makes His angels spirits
And His ministers a flame of fire.”

But to the Son He says:

(N)“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A [f]scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, (O)has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

10 And:

(P)“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 (Q)They will perish, but You remain;
And (R)they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the (S)same,
And Your years will not fail.”

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said:

(T)“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

14 (U)Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will (V)inherit salvation?

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:1 Or in many portions
  2. Hebrews 1:2 Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons
  3. Hebrews 1:3 NU omits by Himself
  4. Hebrews 1:3 cleansed
  5. Hebrews 1:3 NU omits our
  6. Hebrews 1:8 A ruler’s staff

God’s Final Word: His Son

In the past God spoke(A) to our ancestors through the prophets(B) at many times and in various ways,(C) but in these last days(D) he has spoken to us by his Son,(E) whom he appointed heir(F) of all things, and through whom(G) also he made the universe.(H) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory(I) and the exact representation of his being,(J) sustaining all things(K) by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,(L) he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.(M) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.(N)

The Son Superior to Angels

For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”[a]?(O)

Or again,

“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”[b]?(P)

And again, when God brings his firstborn(Q) into the world,(R) he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c](S)

In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”[d](T)

But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;(U)
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions(V)
    by anointing you with the oil(W) of joy.”[e](X)

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.(Y)
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.(Z)
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,(AA)
    and your years will never end.”[f](AB)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand(AC)
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool(AD) for your feet”[g]?(AE)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits(AF) sent to serve those who will inherit(AG) salvation?(AH)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 1:5 Psalm 2:7
  2. Hebrews 1:5 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13
  3. Hebrews 1:6 Deut. 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint)
  4. Hebrews 1:7 Psalm 104:4
  5. Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 45:6,7
  6. Hebrews 1:12 Psalm 102:25-27
  7. Hebrews 1:13 Psalm 110:1