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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 36:14–34.
Here, 1. The shelter and special protection that the church is under are signified by the curtains of hair-cloth, which were spread over the tabernacle, and the covering of rams' skins and badgers' skins over them, Exo 36:14-19. God has provided for his people a shadow from the heat, and a covert from storm and rain, Isa 4:6. They are armed against all weathers; the sun and the moon shall not smite them: and they are protected from the storms of divine wrath, that hail which will sweep away the refuge of lies, Isa 28:17. Those that dwell in God's house shall find, be the tempest ever so violent, or the dropping ever so continual, it does not rain in. 2. The strength and stability of the church, though it is but a tabernacle, are signified by the boards and bars with which the curtains were borne up, Exo 36:20-34. The boards were coupled together and joined by the bars which shot through them; for the union of the church, and the hearty agreement of those that are its stays and supporters, contribute abundantly to its strength and establishment.
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Summary
Exodus 36:34 meticulously details the final, glorious touches applied to the structural components of the Tabernacle: the upright acacia wood boards and their connecting bars. This verse emphasizes the precise execution of God's divine blueprints by the skilled artisans, particularly the comprehensive overlaying of these foundational elements with pure gold. The repeated mention of gold underscores its profound symbolic significance, representing the divine majesty, purity, and enduring value essential for the sacred dwelling place of a holy God among His people, ensuring that every aspect of the sanctuary radiated His glory.
Context
Literary Context
Exodus 36:34 is situated within the extensive narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, which spans from Exodus 35 through Exodus 40. This section meticulously chronicles the fulfillment of the divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai in earlier chapters, specifically Exodus 25-31. Chapter 36 opens with the people's generous freewill offerings and the commencement of the actual construction work by Bezalel, Oholiab, and other divinely gifted craftsmen. Verses 20-34 of Exodus 36 describe the fabrication of the Tabernacle's essential structural elements: the upright boards, their silver sockets, and the connecting bars. Our verse, Exodus 36:34, marks the final, resplendent touch to these crucial components, highlighting the gold overlay that transformed the sturdy acacia wood into a shimmering, sacred edifice. This detailed account underscores both the divine origin of the design and the human faithfulness in its execution, moving from general instructions to specific, completed items, demonstrating the meticulous care required for God's dwelling.
Historical & Cultural Context
The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's forty-year wilderness wanderings, a pivotal period following their miraculous liberation from Egyptian slavery. As a nomadic people, they required a portable sanctuary for the worship of Yahweh, which could be dismantled and reassembled as they journeyed. The raw materials used, such as acacia wood (often referred to as shittim wood), were indigenous to the desert regions they traversed. Precious metals like gold were acquired from the spoils taken from Egypt during the Exodus or through the abundant freewill offerings generously provided by the people, as described in Exodus 35:5-9. In the ancient Near East, the use of gold for overlaying sacred objects and temple structures was common, symbolizing divinity, wealth, and royal power. However, in Israel's unique context, gold uniquely signified the absolute holiness, purity, and supreme worth of Yahweh, distinguishing Him from the pagan deities of surrounding nations. The meticulous adherence to divine specifications, including the exact dimensions and materials for the boards and bars detailed in Exodus 26:15-30, reflected the covenant relationship where God's presence was contingent upon Israel's obedience and reverence. The Tabernacle served as the central point of Israelite life, a constant, tangible reminder of God's presence, His covenant faithfulness, and the provision for atonement and communion.
Key Themes
This verse, along with the broader Tabernacle narrative, contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Presence and Immanence, showing God's desire to dwell among His people, even in their wilderness journey. The Tabernacle was the physical manifestation of this presence, a sacred space where the transcendent God condescended to meet with humanity. Secondly, the meticulous detail and use of precious materials highlight the theme of Holiness and Purity. Every component of the Tabernacle, especially those overlaid with gold, was consecrated and set apart for God's holy purposes, reflecting His unblemished character and demanding a corresponding purity from those who approached Him. This theme is foundational to the sacrificial system and the laws of clean and unclean, as seen in Leviticus 11. Thirdly, the faithful execution of God's instructions emphasizes the theme of Obedience and Divine Design. The Tabernacle was not built according to human ingenuity but precisely according to God's heavenly pattern (Exodus 25:9), underscoring that true worship and service must align with divine revelation. Finally, the Tabernacle serves as a profound Typology and Foreshadowing, pointing forward to a greater reality. Its temporary nature and symbolic elements foreshadow the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in Jesus Christ and the new heavens and new earth, a theme richly developed in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 8-10.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to sheet over (especially with metal)" or "to cover." In the context of the Tabernacle, it implies a complete and thorough covering with gold, not merely a superficial coating. The gold was meticulously applied to the boards and bars, suggesting a deep integration of the precious metal with the underlying acacia wood. This signifies that the glory and preciousness were intrinsic to the structure, transforming the common wood into something sacred and radiant, reflecting the divine presence it would house. It speaks to a transformative process, where the ordinary is made extraordinary by divine purpose and adornment.
This word refers to "a slab or plank." These were the upright planks of acacia wood (shittim) that formed the walls of the Tabernacle. They were the primary structural components, providing the vertical integrity and stability of the sanctuary. Their strength and foundational role were crucial, and by being overlaid with gold, their essential function was elevated to one of divine beauty and holiness. This indicates that even the basic framework and foundational elements of God's dwelling were to be glorious and consecrated, supporting the entire sacred structure with splendor.
This term refers to "gold," and figuratively, "something gold-colored." Repeatedly mentioned throughout the Tabernacle descriptions, gold is the most prominent material used. Symbolically, it represents purity, divinity, glory, and immense value. Its non-corrosive nature also speaks to permanence, incorruptibility, and unchanging truth. The pervasive use of gold in the Tabernacle underscored God's absolute holiness, His unblemished character, and His eternal nature, making the sanctuary a fitting earthly representation of His heavenly throne and the unparalleled worth of His presence.
Verse Breakdown
"And he overlaid the boards with gold"
This initial clause describes the primary action performed by Bezalel and the skilled craftsmen under his direction. The boards, which formed the sturdy, upright walls of the Tabernacle, were meticulously covered with pure gold. This act was not merely decorative; it was a transformative process that sanctified the natural acacia wood, making it a shining, sacred surface fit for the dwelling of a holy God. It conveyed the divine nature and glory of the space, ensuring that the very structure emanated splendor.
"and made their rings [of] gold [to be] places for the bars"
Beyond the surface overlay, this part specifies the creation of golden rings attached to the boards. These rings served a crucial structural purpose: they were the precise receptacles through which the connecting bars would pass, ensuring the stability and unity of the Tabernacle walls. The fact that these rings, though functional and somewhat concealed, were also made of gold emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the divine instructions—even the hidden, utilitarian elements were to be of the highest quality and precious material, ensuring the complete integrity, beauty, and glory of the Tabernacle.
"and overlaid the bars with gold"
This final clause reiterates the application of gold to the bars themselves. These bars, also made of acacia wood, were threaded through the golden rings of the boards, providing essential horizontal stability and cohesion to the entire Tabernacle structure. Just as the boards, the bars too received a gold overlay, signifying that every element, whether prominently visible or serving a more concealed structural role, that contributed to the Tabernacle's cohesion and strength was to be consecrated and adorned with divine glory, reflecting God's perfection in every detail.
Literary Devices
The verse employs significant Repetition of the phrase "overlaid with gold" and the word "gold" itself. This repetition serves to emphasize the pervasive nature of this precious material and the meticulousness of the construction process, underscoring the divine standard of excellence and the unparalleled glory intended for God's dwelling. Symbolism is profoundly at play, with gold representing God's absolute holiness, purity, and supreme worth. The transformation of common acacia wood through the gold overlay symbolizes the sanctification and glorification that occurs when God's presence indwells a space or a life. The boards and bars, representing structural integrity and unity, become symbols of God's stable and glorious presence, ensuring that even the foundational elements of His dwelling are imbued with divine splendor and consecrated for His purposes. The entire scene is one of Metonymy, where the material (gold) stands for the divine attributes it represents (holiness, glory), and the physical structure (Tabernacle) stands for God's presence among His people.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 36:34 powerfully illustrates the theological principle that God's dwelling place among His people must reflect His inherent glory, purity, and supreme value. The extensive use of gold, even on the structural elements like boards and bars, signifies that nothing less than the most precious and unblemished materials are fitting for the presence of a holy God. This meticulous attention to detail also underscores the importance of obedience to divine commands in worship and service, as the craftsmen faithfully executed every instruction. The Tabernacle, therefore, served as a tangible testament to God's desire to dwell among His people, but on His terms of holiness and perfection, foreshadowing a greater and more permanent dwelling.
Reflection and Application
The gold-overlaid boards and bars of the Tabernacle serve as a profound visual metaphor for the kind of lives God calls His people to live. Just as every part of His earthly dwelling, from its visible surfaces to its hidden structural components, was to be covered in glory and purity, so too should our lives, as living temples of the Holy Spirit, reflect His divine character. This means not only presenting a beautiful and holy exterior but also ensuring that the "bars" of our inner strength, our foundational beliefs, and our unseen commitments are likewise "overlaid with gold"—that is, purified, strengthened, and made radiant by God's truth and presence. This verse challenges us to consider whether our spiritual foundations are firm, whether our integrity extends to the unseen parts of our lives, and whether our entire being, in every aspect, is consecrated to God's glory, reflecting His holiness and beauty in our daily walk and interactions. As believers, our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit, calling us to live lives that honor and glorify God in every thought, word, and deed, ensuring that even our "hidden" parts are transformed by His divine presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was so much gold used in the Tabernacle's construction, even for structural elements?
The extensive use of gold, as seen in Exodus 36:34, was primarily symbolic. Gold, being the most precious, beautiful, and incorruptible metal known in the ancient world, represented God's absolute holiness, purity, glory, and divine majesty. Its pervasive use underscored the immense value God placed on His dwelling place among His people and ensured that every part of the sanctuary, from its visible surfaces to its hidden structural components, radiated divine splendor. It was a tangible representation of the perfection and unblemished nature of the God who would dwell there. This also highlighted the immense cost and sacrifice involved, reflecting the people's devotion and God's worthiness.
What is the significance of the "boards" and "bars" being overlaid with gold?
The "boards" (upright planks) formed the main walls of the Tabernacle, providing its structural integrity, while the "bars" connected and stabilized these boards, ensuring the unity and strength of the entire edifice. By overlaying these foundational and connecting elements with gold, the text emphasizes that even the unseen or purely functional aspects of God's dwelling were to be consecrated and made glorious. This signifies that God's holiness and glory are not superficial but permeate the very core and structure of His presence. It teaches that true spiritual beauty and strength come from a foundation that is entirely dedicated to and transformed by God's divine nature, as seen in the detailed instructions given in Exodus 26:15-30. The gold on these elements ensured that the entire structure, from its foundation to its visible surfaces, was set apart for God's holy presence.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The gold-overlaid boards and bars of the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's glorious and holy dwelling among His people, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle was a temporary, earthly shadow of a heavenly reality, a physical space where God's presence "tabernacled" among Israel. John's Gospel declares that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." The Greek word for "dwelt" (ἐσκήνωσεν, eskēnōsen) literally means "tabernacled," directly linking Christ's incarnation to the Old Testament sanctuary. Jesus is the true and perfect Tabernacle, the very embodiment of God's presence, purity, and glory. In Him, the "fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9), making Him the ultimate "gold-overlaid" dwelling place where God fully reveals Himself to humanity. Through His perfect life and atoning sacrifice, Christ, as the greater High Priest, entered "not into a sanctuary made with hands... but into heaven itself" (Hebrews 9:11-12), opening the way for believers to become living temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This collective body of believers, the church, now forms God's spiritual dwelling place on earth (Ephesians 2:19-22). Thus, the temporary glory of the Tabernacle points to the eternal and personal glory found in Christ, who is God's perfect dwelling, and through whom we are brought into fellowship with the Holy One, now and forever.