Exodus 39:33

KJV

And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,

KJV (with Strong's)

And they brought {H935} the tabernacle {H4908} unto Moses {H4872}, the tent {H168}, and all his furniture {H3627}, his taches {H7165}, his boards {H7175}, his bars {H1280}, and his pillars {H5982}, and his sockets {H134},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they brought the tabernacle to Moshe -the tent and all its furnishings, clasps, planks, crossbars, posts and sockets;

Berean Standard Bible

Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent with all its furnishings, its clasps, its frames, its crossbars, and its posts and bases;

American Standard Version

And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the Tent, and all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, and its pillars, and its sockets;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 39:33 records the pivotal moment when the completed components of the Tabernacle were meticulously presented to Moses, signifying the culmination of the Israelites' diligent and faithful execution of God's precise architectural blueprint. This verse details the comprehensive collection of every part, from the overarching tent structure to the smallest fasteners and foundational elements, underscoring the community's unwavering commitment to divine instruction and preparing for God's promised dwelling among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the detailed narrative concerning the construction of the Tabernacle. Following God's explicit instructions for its design in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - The Divine Blueprint for the Tabernacle"), the subsequent chapters, particularly [Exodus 35-39](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35-39 - The Construction of the Tabernacle"), meticulously recount the Israelites' faithful and willing execution of these commands. Chapter 39 specifically describes the completion of the priestly garments and the final elements of the Tabernacle. Verse 33 serves as the grand inventory and presentation of all these finished components to Moses, immediately preceding the actual erection and dedication of the Tabernacle in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Erection and Dedication of the Tabernacle"). It marks the transition from construction to assembly and consecration, highlighting the meticulous fulfillment of every divine detail.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings, a period of profound formation for the nascent nation. Having recently escaped Egyptian bondage and received the Law at Mount Sinai, the Tabernacle was to be the tangible center of their worship and the visible sign of God's presence among them. This portable sanctuary reflected nomadic traditions while establishing a unique, divinely ordained cultic system. The detailed inventory in [Exodus 39:33](/exodus/39-33 "Exodus 39:33 - The Presentation of the Tabernacle Components") would have been crucial for accountability and verification, ensuring that every element matched the divine specifications given to Moses on the mountain (cf. [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern of the Tabernacle")). The bringing of all parts to Moses underscored his role as the divinely appointed overseer and mediator, ensuring the sanctity and integrity of God's dwelling place.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, מִשְׁכָּן, _mishkan'_):** This primary term, derived from the root _shakan_ (to dwell), literally means "dwelling place" or "residence." It emphasizes the central purpose of the structure: to be the earthly abode where God would condescend to dwell among His people. The _mishkan_ represents the innermost, most sacred part of the sanctuary, distinct from the outer tent covering. Its completion signifies the imminent realization of God's promise to be present with Israel.
* **Tent (Hebrew, אֹהֶל, _ohel'_):** While often used interchangeably with "Tabernacle" in a general sense, _ohel_ here refers specifically to the outer, more practical covering of the sacred _mishkan_. This "tent" provided protection from the elements and privacy for the holy space within. Its inclusion alongside the _mishkan_ highlights the dual nature of the structure: a functional, portable tent for wilderness travel, and simultaneously, a consecrated dwelling place for the Holy God.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, אֲדָנִים, _adanīm'_):** These foundational bases, typically made of silver for the boards and bronze for the pillars, were crucial for the stability and proper erection of the Tabernacle. The word implies a strong, firm support. Their inclusion in the list, alongside larger components, underscores the meticulous attention to every detail, no matter how seemingly small, ensuring the structural integrity and divine precision of the entire edifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses,"**: This opening clause signifies the culmination of the construction phase. "They" refers to the skilled craftsmen, particularly Bezalel and Aholiab, and the multitude of Israelites who contributed their labor and materials. The act of bringing the "tabernacle" (referring here to the entire completed structure in its various components) to Moses underscores his role as the divinely appointed overseer and the ultimate recipient of the completed work, validating its adherence to God's blueprint.
* **"the tent, and all his furniture,"**: This phrase clarifies and expands upon "the tabernacle." "The tent" specifies the outer covering and general structure, while "all his furniture" encompasses the numerous internal elements and vessels, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the altars. This inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the presentation, indicating that not just the physical shell but all its sacred contents were ready.
* **"his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,"**: This detailed enumeration provides a specific inventory of the structural components. "Taches" (clasps) joined curtains, "boards" formed the golden walls, "bars" held the boards together, "pillars" supported veils and the entrance, and "sockets" provided stable foundations. The meticulous listing of these diverse elements, from the smallest fasteners to the largest structural supports, reinforces the Israelites' precise adherence to God's detailed instructions and the completeness of their work.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 39:33 employs several literary devices to emphasize the significance of this moment. The most prominent is **Merism**, where a comprehensive list of parts ("taches, boards, bars, pillars, and sockets") is used to represent the entirety of the Tabernacle's structure. This detailed enumeration, following the more general terms "tabernacle" and "tent," serves to underscore the **Completeness** and meticulousness of the work. Every single component, no matter how small, was accounted for and brought to Moses, highlighting the Israelites' **Faithful Obedience** to God's exacting specifications. The verse also functions as a **Climax** in the narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, marking the successful completion of the physical edifice before its grand assembly and dedication in the subsequent chapter. The cumulative effect of these devices is to impress upon the reader the absolute precision and thoroughness with which God's instructions were carried out.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 39:33 is a powerful testament to the themes of divine instruction, human obedience, and God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people. The meticulous completion and presentation of the Tabernacle components underscore the absolute necessity of adherence to God's revealed will. Every detail, from the grand design to the smallest clasp, was divinely ordained, signifying that true worship and fellowship with God are predicated on faithful obedience to His precise commands. This act of bringing all parts to Moses represents the culmination of a communal effort, demonstrating that when God's people unite in obedience, His dwelling place among them can be realized, bringing His presence into their midst.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary")
* [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-5 - Description of the Earthly Sanctuary")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 39:33 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as the Israelites diligently and precisely followed God's blueprint for the Tabernacle, we are called to live lives of faithful obedience to God's Word in every detail. This verse reminds us that no part of our lives, no action, no thought, is insignificant in God's grand design. Our commitment to Christ, our service in the church, and our daily walk should reflect the same meticulous care and dedication shown by the Tabernacle builders. Furthermore, the completion of the Tabernacle components paved the way for God's dwelling among His people. Similarly, as we, the church, are now God's spiritual temple, our collective and individual obedience creates a space for God's presence to manifest powerfully in the world, drawing others to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to greater precision and faithfulness in obedience to God's Word, mirroring the Israelites' meticulous work on the Tabernacle?**
* **How does recognizing that "no part" of the Tabernacle was insignificant encourage me about my own role and contribution within the body of Christ?**
* **What does the Israelites' unified effort in building the Tabernacle teach me about the importance of communal obedience and collaboration in God's work today?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed list of components included in this verse?**

Answer: The detailed list in [Exodus 39:33](/exodus/39-33 "Exodus 39:33 - The Presentation of the Tabernacle Components") serves multiple critical purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the Israelites' meticulous and complete obedience to God's highly specific instructions, highlighting that not a single item was overlooked or incorrectly made. This reinforces the theme of divine precision and human faithfulness. Secondly, it acts as an inventory, confirming that all necessary parts for the Tabernacle's assembly were present and accounted for, preparing for the next stage of erection. Finally, it underscores the theological significance of every element, no matter how small, in creating a holy space for God's dwelling, demonstrating that God cares about the details of our service and worship.

**Who were "they" who brought the Tabernacle components to Moses?**

Answer: "They" primarily refers to the skilled craftsmen, led by Bezalel and Aholiab, and the many other Israelites who had diligently worked on the Tabernacle's construction (cf. [Exodus 35:30-35](/exodus/35-30 "Exodus 35:30-35 - Bezalel and Aholiab Appointed")). These individuals, empowered by the Spirit of God with wisdom and skill, were responsible for executing the divine blueprint. The act of bringing the completed components to Moses signifies their accountability to the divinely appointed leader and their successful fulfillment of the tasks entrusted to them by God through Moses.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 39:33, with its emphasis on the completion of God's dwelling place among His people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, a temporary and physical structure, foreshadowed the ultimate reality of God dwelling among humanity in a more profound way. Jesus is the true "Tabernacle" (or "tent") of God, for as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," literally "tabernacled" among us. In Christ, God's presence is not confined to a physical structure but is embodied in a person, Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Prophecy of Emmanuel")). Just as every piece of the Tabernacle was meticulously crafted according to divine design, so too was Christ's life and ministry a perfect, obedient fulfillment of God's will, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He is the perfect High Priest, the perfect sacrifice, and the perfect access point to God's presence, rendering the physical Tabernacle obsolete. Through His finished work, believers become the new temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), a spiritual dwelling place where God truly resides by His Spirit, fulfilling the longing for intimate fellowship first expressed in the wilderness Tabernacle.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.