TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
Complete Jewish Bible
the gold altar; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense; the screen for the entrance to the tent;
Berean Standard Bible
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;
American Standard Version
and the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door of the Tent;
World English Bible Messianic
the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also the golden Altar and the anoynting oyle, and the sweete incense, and the hanging of the Tabernacle doore,
Young's Literal Translation
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the spice-perfume, and the covering of the opening of the tent;
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In the KJVVerse 2,703 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 39 verses 32–43
32 ¶ Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
33 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,
34 And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
35 The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
36 The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
39 The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
40 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
41 The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
42 According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
Observe here, I. The builders of the tabernacle made very good despatch. It was not much more than five months from the beginning to the finishing of it. Though there was a great deal of fine work about it, such as is usually the work of time, embroidering and engraving, not only in gold, but in precious stones, yet they went through with it in a little time. Church-work is usually slow work, but they made quick work of this, and yet did it with the greatest exactness imaginable. For, 1. Many hands were employed, all unanimous, and not striving with each other. This expedited the business, and made it easy. 2. The workmen were taught of God, and so were kept from making blunders, which would have retarded them. 3. The people were hearty and zealous in the work, and impatient till it was finished. God had prepared their hearts, and then the thing was done suddenly, Ch2 29:36. Resolution and industry, and a cheerful application of mind, will, by the grace of God, bring a great deal of good work to pass in a little time, in less than one would expect.
II. They punctually observed their orders, and did not in the least vary from them. They did it according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, Exo 39:32, Exo 39:42. Note, God's work must be done, in every thing, according to his own will. His institutions neither need nor admit men's inventions to make them either more beautiful or more likely to answer the intention of them. Add thou not unto his words. God is pleased with willing worship, but not with will-worship.
III. They brought all their work to Moses, and submitted it to his inspection and censure, Exo 39:33. He knew what he had ordered them to make; and now the particulars were called over, and all produced, that Moses might see both that they had made all, omitting nothing, and that they had made all according to the instructions given them, and that, if they had made a mistake in any thing, it might be forthwith rectified. Thus they showed respect to Moses, who was set over them in the Lord; not objecting that Moses did not understand such work, and therefore that there was no reason for submitting it to his judgment. No, that God who gave them so much knowledge as to do the work gave them also so much humility as to be willing to have it examined and compared with the model. Moses was in authority, and they would pay a deference to his place. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets. And besides, though they knew how to do the work better than Moses, Moses had a better and more exact idea of the model than they had, and therefore they could not be well pleased with their own work, unless they had his approbation. Thus in all the services of religion we should labour to be accepted of the Lord.
IV. Moses, upon search, found all done according to the rule, Exo 39:43. Moses, both for their satisfaction and for his own, did look upon all the work, piece by piece, and behold they had done it according to the pattern shown him, for the same Being that showed him the pattern guided their hand in the work. All the copies of God's grace exactly agree with the original of his counsels: what God works in us, and by us, is the fulfilling of the good pleasure of his own goodness; and when the mystery of God shall be finished, and all his performances come to be compared with his purposes, it will appear that behold all is done according to the counsel of his own will, not one iota or tittle of which shall fall to the ground, or be varied from.
V. Moses blessed them. 1. He commended them, and signified his approbation of all they had done. He did not find fault where there was none, as some do, who think they disparage their own judgment if they do not find something amiss in the best and most accomplished performance. In all this work it is probable there might have been found here and there a stitch amiss, and a stroke awry, which would have served for an over-curious and censorious critic to animadvert upon; but Moses was too candid to notice small faults where there were no great ones. Note, All governors must be a praise to those that do well, as well as a terror to evil-doers. Why should any take a pride in being hard to be pleased? 2. He not only praised them, but prayed for them. He blessed them as one having authority, for the less is blessed of the better. We read not of any wages that Moses paid them for their work, but this blessing he gave them. For, though ordinarily the labourer be worthy of his hire, yet in this case, 1. They wrought for themselves. The honour and comfort of God's tabernacle among them would be recompence enough. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself. 2. They had their meat from heaven on free-cost, for themselves and their families, and their raiment waxed not old upon them; so that they neither needed wages nor had reason to expect any. Freely you have received, freely give. The obligations we lie under, both in duty and interest, to serve God, should be sufficient to quicken us to our work, though we had not a reward in prospect. But, 3. This blessing, in the name of the Lord, was wages enough for all their work. Those whom God employs he will bless, and those whom he blesses are blessed indeed. The blessing he commands is life for evermore.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 32–43. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 39:38 is a concise inventory verse, meticulously detailing the completion of several sacred components of the Tabernacle: the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, and the hanging for the Tabernacle door. This verse is part of a larger record confirming that all elements of the sanctuary were prepared precisely according to God's divine commands given to Moses on Mount Sinai, signifying the Israelites' faithful obedience in establishing a holy dwelling place for the Lord among them.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 39:38 primarily employs Inventory/List as a literary device. This verse, along with others in the chapter, functions as a detailed accounting of the completed Tabernacle components. This meticulous listing underscores the thoroughness with which the divine instructions were followed, leaving no room for omission or error. Furthermore, Symbolism is inherent in each item mentioned. The "golden altar" symbolizes prayer and worship; the "anointing oil" symbolizes consecration and the setting apart for holy service; the "sweet incense" symbolizes the ascending prayers of the saints; and the "hanging for the tabernacle door" symbolizes the necessary, divinely ordained access point into God's presence. The broader context of Exodus 39 also features Repetition, particularly the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses," which serves to emphasize the unwavering obedience of the craftsmen and the divine authority behind every detail of the Tabernacle's construction.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 39:38, as part of the Tabernacle's completion, profoundly emphasizes God's holiness, His desire for intimate communion with His people, and the divinely appointed means by which sinful humanity could approach a holy God. Each item listed—the altar of incense, anointing oil, sacred incense, and the entrance curtain—was not merely functional but deeply symbolic, pointing to the necessity of prayer, consecration, and a divinely ordained pathway for worship. These elements underscored the meticulousness required in approaching God, reflecting His perfect nature and the serious nature of sin. They served as tangible reminders that access to God was not casual but predicated on His gracious provision and Israel's obedient adherence to His commands, foreshadowing the ultimate and perfect access provided through Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail in Exodus 39:38 and the entire Tabernacle account serves as a profound reminder of God's character: He is a God of order, holiness, and intentionality. For believers today, this passage calls us to a similar intentionality and reverence in our spiritual lives. Just as the golden altar was dedicated to prayer, we are encouraged to cultivate a vibrant and consistent prayer life, recognizing it as our spiritual incense ascending to God. The anointing oil, symbolizing consecration, reminds us that as believers, we are set apart by the Holy Spirit for God's purposes, called to live lives of holiness and devotion. The "hanging for the tabernacle door" reminds us that access to God is not arbitrary but through the divinely appointed way. Our worship, our service, and our daily walk should reflect the same care and obedience that characterized the construction of the Tabernacle, honoring God in every detail of our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the golden altar mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The "golden altar" refers to the Altar of Incense, which stood in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, directly before the veil to the Most Holy Place. Its primary purpose, as detailed in Exodus 30:1-10, was for the daily burning of the specially prepared "sweet incense." This act symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him, as echoed in Revelation 8:3-4 where incense represents the prayers of the saints.
Why was the anointing oil so important for the Tabernacle and its elements?
Answer: The anointing oil was of immense importance because it served to consecrate and sanctify the Tabernacle, all its furnishings, and the priests themselves, setting them apart for holy service to God. Its composition was unique and divinely prescribed (see Exodus 30:22-33), emphasizing the absolute holiness and divine appointment of those things and individuals dedicated to the Lord. It marked them as sacred, distinct from anything common or profane.
What was the significance of the "hanging for the tabernacle door"?
Answer: The "hanging for the tabernacle door" was the colorful, embroidered curtain that served as the entrance to the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Described in Exodus 26:36-37, it provided a clear visual boundary and controlled access to the sacred space. Its significance lay in signifying that while God desired to dwell among His people, there was a sacred order and distinction in approaching His holy presence. It was the divinely appointed threshold that one had to pass through to enter the area where the priests ministered.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 39:38, with its inventory of sacred Tabernacle items, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "golden altar" and "sweet incense," symbolizing the prayers of God's people, are fulfilled in Christ, our great High Priest, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Our prayers now ascend to God through Him, made acceptable by His perfect sacrifice. The "anointing oil," which consecrated and set apart for holy service, points directly to Christ as the Anointed One (Messiah), who was uniquely set apart by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His redemptive mission (Acts 10:38). Moreover, through Christ, believers receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit, setting us apart as God's holy people (1 John 2:20). Finally, the "hanging for the tabernacle door," which regulated access to God's presence, is superseded by Christ Himself. He declared, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). His crucifixion, which symbolically tore the temple veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifies that through His body, broken for us, we now have direct, unhindered access to the Father in the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19-20). Thus, every item in Exodus 39:38 ultimately directs our gaze to Christ, the true Tabernacle, in whom God dwells among us (John 1:14), and through whom all the typological shadows find their glorious reality.