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Exodus 37:16

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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.

And he made {H6213} the vessels {H3627} which were upon the table {H7979}, his dishes {H7086}, and his spoons {H3709}, and his bowls {H4518}, and his covers {H7184} to cover {H5258} withal {H2004}, of pure {H2889} gold {H2091}.

He made the utensils to be put on the table -its dishes, pans, bowls and pitchers - of pure gold.

He also made the utensils for the table out of pure gold: its plates and dishes, as well as its bowls and pitchers for pouring drink offerings.

And he made the vessels which were upon the table, the dishes thereof, and the spoons thereof, and the bowls thereof, and the flagons thereof, wherewith to pour out, of pure gold.

Commentary

Exodus 37:16 meticulously details the creation of the various vessels used on the Table of Showbread within the Tabernacle, emphasizing that these implements—dishes, spoons, bowls, and covers—were crafted from "pure gold." This verse highlights the divine standard of excellence and purity required for all elements of God's sacred dwelling.

Context

This verse is part of the comprehensive narrative describing the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, executed by Bezalel and Oholiab, according to the precise instructions God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Table of Showbread itself was described in Exodus 25:23-30, along with the command for its accompanying utensils. Bezalel, divinely empowered with skill and wisdom (Exodus 31:1-5), meticulously followed these blueprints. These vessels were essential for the ongoing presentation and maintenance of the showbread, symbolizing God's continuous provision and covenant faithfulness to Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Obedience: Every item, no matter how small, was made exactly as God commanded. This underscores the importance of strict adherence to divine instructions in matters of worship and service, demonstrating that God cares about the details.
  • Holiness and Purity: The consistent use of "pure gold" (Hebrew: zahab tahor) for these sacred vessels signifies the unblemished holiness and sanctity demanded in God's presence. It reflects the idea that only the finest and most undefiled materials were suitable for His dwelling.
  • Purposeful Design in Worship: These vessels were not merely ornamental; each had a specific function in the priestly service related to the showbread, such as holding, serving, or pouring libations. This illustrates that every aspect of Tabernacle worship was intentional and contributed to a larger sacred purpose, as seen in Leviticus 24:5-9 regarding the showbread's placement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pure gold" (Hebrew: zahab tahor) is a recurring descriptor throughout the Tabernacle accounts, emphasizing the unblemished and refined quality of the metal. This term goes beyond mere monetary value, pointing to symbolic purity and dedication. The various terms for the vessels—dishes, spoons, bowls, and covers—indicate a comprehensive set of implements designed for every aspect of handling and presenting the showbread, from holding the loaves to collecting frankincense or pouring out libations.

Practical Application

Exodus 37:16 serves as a powerful reminder that God values excellence and intentionality in our service to Him. Just as the Tabernacle vessels were crafted from "pure gold" with divine precision, our offerings—whether our time, talents, or resources—should be given with the highest quality and purity of motive. This verse encourages believers to consider the standard of their own service, recognizing that true worship involves giving our best and aligning our actions with God's revealed will. It speaks to the broader principle that whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God, consecrating every part of our lives for His holy purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 52:18 (2 votes)

    The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.

  • Jeremiah 52:19 (2 votes)

    And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; [that] which [was] of gold [in] gold, and [that] which [was] of silver [in] silver, took the captain of the guard away.

  • Exodus 25:29 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: [of] pure gold shalt thou make them.

  • 2 Timothy 2:20 (2 votes)

    But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

  • 1 Kings 7:50 (2 votes)

    And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers [of] pure gold; and the hinges [of] gold, [both] for the doors of the inner house, the most holy [place, and] for the doors of the house, [to wit], of the temple.

  • 2 Kings 12:13 (2 votes)

    Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD: