Exodus 38:1 the Altar of burnt offering
Adam built an altar (Moses 5:5-8); Noah built an altar (Gen. 8:20); Abraham built more than one altar (Gen. 12:7; 22:9); Isaac and Jacob did the same (Gen. 26:25; 33:20; 35:7). Yet, in none of these Genesis examples do we have an explanation of the offering. Even in the entire Old Testament, the symbolism remains hidden, veiled, and unnecessarily elusive. Joseph Smith revealed that when the Law of Sacrifice was first given, the reason was explained, “This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.” (Moses 5:7) A simple statement that explains thousands of years of animal sacrifice.
Exodus 38:3 the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks
You have to have some tools on your grill. Think of what you need for your barbecue.
Exodus 38:8 he made the laver of brass
Exodus 38:8 He made the laver . . . of the lookingglasses of the women
“One of the most intriguing aspects of Exodus 38:8 is the reference to the “looking glasses of the women assembling”. The looking glasses mentioned in this verse are better understood as mirrors. In ancient Israel, mirrors were typically made of polished metal, often brass or bronze, rather than glass as we use today. The women who assembled near the entrance to the Tabernacle contributed their mirrors to the construction of the laver. This act of giving personal items for the sacred work of the Tabernacle is significant in several ways.
“Firstly, it shows the contribution of women to the Tabernacle’s construction, emphasizing their role in the spiritual life of Israel. Secondly, the mirrors themselves are symbolic. In the biblical context, mirrors were used to reflect one’s physical appearance, but they also serve as metaphors for spiritual reflection and introspection. The mirrors contributed to the laver’s construction suggest that the process of purification is not only external but also internal. To approach God, one must reflect on their own state of heart and mind, much like one looks into a mirror to examine their physical state.” (https://www.freebiblestudyhub/archives/29066)
Exodus 38:9 the hangings of the court
Exodus 38:24 All the gold
The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35-36)
The gold and silver for the construction of the tabernacle came from the Egyptians. One talent of gold is about 75 pounds (34 kg) of gold. Since one talent of gold is worth about 5.0 million US dollars (2026), 29 talents of gold is 2175 pounds (986 kg) equals 145 million dollars. There are 3000 shekels in a talent.
Exodus 38:25-31 the silver . . . and the brass
|
Precious metals of the tabernacle |
Talents/shekels |
Weight in # |
Weight in Kg |
2026 value in dollars |
|
Gold |
29/730 |
2193 |
994 |
146.7 million |
|
Silver |
100/1775 |
7544 |
3420 |
9.9 million |
|
Brass |
70/2400 |
5310 |
2407 |
16,000 |