And they are to make a sanctuary for MeThis phrase introduces the divine command for the Israelites to construct a sanctuary, which is a sacred place set apart for worship and the presence of God. The term "sanctuary" implies holiness and separation from the ordinary. In the context of the Exodus narrative, this sanctuary is the Tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for God as the Israelites journey through the wilderness. The construction of the sanctuary is a significant moment in Israelite history, as it represents God's desire to be present with His people. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, found in the subsequent chapters, emphasize the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. The sanctuary also prefigures the Temple in Jerusalem and, ultimately, the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the true temple (
John 2:19-21).
so that I may dwell among them
This phrase highlights God's intention to be intimately present with His people. The concept of God dwelling among His people is central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often associated with specific locations or temples, but the God of Israel chooses to dwell among His people wherever they are. This presence is both a privilege and a responsibility, as it requires the Israelites to maintain holiness and obedience. The idea of God dwelling among His people finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who is called "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). Additionally, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers, as described in the New Testament, continues this theme of God's presence among His people (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and receive the Law, including the instructions for the sanctuary.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are instructed to build the sanctuary as a place for God's presence among them.
3.
SanctuaryA sacred place to be constructed by the Israelites as a dwelling place for God among His people. It symbolizes God's desire to be present with His people.
4.
Mount SinaiThe location where God gives Moses the instructions for the sanctuary, along with the rest of the Law.
5.
TabernacleThe portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, which the sanctuary instructions pertain to.
Teaching Points
God's Desire for RelationshipGod’s instruction to build a sanctuary highlights His desire to be in close relationship with His people. This reflects His love and commitment to dwell among us.
Holiness and ReverenceThe sanctuary was a holy place, set apart for God. This teaches us the importance of approaching God with reverence and maintaining holiness in our lives.
Community and ContributionThe Israelites were to contribute materials for the sanctuary, showing that God’s dwelling place is a community effort. We are called to contribute our gifts and resources to the body of Christ.
God's Presence in Our LivesJust as God dwelled among the Israelites, He desires to dwell in our hearts today. We should cultivate an awareness of His presence in our daily lives.
Fulfillment in ChristThe sanctuary points forward to Jesus, who is the ultimate manifestation of God dwelling among us. Our relationship with God is now mediated through Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 25:8?
2.How can we create a "sanctuary" for God in our daily lives today?
3.What does "dwell among them" in Exodus 25:8 reveal about God's desire?
4.How does Exodus 25:8 connect to 1 Corinthians 3:16 about God's presence?
5.Why is obedience important in building a place for God to dwell?
6.How can Exodus 25:8 inspire our church community to prioritize God's presence?
7.What does Exodus 25:8 reveal about God's desire to dwell among His people?
8.How does Exodus 25:8 influence the understanding of God's presence in the Old Testament?
9.Why was a sanctuary necessary for God according to Exodus 25:8?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 25?
11.What is the Bible's view on organized religion?
12.What is the biblical view on church buildings' importance?
13.What are the three biblical tabernacles?
14.What defines the Sanctuary Movement?What Does Exodus 25:8 Mean
And they are to makeGod’s opening words place responsibility squarely on His people. Obedience is not optional.
•Exodus 24:3 reports, “All the people answered with one voice, ‘Everything the LORD has spoken, we will do.’ ” Their earlier pledge now faces a tangible test.
•James 1:22 reminds believers to be “doers of the word,” echoing this same call.
• The plural “they” underscores community involvement; every tribe contributed (Exodus 35:20-29). Worship is never a spectator sport.
• By commanding construction, God affirms the goodness of skilled work (Exodus 31:1-6) and material contributions offered in faith (2 Corinthians 9:7).
a sanctuary for MeThe purpose of the project is clarified: holiness set apart for God Himself.
• “Sanctuary” (Exodus 25:8) signals a place that is distinctly His, much like the “holy ground” ofExodus 3:5.
•Exodus 29:44-46 promises, “I will consecrate the tent of meeting… and I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.” The objects become holy because He inhabits them.
•Psalm 132:13-14 declares, “For the LORD has chosen Zion… ‘This is My resting place forever.’ ” The tabernacle foreshadows the later temple and, ultimately, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22).
•1 Corinthians 3:16 applies the principle to believers: “You yourselves are God’s temple.” God still seeks sanctuaries—now living ones.
so that I may dwellGod’s aim is relationship, not mere ritual.
•Leviticus 26:11-12 promises, “I will put My dwelling place among you… I will walk among you and be your God.” The tabernacle fulfills that pledge.
•John 1:14 proclaims, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” Jesus embodies the divine presence the tent only symbolized.
•Acts 2:4 records the Spirit filling the gathered disciples, proving God’s ongoing desire to dwell within His people.
•Revelation 21:3 looks forward: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.” From Eden (Genesis 3:8) to eternity, His heart is to live with us.
among themGod does not remain distant; He inserts Himself into daily camp life.
•Numbers 2 lays out tribal positions around the tabernacle—God literally at the center.
•Deuteronomy 23:14 urges purity because “the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp.”
•Matthew 18:20 assures, “Where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” Community remains His chosen context.
•Ephesians 2:22 celebrates believers “being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit,” emphasizing unity over isolation.
summaryExodus 25:8 reveals a God who commands His people to active obedience, calls them to set apart holy space, desires intimate fellowship, and chooses to reside right in the middle of their lives. The tabernacle was the first visible step; Christ and His indwelling Spirit are the ultimate fulfillment, and eternity with Him is the final goal.
THE SANCTUARY AND ITS CONTENTS.
(8)Let them make me a sanctuary.--The enumeration of the gifts (Exodus 25:3-7) has been subordinate to this. Hitherto Israel had had no place of worship, no structure dedicated to God. God now brings this state of things to an end, by requiring them to "make him a sanctuary." In Egypt they had seen structures of vast size and extraordinary magnificence erected in every city for the worship of the Egyptian gods. They are now to have their own structure, their "holy place," their "house of God." As, however, they are still in a nomadic condition, without fixed abode, continually shifting their quarters, a building, in the ordinary sense of the word, would have been unsuitable. They must soon have quitted it or have foregone their hopes of Palestine. God therefore devised for them a structure in harmony with their condition--a "tent-temple"--modelled on the ordinary form of the better Oriental tents, but of the best materials and of an unusual size--yet still portable. It is this structure, with its contents and its adjuncts, which forms the main subject of the rest of the book of Exodus, and which is now minutely and elaborately described in six consecutive chapters (Exodus 25-30)
That I may dwell among them.--CompareExodus 29:42-46;Exodus 40:34-38. Though God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48), is not confined to them, cannot be comprehended within them, yet since it pleases Him to manifest Himself especially in such abodes, He may be well said to "dwell there" in a peculiar manner. His dwelling with Israel was not purely spiritual. From time to time He manifested Himself sensibly in the Holy of Holies, where He dwelt continually, and might be consulted by the temporal ruler of the nation.
Verses 8, 9. - GENERAL DIRECTIONS. After the gifts which God will accept have been specified, and the spirit in which they are to be offered noted (ver. 2), God proceeds to unfold his purpose, and declare the object for which the gifts are needed. He will have a "sanctuary" constructed for him, an habitation in which he may "dwell." Now, it is certainly possible to conceive of a religion which should admit nothing in the nature of a temple or sanctuary; and there are even writers who tell us that a religion has actually existed without one (Herod. 1:131, Strab. 15. pp, 1039-41) That God should "dwell" in a house, as a man does, is of course impossible; and the Hebrews were as deeply impressed with this truth as any other nation (
1 Kings 8:27;
2 Chronicles 2:6;
Isaiah 56:1;
Jeremiah 23:24, etc.). But a religion without a temple was probably unknown in the days of Moses; and, with such a people as the Hebrews, it is inconceivable that religion could have maintained its ground for long without something of the kind. "It was," as Kalisch says, "above all things necessary to create a firm and visible centre of monotheism, to keep perpetually the idea of the one omnipotent God alive in the minds of the people, and so to exclude for ever a relapse into the pagan and idolatrous aberrations" (
Comment on Exodus, p. 365). A sanctuary was therefore to be constructed; but, as the nation was in the peculiar position of being nomadic, without fixed abode, that is, and constantly on the move, the usual form of a permanent building was unsuitable under the circumstances. To meet the difficulty, a tent-temple was designed, which is called
mishkan, "the dwelling," or
ohel, "the tent," which was simply an Oriental tent on a large scale, made of the best obtainable materials, and guarded by an enclosure. The details of the work are reserved for later mention. In the present passage two directions only are given: -
1. A sanctuary is to be constructed; and
2. Both it, and all its vessels, are to be made after patterns which God was about to show to Moses.Verse 8. -A sanctuary well expresses the Hebrewmicdash, which is derived from cadash - "to be holy." It is a name never given to the temples of the heathen deities.That I may dwell among them. CompareExodus 29:45;Numbers 35:34. There is a sense in which "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands"(Acts 7:48;Acts 17:24) -i.e., he is not comprehended in them, or confined to them; but there is another sense in which he may be truly said to dwell in them, viz., as manifesting himself in them either to the senses, or to the spirit. In the tabernacle he manifested himself sensibly (Exodus 40:34, 35, 38).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And they are to makeוְעָ֥שׂוּ(wə·‘ā·śū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213:To do, makea sanctuaryמִקְדָּ֑שׁ(miq·dāš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4720:A consecrated thing, place, a palace, sanctuary, asylumfor Me,לִ֖י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewso that I may dwellוְשָׁכַנְתִּ֖י(wə·šā·ḵan·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7931:To settle down, abide, dwellamong them.בְּתוֹכָֽם׃(bə·ṯō·w·ḵām)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centre
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OT Law: Exodus 25:8 Let them make me a sanctuary that (Exo. Ex) 
