New International VersionHe overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
New Living TranslationHe overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it.
English Standard VersionAnd he overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it.
Berean Standard BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
King James BibleAnd he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
New King James VersionHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it.
New American Standard Bibleand he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.
NASB 1995and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.
NASB 1977and he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.
Legacy Standard Bibleand he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a gold molding for it all around.
Amplified BibleAnd he overlaid it with pure gold inside and out, and made a molding (border) of gold to go all around [the top of it].
Christian Standard BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and made a gold molding all around it.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and out and made a gold molding all around it.
American Standard VersionAnd he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
Contemporary English VersionHe covered it inside and out with pure gold and put a gold edging around the top.
English Revised Versionand he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHe covered it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold molding around it.
Good News TranslationHe covered it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold border all around it.
International Standard VersionHe overlaid it with pure gold, inside and outside, and made a gold molding around it.
NET BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out, and he made a surrounding border of gold for it.
New Heart English BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.
World English BibleHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he overlays it with pure gold inside and outside, and makes a wreath of gold for it all around;
Young's Literal Translation and he overlayeth it with pure gold within and without, and maketh for it a wreath of gold round about;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will spread it over with pure gold within and without, and he will make to it a gold wreath round about. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he made to it a crown of gold round about,
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd for it he made a crown of gold all around,
New American BibleThe inside and outside were plated with gold, and a molding of gold was put around it.
New Revised Standard VersionHe overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold around it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold for it round about.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he overlaid it in pure gold from within and from outside and he made for it a crown of gold as a circle. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
Brenton Septuagint Translationand overlaid it with pure gold within and without;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Constructing the Ark1Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2He overlaidit with puregold,both insideand out,and madea goldmoldingaround it.3And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.…
Cross References Exodus 25:11Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.
1 Kings 6:20-22The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. / So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. / So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.
1 Kings 7:48-50Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.
2 Chronicles 3:4-10The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. / He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains. / He adorned the temple with precious stones for beauty, and its gold was from Parvaim. ...
2 Chronicles 4:19-22Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...
Hebrews 9:4containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Revelation 11:19Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Numbers 10:33So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.
Deuteronomy 10:3So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands.
1 Samuel 4:4So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
2 Samuel 6:2And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.
1 Chronicles 13:6David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.
1 Chronicles 28:18the weight of the refined gold for the altar of incense; and the plans for the chariot of the gold cherubim that spread their wings and overshadowed the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
Psalm 132:8Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.
Jeremiah 3:16“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.
Treasury of Scripture And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about. Jump to Previous BestBorderCrownEdgeGoldInsideMakethMoldingOutsideOverlaidOverlayethPlatingPurePuttingRoundWithinWreathJump to Next BestBorderCrownEdgeGoldInsideMakethMoldingOutsideOverlaidOverlayethPlatingPurePuttingRoundWithinWreathExodus 37 1.The ark and mercy seat with cherubim made10.The table of showbread with its vessels17.The candlestick with its lamps and instruments25.The altar of incense29.The anointing oil and sweet incenseHe overlaid it with pure goldThe use of pure gold signifies the holiness and divine nature of the Ark of the Covenant. Gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, symbolizes purity and the glory of God. In the ancient Near East, gold was often associated with royalty and deity, underscoring the Ark's role as the earthly throne of God. This overlaying with gold also prefigures the divine nature of Jesus Christ, who is described as pure and without blemish. both inside and out
Covering the Ark both inside and out with gold emphasizes the completeness and perfection required in the worship of God. This dual covering can be seen as a reflection of the inner and outer purity expected of believers, aligning with the biblical theme that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It also points to the comprehensive nature of Christ's righteousness, which covers believers entirely. and made a gold molding around it
The gold molding around the Ark served both a decorative and functional purpose, preventing the cover from slipping. This molding can be seen as a type of the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head, symbolizing His kingship and the suffering He endured. The molding also signifies the boundary between the holy and the profane, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, reminding believers of the separation between God's holiness and human sinfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. BezalelThe skilled craftsman chosen by God to construct the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant. He was filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship ( Exodus 31:1-5). 2. Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel. It was central to Israel's worship and symbolized God's presence among His people. 3. TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey through the wilderness. It was a place of meeting between God and His people. 4. GoldA precious metal used extensively in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, symbolizing purity, value, and the divine nature of God. 5. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Teaching Points Symbolism of GoldGold's use in the Ark signifies the purity and holiness required in approaching God. As believers, we are called to pursue holiness in our lives, reflecting God's nature. God's PresenceThe Ark, overlaid with gold, was a tangible representation of God's presence. Today, through Christ, we have direct access to God's presence, and our lives should reflect His glory. Craftsmanship and ExcellenceBezalel's work on the Ark reminds us of the importance of using our God-given talents with excellence for His glory. Whatever we do, we should do it as unto the Lord. Covenant RelationshipThe Ark housed the tablets of the covenant, reminding us of the importance of living in obedience to God's Word and maintaining a covenant relationship with Him. Spiritual SignificanceThe physical beauty and value of the Ark point to the spiritual beauty and worth of a life dedicated to God. We are called to be vessels of honor, set apart for His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 37:2?
2.How does Exodus 37:2 demonstrate God's attention to detail in craftsmanship?
3.What does the use of "pure gold" symbolize in Exodus 37:2?
4.How can we apply the principle of excellence from Exodus 37:2 today?
5.How does Exodus 37:2 connect to the broader theme of holiness in Exodus?
6.In what ways can we honor God through our work, as seen in Exodus 37:2?
7.How does Exodus 37:2 reflect the craftsmanship and artistry valued in biblical times?
8.What significance does the gold overlay in Exodus 37:2 hold in biblical symbolism?
9.How does Exodus 37:2 demonstrate the importance of following divine instructions precisely?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 37?
11.What is the Bread of the Presence?
12.Exodus 37:25-29: Is there any historical or extrabiblical record to confirm the special incense formula mentioned, or does it appear only in biblical tradition?
13.Exodus 37:10-16: Where did they obtain enough high-quality timber and gold to construct a table so precisely, and is there archaeological evidence of such abundance?
14.Exodus 37:1-9: How could ancient desert nomads craft such detailed cherubim from pure gold with the tools and resources supposedly available?What Does Exodus 37:2 Mean He overlaid it with pure gold- The craftsman, Bezalel, follows God’s explicit instruction fromExodus 25:11, underscoring Scripture’s literal reliability. - Pure gold points to: • Perfection and incorruptibility (Revelation 21:18–21). • Supreme value, mirroring the worthiness of God’s presence (1 Kings 6:20–22). - Gold’s brilliance reminds us that “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). - The overlay, not merely plating in spots, stresses total devotion—no room for mixture (James 1:8).
both inside and out- Covering every surface teaches that holiness is not cosmetic; God requires purity of heart and action (Psalm 24:3-4). - Jesus echoes the same principle: “First clean the inside of the cup… so that its outside may also become clean” (Matthew 23:26). - Integrity is a seamless unity; the Ark’s concealed interior shines as brightly as its visible exterior, modeling honest discipleship (Proverbs 11:3).
and made a gold molding around it- The molding (a decorative border) forms a crown-like edge, marking the Ark as uniquely royal (Exodus 30:3;Psalm 47:7-9). - It protects and frames what is sacred, just as God’s commands guard His covenant people (Deuteronomy 33:3). - The visual “border” also hints at separation from common use, calling worshipers to be set apart (1 Peter 1:15-16).
summaryExodus 37:2 records painstaking obedience to God’s pattern, revealing that: - Total purity (gold) belongs to God alone, yet He invites His people to reflect His holiness. - True righteousness covers the hidden and the seen—inside and out. - God establishes clear, beautiful boundaries around what He treasures, and His people thrive within them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew He overlaidוַיְצַפֵּ֛הוּ(way·ṣap·pê·hū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6823:To lay out, lay overit with pureטָה֖וֹר(ṭā·hō·wr)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889:Clean, puregold,זָהָ֥ב(zā·hāḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear skyboth insideמִבַּ֣יִת(mib·ba·yiṯ)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004:A houseand out,וּמִח֑וּץ(ū·mi·ḥūṣ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2351:Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoorsand madeוַיַּ֥עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makea goldזָהָ֖ב(zā·hāḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear skymoldingזֵ֥ר(zêr)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2213:A chaplet, a border mouldingall around it.סָבִֽיב׃(sā·ḇîḇ)Adverb
Strong's 5439:A circle, neighbour, environs, around
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OT Law: Exodus 37:2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside (Exo. Ex) |
