Exodus 38:1-31

Exodus 38. P s. Altar, Laver, and Court. The great altar of burnt-offering is now so distinguished in Exodus 38:1 (in Exodus 27:1 * it is the altar). The laver is briefly mentioned (Exodus 38:8 a, cf. Exodus 30:18), the reference to the mirrors of the host of women (Exodus 38:8 b) being regarded as a gloss because presupposing the erection of the Tent. In Exodus 38:9 the Outer Court is described (cf. Exodus 27:9), the latter part containing variations. In Exodus 38:15 the words on this hand. court, not in Exodus 27:15, are an obvious gloss, misplaced here. In Exodus 38:21 we have a late supplement specifying the metals used. The census of Numbers 1 and the appointment of Levites in Numbers 3 are presupposed, and the poll-tax for maintenance is taken as a contribution of silver for manufacture into utensils. Driver renders Exodus 38:21, These are the reckoning of (the metals employed for) the Dwelling, even the Dwelling of the testimony, which were reckoned. Moses; (being) the work of the Levites, under the hand of Ithamar. Then in Exodus 38:22 f. the leading craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, are reintroduced. The silver reckoned in Exodus 38:25 is solely the product of the tax, worth £ 16,262 at present rates; and the silver given according to Exodus 35:5; Exodus 35:24 is ignored. Three specimens of the beka (Exodus 38:26) have been found in Palestine, their weight averaging under 100 grains, indicating that they were Phœ nician half-shekels of 112 grains when new.