Exodus 39

Read Exodus 39. Exodus 39 opens with the tabernacle craftsmen making the finely woven garments for ministering in the holy place, along with the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. The ephod was fashioned from gold thread twisted together with blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine linen, skillfully worked. Gold was hammered into thin sheets and cut into wires to be woven in with the colored threads. Two shoulder pieces were attached to join the ephod together, and a finely woven band of the same materials was used to fasten it in place. The onyx stones for the shoulder pieces were then set in gold filigree settings and engraved like signets with the names of the sons of Israel, serving as memorial stones, again fulfilling the LORD's instructions to Moses. Next came the breastplate, made with the same rich materials as the ephod and folded double to form a square, a span in length and width. Four rows of precious stones were mounted on it, three stones per row, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes, like signets. Chains of pure gold were twisted like cords, and gold rings and settings were made to attach the breastplate securely to the ephod — two gold cords connecting it at the top to the shoulder pieces, and blue cord connecting rings at the bottom to the ephod's band, so that the breastplate would not come loose from the ephod, exactly as the LORD had commanded. The robe worn under the ephod was woven entirely of blue cloth, with an opening at the top like the opening of a coat of mail, bound with a woven edge so it wouldn't tear. Around its hem the workers made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet thread with fine linen, alternating with bells of pure gold, so that gold bells and pomegranates alternated all around the hem of the robe, to be worn for the ministry — again as the LORD had commanded. The craftsmen also made the tunics of fine linen for Aaron and his sons, the mitre and ornamental bonnets of fine linen, the linen undergarments, and the sash of fine twisted linen embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, all according to the LORD's command to Moses. Finally, the gold plate for the holy crown was made of pure gold and engraved like a signet with the words "HOLINESS TO THE LORD." It was fastened to the mitre with a blue cord, set on the front of the mitre, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. With all this detailed work finished, all the work of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites had done everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, frames, bars, pillars, and bases; the covering of ram skins dyed red and the covering of fine leather; the vail for the screen; the ark of the covenant with its poles and the mercy seat; the table with its utensils and the shewbread; the pure gold lampstand with its lamps and utensils and oil; the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent; the bronze altar with its grate, poles, and utensils; the basin with its stand; the hangings for the courtyard with their pillars and bases, and the screen for the gate of the court with its cords and pegs; and all the furnishings for the service of the tabernacle. All the work had been done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses. Exodus 39 closes with Moses inspecting all the work and finding that it had indeed been done just as the LORD had commanded, and Moses blessed the people for their faithful work.