Exodus 28-30 - Prayer Tents

Exodus 28

Clothing for the Priests

28"Call for your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Set them apart from the rest of the people of Israel so they may minister to me and be my priests.H7126H175H251H1121H8432H1121H3478H3547H175H5070H30H499H385H175H1121 2Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful.H6213H6944H899H175H251H3519H8597 3Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.H1696H2450H3820H4390H7307H2451H6213H175H899H6942H3547 4These are the garments they are to make: a chestpiece, an ephod, a robe, a patterned tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother, Aaron, and his sons to wear when they serve me as priests.H899H6213H2833H646H4598H8665H3801H4701H73H6213H6944H899H175H251H1121H3547 5So give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread.H3947H2091H8504H713H8144H8438H8336

Design of the Ephod

6"The craftsmen must make the ephod of finely woven linen and skillfully embroider it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.H6213H646H2091H8504H713H8144H8438H7806H8336H2803H4639 7It will consist of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces.H8147H3802H2266H8147H7098H2266 8The decorative sash will be made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.H2805H642H4639H2091H8504H713H8144H8438H7806H8336 9"Take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the tribes of Israel.H3947H8147H7718H68H6605H8034H1121H3478 10Six names will be on each stone, arranged in the order of the births of the original sons of Israel.H8337H8034H259H68H8337H8034H3498H8145H68H8435 11Engrave these names on the two stones in the same way a jeweler engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in settings of gold filigree.H4639H2796H68H6603H2368H6605H8147H68H8034H1121H3478H6213H4142H4865H2091 12Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the LORD.H7760H8147H68H3802H646H68H2146H1121H3478H175H5375H8034H6440H3068H8147H3802H2146 13Make the settings of gold filigree,H6213H4865H2091 14then braid two cords of pure gold and attach them to the filigree settings on the shoulders of the ephod.H8147H8333H2889H2091H4020H5688H4639H6213H5414H5688H8333H4865

Design of the Chestpiece

15"Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God. Make it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread.H6213H2833H4941H2803H4639H4639H646H6213H2091H8504H713H8144H8438H7806H8336H6213 16Make the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square.H7251H3717H2239H753H2239H7341 17Mount four rows of gemstones on it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald.H4390H4396H68H702H2905H68H2905H124H6357H1304H259H2905 18The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone.H8145H2905H5306H5601H3095 19The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst.H7992H2905H3958H7618H306 20The fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will be set in gold filigree.H7243H2905H8658H7718H3471H7660H2091H4396 21Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal.H68H8034H1121H3478H8147H6240H8034H6603H2368H376H8034H8147H6240H7626 22"To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, make braided cords of pure gold thread.H6213H2833H8331H1383H5688H4639H2889H2091 23Then make two gold rings and attach them to the top corners of the chestpiece.H6213H2833H8147H2885H2091H5414H8147H2885H8147H7098H2833 24Tie the two gold cords to the two rings on the chestpiece.H5414H8147H5688H2091H8147H2885H7098H2833 25Tie the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod.H8147H7098H8147H5688H5414H8147H4865H5414H3802H646H6440H4136 26Then make two more gold rings and attach them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod.H6213H8147H2885H2091H7760H8147H7098H2833H8193H5676H646H1004 27And make two more gold rings and attach them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash is fastened to the ephod.H8147H2885H2091H6213H5414H8147H3802H646H4295H4136H6440H5980H4225H4605H2805H646 28Then attach the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. This will hold the chestpiece securely to the ephod above the decorative sash.H7405H2833H2885H2885H646H6616H8504H2805H646H2833H2118H646 29"In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the LORD.H175H5375H8034H1121H3478H2833H4941H3820H935H6944H2146H6440H3068H8548 30Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron's heart when he goes into the LORD's presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the LORD's will for his people whenever he goes in before the LORD.H5414H2833H4941H224H8550H175H3820H935H6440H3068H175H5375H4941H1121H3478H3820H6440H3068H8548

Additional Clothing for the Priests

31"Make the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue cloth,H6213H4598H646H3632H8504 32with an opening for Aaron's head in the middle of it. Reinforce the opening with a woven collar so it will not tear.H6310H7218H8432H8193H707H4639H5439H6310H6310H8473H7167 33Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them.H7757H6213H7416H8504H713H8144H8438H5439H7757H6472H2091H8432H5439 34The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.H2091H6472H7416H2091H6472H7416H7757H4598H5439 35Aaron will wear this robe whenever he ministers before the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD's presence in the Holy Place. If he wears it, he will not die.H175H8334H6963H8085H935H6944H6440H3068H3318H4191 36"Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: HOLY TO THE LORD.H6213H6731H2889H2091H6605H6603H2368H6944H3068 37Attach the medallion with a blue cord to the front of Aaron's turban, where it must remain.H7760H8504H6616H4701H6440H4136H4701 38Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the LORD will accept the people.H175H4696H175H5375H5771H6944H1121H3478H6942H6944H4979H8548H4696H7522H6440H3068 39"Weave Aaron's patterned tunic from fine linen cloth. Fashion the turban from this linen as well. Also make a sash, and decorate it with colorful embroidery.H7660H3801H8336H6213H4701H8336H6213H73H7551H4639 40"For Aaron's sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings that are glorious and beautiful.H175H1121H6213H3801H6213H73H4021H6213H3519H8597 41Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they can serve as my priests.H3847H175H251H1121H4886H4390H3027H6942H3547 42Also make linen undergarments for them, to be worn next to their bodies, reaching from their hips to their thighs.H6213H906H4370H3680H1320H6172H4975H3409 43These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their priestly duties. Then they will not incur guilt and die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and all his descendants after him.H175H1121H935H168H4150H5066H4196H8334H6944H5375H5771H4191H2708H5769H2233H310

Exodus 29

Dedication of the Priests

29"This is the ceremony you must follow when you consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams with no defects.H1697H6213H6942H3547H3947H259H1121H1241H6499H8147H352H85492Then, using choice wheat flour and no yeast, make loaves of bread, thin cakes mixed with olive oil, and wafers spread with oil.H4682H3899H2471H4682H1101H8081H7550H4682H4886H8081H2406H5560H62133Place them all in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams.H5414H259H5536H7126H5536H6499H8147H3524"Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.H175H1121H7126H6607H168H4150H7364H43255Dress Aaron in his priestly garments—the tunic, the robe worn with the ephod, the ephod itself, and the chestpiece. Then wrap the decorative sash of the ephod around him.H3947H899H3847H175H3801H4598H646H646H2833H640H2805H6466Place the turban on his head, and fasten the sacred medallion to the turban.H7760H4701H7218H5414H6944H5145H47017Then anoint him by pouring the anointing oil over his head.H3947H4888H8081H3332H7218H48868Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics.H7126H1121H3847H38019Wrap the sashes around the waists of Aaron and his sons, and put their special head coverings on them. Then the right to the priesthood will be theirs by law forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons.H2296H73H175H1121H2280H4021H3550H5769H2708H4390H3027H175H112110"Bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head.H6499H7126H6440H168H4150H175H1121H5564H3027H7218H649911Then slaughter the bull in the LORD's presence at the entrance of the Tabernacle.H7819H6499H6440H3068H6607H168H415012Put some of its blood on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest at the base of the altar.H3947H1818H6499H5414H7161H4196H676H8210H1818H413H3247H419613Take all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, and burn it all on the altar.H3947H2459H3680H7130H3508H3516H8147H3629H2459H6999H419614Then take the rest of the bull, including its hide, meat, and dung, and burn it outside the camp as a sin offering.H1320H6499H5785H6569H8313H784H2351H4264H240315"Next Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the head of one of the rams.H3947H259H352H175H1121H5564H3027H7218H35216Then slaughter the ram, and splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.H7819H352H3947H1818H2236H5439H419617Cut the ram into pieces, and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body,H5408H352H5409H7364H7130H3767H5414H5409H721818then burn the entire animal on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the LORD; it is a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the LORD.H6999H352H4196H5930H3068H5207H7381H801H306819"Now take the other ram, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head.H3947H8145H352H175H1121H5564H3027H7218H35220Then slaughter it, and apply some of its blood to the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands and the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.H7819H352H3947H1818H5414H8571H241H175H8571H3233H241H1121H931H3233H3027H931H3233H7272H2236H1818H4196H543921Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.H3947H1818H4196H4888H8081H5137H175H899H1121H899H1121H6942H899H1121H1121H89922"Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh.H3947H352H2459H451H2459H3680H7130H3508H3516H8147H3629H2459H3225H7785H352H439423Then take one round loaf of bread, one thin cake mixed with olive oil, and one wafer from the basket of bread without yeast that was placed in the LORD's presence.H259H3603H3899H259H2471H8081H259H7550H5536H4682H6440H306824Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons to be lifted up as a special offering to the LORD.H7760H3709H175H3709H1121H5130H8573H6440H306825Afterward take the various breads from their hands, and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering. It is a pleasing aroma to the LORD, a special gift for him.H3947H3027H6999H4196H5930H5207H7381H6440H3068H801H306826Then take the breast of Aaron's ordination ram, and lift it up in the LORD's presence as a special offering to him. Then keep it as your own portion.H3947H2373H352H175H4394H5130H8573H6440H3068H449027"Set aside the portions of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up before the LORD as a special offering.H6942H2373H8573H7785H8641H5130H7311H352H4394H834H175H112128In the future, whenever the people of Israel lift up a peace offering, a portion of it must be set aside for Aaron and his descendants. This is their permanent right, and it is a sacred offering from the Israelites to the LORD.H175H1121H2706H5769H1121H3478H8641H8641H1121H3478H2077H8002H8641H306829"Aaron's sacred garments must be preserved for his descendants who succeed him, and they will wear them when they are anointed and ordained.H6944H899H175H1121H310H4888H4390H302730The descendant who succeeds him as high priest will wear these clothes for seven days as he ministers in the Tabernacle and the Holy Place.H1121H3548H3847H7651H3117H935H168H4150H8334H694431"Take the ram used in the ordination ceremony, and boil its meat in a sacred place.H3947H352H4394H1310H1320H6918H472532Then Aaron and his sons will eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance.H175H1121H398H1320H352H3899H5536H6607H168H415033They alone may eat the meat and bread used for their purification in the ordination ceremony. No one else may eat them, for these things are set apart and holy.H398H3722H4390H3027H6942H2114H398H694434If any of the ordination meat or bread remains until the morning, it must be burned. It may not be eaten, for it is holy.H1320H4394H3899H3498H1242H8313H3498H784H398H694435"This is how you will ordain Aaron and his sons to their offices, just as I have commanded you. The ordination ceremony will go on for seven days.H6213H175H1121H6680H7651H3117H4390H302736Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the LORD. Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it; make it holy by anointing it with oil.H6213H3117H6499H2403H3725H2398H4196H3722H4886H694237Purify the altar, and consecrate it every day for seven days. After that, the altar will be absolutely holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.H7651H3117H3722H4196H6942H4196H6944H6944H5060H4196H694238"These are the sacrifices you are to offer regularly on the altar. Each day, offer two lambs that are a year old,H6213H4196H8147H3532H1121H8141H3117H3117H854839one in the morning and the other in the evening.H259H3532H6213H1242H8145H3532H6213H615340With one of them, offer two quarts of choice flour mixed with one quart of pure oil of pressed olives; also, offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering.H259H3532H6241H5560H1101H7253H1969H3795H8081H7243H1969H3196H526241Offer the other lamb in the evening, along with the same offerings of flour and wine as in the morning. It will be a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the LORD.H8145H3532H6213H6153H6213H4503H1242H5262H5207H7381H801H306842"These burnt offerings are to be made each day from generation to generation. Offer them in the LORD's presence at the Tabernacle entrance; there I will meet with you and speak with you.H8548H5930H1755H6607H168H4150H6440H3068H3259H169643I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence.H3259H1121H3478H6942H351944Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.H6942H168H4150H4196H6942H175H1121H354745Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God,H7931H8432H1121H3478H43046and they will know that I am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the LORD their God.H3045H3068H430H3318H776H4714H7931H8432H3068H430

Exodus 30

Plans for the Incense Altar

30"Then make another altar of acacia wood for burning incense.H6213H4196H4729H7004H7848H6086H62132Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.H520H753H520H7341H7251H520H6967H71613Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar.H6823H2889H2091H1406H7023H5439H7161H6213H2213H2091H54394Make two gold rings, and attach them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles.H8147H2091H2885H6213H2213H8147H6763H8147H6654H6213H1004H905H5375H19925Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.H6213H905H7848H6086H6823H20916Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark's cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. I will meet with you there.H5414H6440H6532H727H5715H6440H3727H5715H32597"Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.H175H6999H5561H7004H1242H3190H5216H69998And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the LORD's presence. This must be done from generation to generation.H175H5927H5216H6153H6999H8548H7004H6440H3068H17559Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings.H5927H2114H7004H5930H4503H5258H526210"Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD's most holy altar."H175H3722H7161H259H8141H1818H2403H3725H259H8141H3722H1755H6944H6944H3068

Money for the Tabernacle

11Then the LORD said to Moses,H3068H1696H4872H55912"Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.H5375H7218H1121H3478H6485H5414H376H3724H5315H3068H6485H5063H648513Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the LORD. (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)H5414H5674H5921H6485H4276H8255H8255H6944H8255H6242H1626H4276H8255H8641H306814All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the LORD.H5674H6485H6242H8141H1121H4605H5414H8641H306815When this offering is given to the LORD to purify your lives, making you right with him, the rich must not give more than the specified amount, and the poor must not give less.H6223H7235H1800H4591H4276H8255H5414H8641H3068H3722H531516Receive this ransom money from the Israelites, and use it for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring the Israelites to the LORD's attention, and it will purify your lives."H3947H3725H3701H1121H3478H5414H5656H168H4150H2146H1121H3478H6440H3068H3722H5315

Plans for the Washbasin

17Then the LORD said to Moses,H3068H1696H4872H55918"Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.H6213H3595H5178H3653H5178H7364H5414H168H4150H4196H5414H432519Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there.H175H1121H7364H3027H727220They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the LORD—or they will die!H935H168H4150H7364H4325H4191H5066H4196H8334H6999H801H306821They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation."H7364H3027H7272H4191H2706H5769H2233H1755

The Anointing Oil

22Then the LORD said to Moses,H3068H1696H4872H55923"Collect choice spices—12 1/2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1/4 pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6 1/4 pounds of fragrant calamus,H3947H7218H1314H1865H4753H2568H3967H1314H7076H4276H4276H3967H2572H1314H7070H3967H257224and 12 1/2 pounds of cassia—as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Also get one gallon of olive oil.H6916H2568H3967H8255H6944H8081H2132H196925Like a skilled incense maker, blend these ingredients to make a holy anointing oil.H6213H8081H6944H4888H7545H4842H4639H7543H6944H4888H808126Use this sacred oil to anoint the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant,H4886H168H4150H727H571527the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its accessories, the incense altar,H7979H3627H4501H3627H4196H700428the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the washbasin with its stand.H4196H5930H3627H3595H365329Consecrate them to make them absolutely holy. After this, whatever touches them will also become holy.H6942H6944H6944H5060H694230"Anoint Aaron and his sons also, consecrating them to serve me as priests.H4886H175H1121H6942H354731And say to the people of Israel, 'This holy anointing oil is reserved for me from generation to generation.H1696H1121H3478H559H6944H4888H8081H175532It must never be used to anoint anyone else, and you must never make any blend like it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.H120H1320H3251H6213H4971H6944H694433Anyone who makes a blend like it or anoints someone other than a priest will be cut off from the community.'"H834H376H7543H5414H2114H3772H5971

The Incense

34Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.H3068H559H4872H3947H5561H5198H7827H2464H5561H5561H2134H3828H905H90535Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to produce a pure and holy incense.H6213H7004H7545H4639H7543H4414H2889H694436Grind some of the mixture into a very fine powder and put it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. You must treat this incense as most holy.H7833H1854H5414H6440H5715H168H4150H3259H6944H694437Never use this formula to make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy.H7004H6213H6213H4971H6944H306838Anyone who makes incense like this for personal use will be cut off from the community."H834H376H6213H7306H3772H5971