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-Judges : (in Exodus 27:1-Ruth : * it is “ the altar” ). The laver is briefly mentioned ( Exodus 38:8 a, cf. Exodus 30:18-Ecclesiastes :), 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-Proverbs : the Outer Court is described ( cf. Exodus 27:9-Psalms :), 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-Obadiah : 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-Hosea : 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.