Exodus – Chapter 36

Old Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 36 of Exodus begins: "Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work artificially, made…" Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: wisdom for daily living and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work artificially, made the things that are necessary for the uses of the sanctuary, and which the Lord commanded.

2And when Moses had called them, and every skilful man, to whom the Lord had given wisdom, and such as of their own accord had offered themselves to the making of the work,

3He delivered all the offerings of the children of Israel unto them. And while they were earnest about the work, the people daily in the morning offered their vows.

4Whereupon the workmen being constrained to come,

5Said to Moses: The people offereth more than is necessary.

6Moses therefore commanded proclamation to be made by the crier's voice: Let neither man nor woman offer any more for the work of the sanctuary. And so they ceased from offering gifts,

7Because the things that were offered did suffice, and were too much.

8And all the men that were wise of heart, to accomplish the work of the tabernacle, made ten curtains of twisted fine linen, and violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, with varied work, and the art of embroidering:

9The length of one curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth four: all the curtains were of the same size.

10And he joined five curtains, one to another, and the other five he coupled one to another.

11He made also loops of violet in the edge of one curtain on both sides, and in the edge of the other curtain in like manner,

12That the loops might meet one against another, and might be joined each with the other.

13Whereupon also he cast fifty rings of gold, that might catch the loops of the curtains, and they might be made one tabernacle.

14He made also eleven curtains of goats' hair, to cover the roof of the tabernacle:

15One curtain was thirty cubits long, and four cubits broad: all the curtains were of one measure.

16Five of which he joined apart, and the other six apart.

17And he made fifty loops in the edge of one curtain, and fifty in the edge of another curtain, that they might be joined one to another.

18And fifty buckles of brass wherewith the roof might be knit together, that of all the curtains there might be made one covering.

19He made also a cover for the tabernacle of rams' skins dyed red; and another cover over that of violet skins.

20He made also the boards of the tabernacle of setim wood standing.

21The length of one board was ten cubits; and the breadth was one cubit and a half.

22There were two mortises throughout every board, that one might be joined to the other. And in this manner he made for all the boards of the tabernacle.

23Of which twenty were at the south side southward,

24With forty sockets of silver, two sockets were put under one board on the two sides of the corners, where the mortises of the sides end in the corners.

25At that side also of the tabernacle, that looketh towards the north, he made twenty boards,

26With forty sockets of silver, two sockets for every board.

27But against the west, to wit, at that side of the tabernacle, which looketh to the sea, he made six boards,

28And two others at each corner of the tabernacle behind:

29Which were also joined from beneath unto the top, and went together into one joint. Thus he did on both sides at the corners:

30So there were in all eight boards, and they had sixteen sockets of silver, to wit, two sockets under every board.

31He made also bars of setim wood, five to hold together the boards of one side of the tabernacle,

32And five others to join together the boards of the other side; and besides these, five other bars at the west side of the tabernacle towards the sea.

33He made also another bar, that might come by the midst of the boards from corner to corner.

34And the boards themselves he overlaid with gold casting for them sockets of silver. And their rings he made of gold, through which the bars might be drawn: and he covered the bars themselves with plates of gold.

35He made also a veil of violet, and purple, scarlet and fine twisted linen, varied and distinguished with embroidery:

36And four pillars of setim wood, which with their heads he overlaid with gold, casting for them sockets of silver.

37He made also a hanging in the entry of the tabernacle of violet, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen, with the work of an embroiderer.

38And five pillars with their heads, which he covered with gold, and their sockets he cast of brass.

Important Verses in Exodus 36

Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work artificially, made the things that are necessary for the uses of the sanctuary, and which the Lord commanded.

Exodus 36:1

Whereupon the workmen being constrained to come,

Exodus 36:4

And all the men that were wise of heart, to accomplish the work of the tabernacle, made ten curtains of twisted fine linen, and violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, with varied work, and the art of embroidering:

Exodus 36:8

And five pillars with their heads, which he covered with gold, and their sockets he cast of brass.

Exodus 36:38

Historical Context

Exodus addresses israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 36 of 40 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work…" It concludes: "And five pillars with their heads, which he covered with gold, and their sockets he cast of brass. " Read against its original backdrop, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Exodus 36 presents a concrete episode in the history of liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work artificially, made the things that are…" The passage repeatedly touches on wisdom for daily living.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of liberation, law, and worship. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2578).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Moses3 mentions

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Exodus Chapter 36, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

As you continue through Exodus, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 36 about?

Exodus 36 contains 38 verses. It opens with "Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work…" and closes with "And five pillars with their heads, which he covered with gold, and their sockets he cast of brass. ". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 36?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Beseleel therefore, and Ooliab, and every wise man, to whom the Lord gave wisdom and understanding, to know how to work artificially, made the things that are necessary for the…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 36?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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