Exodus – Chapter 38

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 38 of Exodus begins: "He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:" The chapter centers on Moses and Aaron. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:

2The horns whereof went out from the corners, and he overlaid it with plates of brass.

3And for the uses thereof, he prepared divers vessels of brass, cauldrons, tongs, fleshhooks, pothooks and firepans.

4And he made the grate thereof of brass, in manner of a net, and under it in the midst of the altar a hearth,

5Casting four rings at the four ends of the net at the top, to put in bars to carry it:

6And he made the bars of setim wood, and overlaid them with plates of brass:

7And he drew them through the rings that stood out in the sides of the altar. And the altar itself was not solid, but hollow, of boards, and empty within.

8He made also the laver of brass, with the foot thereof, of the mirrors of the women that watched at the door of the tabernacle.

9He made also the court, in the south side whereof were hangings of fine twisted linen of a hundred cubits.

10Twenty pillars of brass with their sockets, the heads of the pillars, and the whole graving of the work, of silver.

11In like manner at the north side the hangings, the pillars, and the sockets and heads of the pillars were of the same measure, and work and metal.

12But on that side that looketh to the west, there were hangings of fifty cubits, ten pillars of brass with their sockets, and the heads of the pillars, and all the graving of the work, of silver.

13Moreover, towards the east he prepared hangings of fifty cubits:

14Fifteen cubits of which, were on one side with three pillars, and their sockets:

15And on the other side (for between the two he made the entry of the tabernacle) there were hangings equally of fifteen cubits, and three pillars, and as many sockets.

16All the hangings of the court were woven with twisted linen.

17The sockets of the pillars were of brass, and their heads with all their gravings of silver: and he overlaid the pillars of the court also with silver.

18And he made in the entry thereof an embroidered hanging of violet, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen, that was twenty cubits long, and five cubits high, according to the measure of all the hangings of the court.

19And the pillars in the entry were four, with sockets of brass, and their heads and gravings of silver.

20The pins also of the tabernacle and of the court round about he made of brass.

21These are the instruments of the tabernacle of the testimony, which were counted according to the commandment of Moses, in the ceremonies of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest:

22Which Beseleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Juda, had made, as the Lord commanded by Moses.

23Having for his companion Ooliab, the son of Achisamech, of the tribe of Dan: who also was an excellent artificer in wood, and worker in tapestry and embroidery in violet, purple, scarlet, and fine linen.

24All the gold that was spent in the work of the sanctuary, and that was offered in gifts, was nine and twenty talents, and seven hundred and thirty sicles according to the standard of the sanctuary.

25And it was offered by them that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upwards, of six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty men able to bear arms.

26There were moreover a hundred talents of silver, whereof were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and of the entry where the veil hangeth.

27A hundred sockets were made of a hundred talents, one talent being reckoned for every socket.

28And of the thousand seven hundred and seventy-five he made the heads of the pillars, which also he overlaid with silver.

29And there were offered of brass also seventy-two thousand talents, and four hundred sicles besides,

30Of which were cast the sockets in the entry of the tabernacle of the testimony, and the altar of brass with the grate thereof, and also the vessels that belong to the use thereof.

31And the sockets of the court as well round about as in the entry thereof, and the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about.

Important Verses in Exodus 38

He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:

Exodus 38:1

And he made the grate thereof of brass, in manner of a net, and under it in the midst of the altar a hearth,

Exodus 38:4

Which Beseleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Juda, had made, as the Lord commanded by Moses.

Exodus 38:22

And the sockets of the court as well round about as in the entry thereof, and the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about.

Exodus 38:31

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Exodus was written with israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial in view. Chapter 38 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 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Moses and Aaron, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:" It concludes: "And the sockets of the court as well round about as in the entry thereof, and the pins of the tabernacle, and of the…" The wider setting of Exodus is this: Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around 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 38 presents a concrete episode in the history of liberation, law, and worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2340). Here, the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Moses2 mentionsAaron1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Exodus Chapter 38, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of liberation, law, and worship.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Exodus Chapter 38 supports that call by drawing attention to purity of heart and interior conversion within the wider message that God delivers His people from slavery.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2632).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 38 about?

Exodus 38 contains 31 verses. It opens with "He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:" and closes with "And the sockets of the court as well round about as in the entry thereof, and the pins of the tabernacle, and of the…". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 38?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "He made also the altar of holocaust of setim wood, five cubits square, and three in height:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 38?

This chapter mentions Moses, Aaron.

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.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles