Exodus 37:1 - Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

Generated Verse: Exodus 37:1

What does "Exodus 37:1" mean?


This verse is describing the creation of the Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object for the Israelites, by Bezalel. Let's break it down:

"Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood." - Bezalel was a skilled craftsman appointed by God to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. He used acacia wood, a durable and readily available wood in the desert, for the Ark's basic structure.

"Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height." - These are the dimensions of the Ark. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, generally considered to be the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Estimates vary, but it's typically around 18 inches (45 cm). Therefore:

Length: 2.5 cubits would be approximately 45 inches (112.5 cm).
Width: 1.5 cubits would be approximately 27 inches (67.5 cm).
Height: 1.5 cubits would be approximately 27 inches (67.5 cm).

In summary, the verse states that Bezalel constructed the Ark of the Covenant out of acacia wood, and specifies its dimensions: roughly 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. This detailed specification highlights the importance and precision required in the creation of this holy artifact.