Exodus 25:17

25:17 “You are to make an atonement lid 1  of pure gold; 2  its length is to be three feet nine inches, and its width is to be two feet three inches.

Exodus 26:19

26:19 and you are to make forty silver bases to go under the twenty frames – two bases under the first frame for its two projections, and likewise 3  two bases under the next frame for its two projections;

Exodus 27:19

27:19 All 4  the utensils of the tabernacle used 5  in all its service, all its tent pegs, and all the tent pegs of the courtyard are to be made of bronze. 6 

Exodus 36:24

36:24 He made forty silver bases under the twenty frames – two bases under the first frame for its two projections, and likewise 7  two bases under the next frame for its two projections,

1 tn The noun is כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporet), translated “atonement lid” or “atonement plate.” The traditional translation “mercy-seat” (so KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV) came from Tyndale in 1530 and was also used by Luther in 1523. The noun is formed from the word “to make atonement.” The item that the Israelites should make would be more than just a lid for the ark. It would be the place where atonement was signified. The translation of “covering” is probably incorrect, for it derives from a rare use of the verb, if the same verb at all (the evidence shows “cover” is from another root with the same letters as this). The value of this place was that Yahweh sat enthroned above it, and so the ark essentially was the “footstool.” Blood was applied to the lid of the box, for that was the place of atonement (see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 269-270).

2 tn After verbs of making or producing, the accusative (like “gold” here) may be used to express the material from which something is made (see GKC 371 §117.hh).

3 tn The clause is repeated to show the distributive sense; it literally says, “and two bases under the one frame for its two projections.”

4 tn Heb “to all”; for use of the preposition lamed (ל) to show inclusion (all belonging to) see GKC 458 §143.e.

5 tn Here “used” has been supplied.

6 sn The tabernacle is an important aspect of OT theology. The writer’s pattern so far has been: ark, table, lamp, and then their container (the tabernacle); then the altar and its container (the courtyard). The courtyard is the place of worship where the people could gather – they entered God’s courts. Though the courtyard may not seem of much interest to current readers, it did interest the Israelites. Here the sacrifices were made, the choirs sang, the believers offered their praises, they had their sins forgiven, they came to pray, they appeared on the holy days, and they heard from God. It was sacred because God met them there; they left the “world” (figuratively speaking) and came into the very presence of God.

7 tn The clause is repeated to show the distributive sense; it literally says, “and two bases under the one frame for its two projections.”