Discovery BoxExodus 31:13 
Context31:13 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep my Sabbaths, 1 for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 2
Exodus 37:19
Context37:19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the first branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on the next 3 branch, and the same 4 for the six branches that were extending from the lampstand.
Exodus 38:26
Context38:26 one beka per person, that is, a half shekel, 5 according to the sanctuary shekel, for everyone who crossed over to those numbered, from twenty years old or older, 6 603,550 in all. 7
1 sn The instruction for the Sabbath at this point seems rather abrupt, but it follows logically the extended plans of building the sanctuary. B. Jacob, following some of the earlier treatments, suggests that these are specific rules given for the duration of the building of the sanctuary (Exodus, 844). The Sabbath day is a day of complete cessation; no labor or work could be done. The point here is that God’s covenant people must faithfully keep the sign of the covenant as a living commemoration of the finished work of Yahweh, and as an active part in their sanctification. See also H. Routtenberg, “The Laws of Sabbath: Biblical Sources,” Dor le Dor 6 (1977): 41-43, 99-101, 153-55, 204-6; G. Robinson, “The Idea of Rest in the OT and the Search for the Basic Character of Sabbath,” ZAW 92 (1980): 32-42; M. Tsevat, “The Basic Meaning of the Biblical Sabbath, ZAW 84 (1972): 447-59; M. T. Willshaw, “A Joyous Sign,” ExpTim 89 (1978): 179-80.
2 tn Or “your sanctifier.”
3 tn Heb “the one branch.” But the repetition of “one…one” means here one after another, or the “first” and then the “next.”
4 tn Heb “thus for six branches….”
5 sn The weight would be about half an ounce.
6 tn Heb “upward.”
7 tn The phrase “in all” has been supplied.
