Exodus 39:3

Authorized King James Version

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And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

Original Language Analysis

וַֽיְרַקְּע֞וּ And they did beat H7554
וַֽיְרַקְּע֞וּ And they did beat
Strong's: H7554
Word #: 1 of 18
to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)
אֶת into H854
אֶת into
Strong's: H854
Word #: 2 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
פַּחֵ֣י thin plates H6341
פַּחֵ֣י thin plates
Strong's: H6341
Word #: 3 of 18
a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin)
הַזָּהָב֮ the gold H2091
הַזָּהָב֮ the gold
Strong's: H2091
Word #: 4 of 18
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְקִצֵּ֣ץ and cut H7112
וְקִצֵּ֣ץ and cut
Strong's: H7112
Word #: 5 of 18
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
פְּתִילִם֒ it into wires H6616
פְּתִילִם֒ it into wires
Strong's: H6616
Word #: 6 of 18
twine
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת to work H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת to work
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּת֤וֹךְ H8432
בְּת֤וֹךְ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 8 of 18
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ it in the blue H8504
הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ it in the blue
Strong's: H8504
Word #: 9 of 18
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
וּבְת֣וֹךְ H8432
וּבְת֣וֹךְ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 10 of 18
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן and in the purple H713
הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן and in the purple
Strong's: H713
Word #: 11 of 18
purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
וּבְת֛וֹךְ H8432
וּבְת֛וֹךְ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 12 of 18
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
תּוֹלַ֥עַת H8438
תּוֹלַ֥עַת
Strong's: H8438
Word #: 13 of 18
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
הַשָּׁנִ֖י and in the scarlet H8144
הַשָּׁנִ֖י and in the scarlet
Strong's: H8144
Word #: 14 of 18
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
וּבְת֣וֹךְ H8432
וּבְת֣וֹךְ
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 15 of 18
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַשֵּׁ֑שׁ and in the fine linen H8336
הַשֵּׁ֑שׁ and in the fine linen
Strong's: H8336
Word #: 16 of 18
bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 17 of 18
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
חֹשֵֽׁב׃ with cunning H2803
חֹשֵֽׁב׃ with cunning
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 18 of 18
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

Analysis & Commentary

Beating gold into thin plates and cutting it into wires (לְעַשּׂוֹת, la'asot, to work) demonstrates painstaking craftsmanship for God's glory. The gold threads woven throughout the ephod illustrate divine presence permeating priestly ministry—gold signifies deity, the fabric humanity. This prefigures the incarnation where deity and humanity unite perfectly in Christ. The 'cunning work' (חֹשֵׁב, choshev, artistic design) teaches that worship of the holy God demands our finest skill and utmost care, not casual or careless offerings.

Historical Context

Gold working was highly developed in the ancient Near East, but Israel's artisans learned Egyptian techniques during their sojourn. The use of such elaborate metalwork for worship, rather than idols, redirected pagan craftsmanship to glorify YHWH alone.

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