Exodus 39:3
New International Version
They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut strands to be worked into the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen—the work of skilled hands.

New Living Translation
He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

English Standard Version
And they hammered out gold leaf, and he cut it into threads to work into the blue and purple and the scarlet yarns, and into the fine twined linen, in skilled design.

Berean Standard Bible
They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs.

New American Standard Bible
Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the violet, the purple, and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skilled embroiderer.

NASB 1995
Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skillful workman.

NASB 1977
Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skillful workman.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material and the fine linen, the work of a skillful designer.

Amplified Bible
Then Bezalel and Oholiab hammered the gold [into thin sheets] and cut it into threads to work into the blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, and into the fine linen, the work of a skilled craftsman.

Christian Standard Bible
They hammered out thin sheets of gold, and he cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and the fine linen in a skillful design.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They hammered out thin sheets of gold, and he cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and the fine linen in a skillful design.

American Standard Version
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, the work of the skilful workman.

English Revised Version
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, the work of the cunning workman.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They hammered the gold into thin sheets and cut them up. They twisted the gold into threads, which they creatively worked into each strand of the violet, purple, and bright red yarn, and throughout the fine linen.

Good News Translation
They hammered out sheets of gold and cut them into thin strips to be worked into the fine linen and into the blue, purple, and red wool.

International Standard Version
They hammered out gold sheets and cut off threads to work into the blue, purple, and scarlet material and into the fine linen, a work of skillful design.

Majority Standard Bible
They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.

NET Bible
They hammered the gold into thin sheets and cut it into narrow strips to weave them into the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and into the fine linen, the work of an artistic designer.

New Heart English Bible
They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they 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 curious work.

World English Bible
They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they expand the plates of gold, and have cut off wires to work in the midst of the blue, and in the midst of the purple, and in the midst of the scarlet, and in the midst of the linen—the work of a designer;

Young's Literal Translation
and they expand the plates of gold, and have cut off wires to work in the midst of the blue, and in the midst of the purple, and in the midst of the scarlet, and in the midst of the linen -- work of a designer;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will beat out the plates of gold, and it was cut off threads to work in the midst of the cerulean purple, and in the midst of the red purple, and in the midst of the double scarlet, and in the midst of the byssus, a skilful work.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
With embroidered work: and he cut thin plates of gold, and drew them small into threads, that they might be twisted with the woof of the aforesaid colours,

Catholic Public Domain Version
wrought with embroidery. And he cut thin strips of gold and drew them into threads, so that they could be twisted into the weave of the first colors.

New American Bible
Gold was first hammered into gold leaf and then cut up into threads, which were woven with the violet, purple, and scarlet yarn into an embroidered pattern on the fine linen.

New Revised Standard Version
Gold leaf was hammered out and cut into threads to work into the blue, purple, and crimson yarns and into the fine twisted linen, in skilled design.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to be worked in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet material, and in the fine linen, with artistic workmanship.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they beat out thin metal leaves of gold and they cut threads to pass through inside the blue and within the purple and within the fine linen of scarlet and within the fine white linen, the work of a craftsman.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into threads, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skilful workman.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the plates were divided, the threads of gold, so as to interweave with the blue and purple, and with the spun scarlet, and the fine linen twined, they made it a woven work;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ephod
2Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. 3They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen— the work of a skilled craftsman. 4They made shoulder pieces for the ephod, which were attached at two of its corners, so it could be fastened.…

Cross References
Exodus 28:6-8
They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. / It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened. / And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.

1 Kings 7:15-22
He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. / He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars, each capital five cubits high. / For the capitals on top of the pillars he made a network of lattice, with wreaths of chainwork, seven for each capital. ...

2 Chronicles 3:16-17
He made interwoven chains and put them on top of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork. / Then he set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the south and one on the north. The pillar on the south he named Jachin, and the pillar on the north he named Boaz.

2 Chronicles 4:12-13
the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; / the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars);

Ezekiel 16:10-13
I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. / I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. / I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. ...

Revelation 1:13
and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 15:6
And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests.

Revelation 19:8
She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Revelation 21:18-21
The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. / The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ...

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

Isaiah 54:11-12
“O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires. / I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Psalm 45:13-14
All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold. / In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.

Proverbs 31:22
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

cunning work

Exodus 26:1
Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

Exodus 36:8
And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.

Jump to Previous
Beat Blue Craftsman Cunning Curious Cut Cutting Designer Expand Fine Gold Hammered Hammering Linen Material Midst Plates Purple Red Scarlet Sheets Skilful Skilled Skillful Strands Stuff Thin Threads Twined Work Worked Workman Woven
Jump to Next
Beat Blue Craftsman Cunning Curious Cut Cutting Designer Expand Fine Gold Hammered Hammering Linen Material Midst Plates Purple Red Scarlet Sheets Skilful Skilled Skillful Strands Stuff Thin Threads Twined Work Worked Workman Woven
Exodus 39
1. The cloths of service and holy garments.
2. The ephod
8. The breast-plate
22. The robe of the ephod
27. The coats, mitre, and girdle of fine linen
30. The plate of the holy crown
32. All is finished, reviewed, and approved by Moses














They hammered out thin sheets of gold
The phrase begins with the meticulous process of crafting gold into thin sheets. The Hebrew word for "hammered" is "רָקַע" (raqa), which implies a careful and deliberate action. This reflects the dedication and precision required in the service of God. Gold, a symbol of purity and divinity, was not merely used in its raw form but was transformed through human effort, signifying the collaboration between divine provision and human craftsmanship. Historically, gold was a precious commodity, often associated with royalty and the divine, underscoring the sacredness of the tabernacle's construction.

and cut threads from them
The act of cutting threads from the hammered gold sheets indicates a transformation from a solid form into something flexible and intricate. This process symbolizes the adaptability and creativity required in serving God. The Hebrew root "קָצַץ" (qatsats) for "cut" suggests precision and intentionality. In a spiritual sense, it reflects how God can take something whole and reshape it for His purposes, much like He does with our lives.

to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen
The interweaving of gold threads with colored yarns and fine linen represents the harmonious blend of divine and earthly elements. Each color holds significant meaning: blue often symbolizes heaven or divinity, purple represents royalty and wealth, and scarlet signifies sacrifice and redemption. The fine linen, known for its purity and quality, symbolizes righteousness. The Hebrew word "שָׁזַר" (shazar) for "interweave" suggests a complex and beautiful integration, much like the unity and diversity within the body of Christ.

the work of a skilled craftsman
This phrase highlights the importance of skill and craftsmanship in the service of God. The Hebrew term "חָכָם" (chakam) for "skilled" denotes wisdom and expertise. It emphasizes that God values and uses our talents and skills for His glory. The craftsmanship involved in the tabernacle's construction was not merely functional but also an act of worship, reflecting the beauty and order of God's creation. Historically, artisans were highly respected for their ability to create objects of beauty and utility, and this craftsmanship was seen as a divine gift.

(3) They did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wires.--This very primitive method of forming gold thread is nowhere else mentioned. It implies a ruder state of the art of metallurgy than we should have expected.

To work it in the blue.--The blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the white linen thread were woven into a patterned fabric. The gold was inserted afterwards in the way of embroidery. A similar practice prevailed in Egypt (Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians, vol. iii., p. 128).

Verse 3. - They did beat the gold into thin plates and out it into wires. This mode of producing gold thread is remarkable, and had not been previously mentioned.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They hammered out
וַֽיְרַקְּע֞וּ (way·raq·qə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7554: To pound the earth, to expand, to overlay

thin sheets
פַּחֵ֣י (pa·ḥê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6341: A, sheet, a spring net

of gold
הַזָּהָב֮ (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

and cut
וְקִצֵּ֣ץ (wə·qiṣ·ṣêṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7112: To chop off

threads from them
פְּתִילִם֒ (pə·ṯî·lim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6616: Cord, thread

to interweave
לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

with the blue,
הַתְּכֵ֙לֶת֙ (hat·tə·ḵê·leṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8504: The cerulean mussel, the color, obtained therefrom, stuff dyed therewith

purple,
הָֽאַרְגָּמָ֔ן (hā·’ar·gā·mān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 713: Purple, red-purple

and scarlet yarn,
תּוֹלַ֥עַת (tō·w·la·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8438: The crimson-grub, of the color, from it, cloths dyed therewith

and fine linen—
הַשֵּׁ֑שׁ (haš·šêš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8336: Bleached stuff, white linen, marble

the work
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה (ma·‘ă·śêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

of a skilled craftsman.
חֹשֵֽׁב׃ (ḥō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account


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OT Law: Exodus 39:3 They beat the gold into thin plates (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 39:2
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