Chapter 26: The Tabernacle, the Calf, and Covenant Renewal

Study notes

While Moses is slow to come back down, the people ask Aaron to make them gods, and when Moses sees the calf, he shatters the tablets. Yahweh has Moses cut two new stone tablets, and in the end the tent of meeting is covered by the cloud as Yahweh’s glory fills the dwelling.

From Exodus 32:1 (KoS), Exodus 32:19 (KoS), Exodus 34:1 (KoS), Exodus 40:34 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. What has Bezalel son of Uri been filled with, according to this passage?

   “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge, and with all kinds of work,

   Exodus 31:2–3 (KoS)

2. What does Moses tell Yahweh the people have done when he returns to him?

   Moses returned to Yahweh and said, “Please, this people has done a great offense. They have made themselves gods of gold.

   Exodus 32:31 (KoS)

3. How does Yahweh describe himself as he passes by and calls out his name?

   Yahweh came down in the cloud and stood with him there, and he called out the name Yahweh. Yahweh passed in front of him and called, “Yahweh, Yahweh, a God tender and gracious, slow to anger, great in loyalty and in what holds firm, keeping loyalty for thousands, carrying guilt, rebellion, and offense, and clearing, he does not clear, calling the guilt of fathers to account on children and on children’s children, on the thirds and on the fourths.”

   Exodus 34:5–7 (KoS)

   Note · Translation Chesed is loyalty. Emet is what holds firm, truth that can be relied on. Both are printed. “Goodness and truth” is not.

   Note · Translation The clearing line is an infinitive and a finite verb of the same root: clearing, he does not clear. No object is named. “The guilty” is not added. “For thousands” does not say generations.