The command was communicated to Moses while in the mount with God, "Let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them;" and full directions were given for the construction of the tabernacle. By their apostasy the Israelites forfeited the blessing of the divine Presence, and for the time rendered impossible the erection of a sanctuary for God among them. But after they were again taken into favor with Heaven, the great leader proceeded to execute the divine command.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over 2 Mos 25-40; 3 Mos 4; 16
Mens Moses var på bjerget hos Gud, fik han den befaling: "Du skal indrette mig en helligdom, for at jeg kan bo midt iblandt dem," og der blev givet en fuldstændig beskrivelse af tabernaklets indretning. Israel havde ved deres frafald mistet Guds nærværelses velsignelse og havde foreløbig umuliggjort planen om at bygge en helligdom til Gud iblandt dem. Men efter at de igen var taget til nåde hos Gud, gik den store leder videre med planen ifølge Guds befaling.