25:1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
25:2. Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring firstfruits to me: of every man that offereth of his own accord, you shall take them.
Firstfruits… Offerings of some of the best and choicest of their goods.
25:3. And these are the things you must take: Gold, and silver, and brass,
25:4. Violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine linen, and goats' hair,
25:5. And rams' skins dyed red, and violet skins, and setim wood:
Setim wood… The wood of a tree that grows in the wilderness, which is said to be incorruptible.
25:6. Oil to make lights: spices for ointment, and for sweetsmelling incense:
25:7. Onyx stones, and precious stones to adorn the ephod and the rational.
The ephod and the rational… The ephod was the high priest's upper vestment; and the rational his vestplate, in which were twelve gems, etc.