The Bible
Exodus 25
Israel is commanded to donate property and build a tabernacle, the ark of testimony (with the mercy seat and cherubims), a table (for the shewbread), and the candlestick, all according to patterns shown to Moses on the mount.
1And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
3And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
4And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
5And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,
6Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
7Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
8And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
13And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
15The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
16And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
24And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
27Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
30And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
36Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
38And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
39Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.