The tent of meeting refers to the tabernacle, including the tent and the enclosure around it. (See the introductory comment to chapter 26.) The ark of the testimony has been changed to “ark of the covenant” in New Revised Standard Version. (See the comment at 25.10.) The mercy seat that is thereon, literally “and the kapporeth which is upon it,” refers to the “lid” (Good News Translation) that covered the “Covenant Box” (Good News Translation). (See the comment at 25.17.) All the furnishings of the tent refers to the those things listed in verse 8. New International Version helpfully places a dash here to show this.

The table is described in 25.23-29. (See the comment at 25.23.) Its utensils is the same Hebrew word translated as the furnishings in verse 7. (See the comment at 30.27.) New Jerusalem Bible has “and all its accessories” in reference to the table, but this does not follow the Hebrew. The pure lampstand refers to the menorah, which was to be “of pure gold” (Good News Translation). The word for “gold” is not in the Hebrew, but it is good to add it. Here the Hebrew says all its utensils. (See the comment at 25.31.) The altar of incense refers to the golden “altar for burning incense” (Good News Translation) that was to be placed inside the Holy Place. It is described in 30.1-4. (See the comment at 30.1.)

The altar of burnt offering with all its utensils refers to the bronze altar for animal sacrifice. It was to be placed outside the tent in the court area. It is described in 27.1-8. (For burnt offering see the comment at 29.18.) The laver and its base refers to the bronze “washbasin” (Good News Translation) mentioned in 30.18. (See the comment there.)

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .