Exodus 39 - Introduction

(ch. 28). The vestments for the priests. V.1 is introductory. V.1a begins as though it belonged to Exodus 38:24-31, and was going on to state what was made of the richly woven materials offered by the Israelites (Exodus 25:4, &c.). At the same time it is remarkable (1) that the -fine linen" is not mentioned at all, (2) that no notice is taken of the curtains and hangings (Exodus 26:1 ff., Exodus 26:31; Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:9 ff.), for which nevertheless by far the greater part of the woven materials must have been used, and (3) that the second clause (-and they made," &c.) is an evident doublet of the first (for -holy garments" is a mere synonym of -finely wrought garments": see on Exodus 31:10). It is possible therefore that v.1a (to holy place) is a fragment of a complete account of what was made of the woven materials; and that and they made the holy garments, &c., is the real beginning of the account of the making of the priestly vestments.