THE VESSELS OF THE SANCTUARY Chapter s 25-31 are taken up with prescriptions regarding the Construction of a Tabernacle, i.e. a tent, to form the visible dwelling-place of Jehovah in the midst of His people, the place where He would meet them and receive their worship. The entire structure consisted... [ Continue Reading ]
BRASS] rather, 'bronze,' an alloy of copper and tin: see on Deuteronomy 8:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLUE, etc.] the yarns of which the hangings were to be woven by the women: see Exodus 35:25; Exodus 39:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
RAMS' SKINS DYED RED] red leather made of sheep skins. BADGERS' SKINS] RV 'sealskins,' RM 'porpoise-skins.' SHITTIM WOOD] RV 'acacia wood. 'The acacia (Heb. _shittah_, plur. _shittim_) is the characteristic tree of the Sinaitic peninsula. The wood is very durable and much used in furniture making.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the ephod see Exodus 28:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY DWELL AMONG THEM] Strictly speaking, God cannot be said to dwell in one place more than in another. But as men realise His presence most vividly when they are consciously engaged in His worship, the place of worship becomes in a special sense a 'meeting-place 'with God (see Exodus 25:22)... [ Continue Reading ]
PATTERN] This does not imply any visible or material model. It expresses the fact that Moses, during his long retirement with God on the mount, was divinely directed as to the most fitting way in which God might be worshipped. This inspiration does not exclude the exercise of the natural faculties,... [ Continue Reading ]
ARK] i.e. a chest or coffer. A cubit is about 18 in. Such sacred arks were well known to the Egyptians and Assyrians. They contained some image of the deity worshipped, and were carried with great pomp in processions at national festivals. It is significant of the spiritual nature of the Hebrew reli... [ Continue Reading ]
CROWN] i.e. a 'rim' or 'moulding' which projected above the top edge of the ark to keep the 'mercy seat' in its place.... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIMONY] see on Exodus 16:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
MERCY SEAT] RM 'covering.' This is not to be regarded as a mere lid or covering of the ark, but has an independent significance. It is the golden throne of God where the people's sins are 'covered,' i.e. expiated or forgiven: see on Leviticus 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO CHERUBIMS] 'Cherubim' is the Heb. plural of 'cherub.' The exact form of these cherubim is doubtful. Some suppose they were winged bulls such as are represented on Assyrian monuments as guardian spirits at the doors of temples or houses: cp. Genesis 3:24. Others take them to be of human form. The... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE MERCY SEAT] RV 'of one piece with the mercyseat.'... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWARD THE MERCY SEAT SHALL THE FACES.. BE] This is probably what is alluded to in 1 Peter 1:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MEET WITH THEE] Hence the tabernacle is called the 'tent of meeting,' i.e. the place where Jehovah meets with Moses and Israel, not the place where worshippers assemble, as the AV rendering 'tabernacle of the congregation' seems to imply: see Exodus 29:42; Exodus 33:7. 23-30. The Table of Sh... [ Continue Reading ]
BORDER] The representation of the table on the Arch of Titus referred to above shows a narrow rail running round the table about halfway down the legs, keeping them in position. This is probably what is meant here by the 'border.'... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER AGAINST] RV 'close by.' The rings would be nearly halfway down the legs.... [ Continue Reading ]
The dishes were the plates on which the loaves were brought to the table; the spoons were small vessels to hold the incense which was laid upon the bread (Leviticus 24:7); the covers (RV 'flagons') and bowls held the wine of the drink offering which accompanied every meal offering. For to cover with... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEWBREAD] lit. 'bread of the presence,' BM 'Presence-bread.' This consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread, which were laid upon the table, in the presence of God, and changed every sabbath day. It was a kind of thank-offering, expressive of man's constant indebtedness to God for his daily br... [ Continue Reading ]
BOWLS] (RV 'cups') are the open leaves surmounting the knops or 'calyx 'of the flower. The topmost bowl held the lamp. On the oil, see on Exodus 27:20,; and cp. Leviticus 24:1; Numbers 8:1. SHALL BE OF THE SAME] RV 'of one piece with it': so in Exodus 25:35; Exodus 25:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
CANDLESTICK] the central shaft, which may have had in all seven knops.... [ Continue Reading ]
The lampstand stood on the south side of the Holy Place with its arms parallel to the wall. On these the lamps, in the form of ovalshaped saucers, were placed crosswise with their nozzles pointing northwards, so that they cast their light over against the lampstand, i.e. on the space in front of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
The tongs are the snuffers; the snuffdishes are for receiving and removing the pieces of charred wick.... [ Continue Reading ]
A talent of gold is estimated at about £6,000 of our money: see on Exodus 38:24.... [ Continue Reading ]