XL. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE UPREARING OF THE TABERNACLE. (1-8) Though the work was now complete, and all the parts of the Tabernacle made ready, Moses did not at once proceed to erect it. As when he first went up into Sinai (Exodus 24:16), so now, he waited for a Divine summons, a distinct command... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH. — The Israelites had quitted Egypt on the fourteenth day of the first month, Abib (Exodus 12:6). They had reached the wilderness of Sinai in the course of the third month, Sivan, and encamped in front of Sinai shortly after (Exodus 19:1). The two long absences of... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT PUT THEREIN THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY. — The most precious of the objects which the tabernacle was to contain was to be placed in it; first. Then immediately it was to be covered up with the vail.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABLE. — The “table of shewbread” is thus commonly designated. (See Exodus 35:13; Exodus 37:10; Exodus 39:36; Exodus 40:22.) AND SET IN ORDER THE THINGS... — The twelve loaves are the “things” specially intended (see Exodus 40:23). Whether the frankincense also is glanced at (Leviticus 24:7) ma... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT SET THE ALTAR OF GOLD... BEFORE THE ARK. — Not inside the vail, but outside, in the Holy Place; nearer, however, to the vail than either the table or the candlestick. (See Note 1 on Exodus 30:6.) THE HANGING OF THE DOOR — i.e., the curtain at the entrance to the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:36;... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ALTAR OF THE BURNT-OFFERING. — See Exodus 27:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAVER. Comp. Exodus 30:18. Its proper place was close to the door of the Tabernacle, since the priests had to wash their hands and feet at it every time that they set foot within the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:19).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COURT... THE HANGING. — See Exodus 27:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANOINTING OIL. — Directions for the composition of the oil had been already given (Exodus 30:23); and at the same time it had been ordered that the Tabernacle, the ark, the table, the candlestick, the two altars, the laver, and the various vessels of the sanctuary, should be consecrated by anoin... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CONSECRATION OF THE TABERNACLE AND THE PRIESTS. (9-15) Instructions for the consecration of the Tabernacle, its furniture and its vessels, by anointing, and for the consecration of Aaron and his sons by ablution, anointing, and investiture, were attached to those given conc... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BRING AARON AND HIS SONS... AND WASH THEM. — See Note on Exodus 29:4. Ablution, investiture, and anointing had all of them been previously appointed to be parts of the consecration service (Exodus 29:4; Exodus 29:7, &c.).... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT BRING HIS SONS, AND CLOTHE THEM WITH COATS. — Rather, _with tunics._ (Comp. Exodus 29:8.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT ANOINT THEM, AS THOU DIDST ANOINT THEIR FATHER. — By the narrative of Leviticus 8, it would seem that Aaron’s sons were not anointed in the same way as himself. He had the oil poured over his head (Leviticus 8:12; Psalms 133:2). They were merely sprinkled with a mixture of oil and blood ... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS DID MOSES. — This verse states generally the fact that Moses carried out the entire series of instructions given him in Exodus 40:2, but tells us nothing as to the time at which he carried them out. The passage which follows (Exodus 40:17) fixes the performance of the first set of instructions... [ Continue Reading ]
THE UPREARING OF THE TABERNACLE. (17) ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH... THE TABERNACLE WAS REARED UP. — The Tabernacle was so constructed as to be capable of being rapidly both put together and taken to pieces. The erection of the framework, and the stretching upon it of the fine linen and goats’-ha... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES... FASTENED HIS SOCKETS. — The stability of the Tabernacle must have depended almost entirely upon the sockets. These were of some considerable weight (Exodus 38:27), but they cannot by their mere weight have sustained the fabric in an upright position. It is reasonable to suppose that they we... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPREAD ABROAD THE TENT OVER THE TABERNACLE. — Erected, _i.e.,_ the wooden framework, with the covering of goats’-hair, which formed the true tent (’_ohel_)_,_ and so roofed in the Tabernacle (_mishkan_). PUT THE COVERING... ABOVE UPON IT. — “The covering” (_miksêh_) is the outer protection of ra... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TOOK AND PUT THE TESTIMONY INTO THE ARK. — By “the testimony” we must understand the two tables of stone, written with the finger of God, which Moses had brought down with him from the top of Sinai on his last visit (Exodus 34:29). On the use of the word “testimony” in this sense, see Note to Exo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VAIL OF THE COVERING. — See Note on Exodus 39:34, and comp, above, Exodus 40:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT THE TABLE... UPON THE SIDE OF THE TABERNACLE NORTHWARD. — On the right hand to one facing towards the vail. Moses may have known the right position from the pattern which was shewed him in the mount (Exodus 25:40).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SET THE BREAD IN ORDER UPON IT. — Arranged, _i.e.,_ the twelve loaves in two rows, as was afterwards commanded to be done (Leviticus 24:6).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT THE CANDLESTICK... OVER AGAINST THE TABLE. — Directly opposite to it, on the left hand, as one faced the vail. The light would thus be thrown on the table of shewbread. (See Exodus 25:37.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LIGHTED THE LAMPS. — When the proper time came, _i.e.,_ at even. (Comp. Exodus 30:8; Leviticus 24:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT THE GOLDEN ALTAR... BEFORE THE VAIL. — In front of the Ark, the mercy-seat, and the place assigned to the Shechinah (Exodus 25:22), but separated from them by the vail. (Comp. Exodus 30:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE BURNT SWEET INCENSE THEREON. — At even, when he lighted the lamps, he also, according to the instructions given him (Exodus 30:8) burnt incense.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HANGING AT THE DOOR. — See above, Exodus 40:5, and comp. Exodus 26:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING BY THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE. — On the altar of burnt offering, see Exodus 27:1; Exodus 38:1. Some preposition has fallen out before the word “door.” Our translators suppose an omission of ’_al,_ “at,” but it is more probable that _liphney,_ which occurs in Exodus... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SET THE LAVER BETWEEN THE TENT... AND THE ALTAR. — On the bronze laver and its position in the Tabernacle, see the Notes on Exodus 30:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses are parenthetic. They interrupt the narrative of what Moses did “on the first day of the first month,” informing us of the use whereto the laver was applied subsequently. (Comp. Exodus 30:19.)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE REARED UP THE COURT... AND SET UP THE HANGING. — On the court, see Exodus 27:9. For “the hanging” see Exodus 27:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DESCENT OF THE GLOEY OF GOD UPON THE TABERNACLE. (34) THEN A CLOUD. — Heb., _the cloud, i.e.,_ the same cloud that had accompanied the host and directed their journeys from Succoth (Exodus 13:20). COVERED THE TENT. — The cloud rested on the tent outside; the “glory of God,” — some ineffably br... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WAS NOT ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE TENT. — Apparently, Moses, seeing the cloud descend, as it had been wont to do upon the temporary “tent of meeting” (Exodus 33:9), endeavoured to re-enter the Tabernacle which he had quitted, but was unable; the “glory” forbade approach. (Comp. the effect of the... [ Continue Reading ]
(36-38) The cloud was henceforth, in a peculiar way, attached to the Tabernacle. As a cloud it rested upon it by day; as a pillar of fire by night. Only in one case was it removed, viz., when it was the Divine will that Israel should march. (See Numbers 9:15.)... [ Continue Reading ]