8 And every wise H2450 hearted man H3820 among them that wrought H6213 the work H4399 of the tabernacle H4908 made H6213 ten H6235 curtains H3407 of fine twined H7806 linen, H8336 and blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet: H8144 H8438 with cherubims H3742 of cunning H2803 work H4639 made H6213 he them.
9 The length H753 of one H259 curtain H3407 was twenty H6242 and eight H8083 cubits, H520 and the breadth H7341 of one H259 curtain H3407 four H702 cubits: H520 the curtains H3407 were all of one H259 size. H4060
10 And he coupled H2266 the five H2568 curtains H3407 one H259 unto another: H259 and the other five H2568 curtains H3407 he coupled H2266 one H259 unto another. H259
11 And he made H6213 loops H3924 of blue H8504 on the edge H8193 of one H259 curtain H3407 from the selvedge H7098 in the coupling: H4225 likewise he made H6213 in the uttermost H7020 side H8193 of another curtain, H3407 in the coupling H4225 of the second. H8145
12 Fifty H2572 loops H3924 made H6213 he in one H259 curtain, H3407 and fifty H2572 loops H3924 made H6213 he in the edge H7097 of the curtain H3407 which was in the coupling H4225 of the second: H8145 the loops H3924 held H6901 one H259 curtain to another. H259
13 And he made H6213 fifty H2572 taches H7165 of gold, H2091 and coupled H2266 the curtains H3407 one H259 unto another H259 with the taches: H7165 so it became one H259 tabernacle. H4908
14 And he made H6213 curtains H3407 of goats' H5795 hair for the tent H168 over the tabernacle: H4908 eleven H6249 H6240 curtains H3407 he made H6213 them.
15 The length H753 of one H259 curtain H3407 was thirty H7970 cubits, H520 and four H702 cubits H520 was the breadth H7341 of one H259 curtain: H3407 the eleven H6249 H6240 curtains H3407 were of one H259 size. H4060
16 And he coupled H2266 five H2568 curtains H3407 by themselves, and six H8337 curtains H3407 by themselves.
17 And he made H6213 fifty H2572 loops H3924 upon the uttermost H7020 edge H8193 of the curtain H3407 in the coupling, H4225 and fifty H2572 loops H3924 made H6213 he upon the edge H8193 of the curtain H3407 which coupleth H2279 the second. H8145
18 And he made H6213 fifty H2572 taches H7165 of brass H5178 to couple H2266 the tent H168 together, H2266 that it might be one. H259
19 And he made H6213 a covering H4372 for the tent H168 of rams' H352 skins H5785 dyed red, H119 and a covering H4372 of badgers' H8476 skins H5785 above H4605 that.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 36
Commentary on Exodus 36 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 36
Ex 36:1-38. Offerings Delivered to the Workmen.
1. Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, &c.—Here is an illustrious example of zeal and activity in the work of the Lord. No unnecessary delay was allowed to take place; and from the moment the first pole was stuck in the ground till the final completion of the sacred edifice, he and his associates labored with all the energies both of mind and body engaged in the work. And what was the mainspring of their arduous and untiring diligence? They could be actuated by none of the ordinary motives that give impulse to human industry, by no desire for the acquisition of gain; no ambition for honor; no view of gratifying a mere love of power in directing the labors of a large body of men. They felt the stimulus—the strong irresistible impulse of higher and holier motives—obedience to the authority, zeal for the glory, and love to the service of God.
3. they (the workmen)
received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought, &c.—It appears that the building was begun after the first few contributions were made; it was progressively carried on, and no necessity occurred to suspend operations even for the shortest interval, from want of the requisite materials.
they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning, &c.—Moses, in common with other Oriental magistrates, had his morning levees for receiving the people (see on Ex 18:13); and it was while he was performing his magisterial duties that the people brought unto him freewill offerings every morning. Some who had nothing but their manual labor to give would spend a great part of the night in hastening to complete their self-imposed task before the early dawn; others might find their hearts constrained by silent meditations on their beds to open their coffers and give a part of their hoarded treasure to the pious object. All whose hearts were touched by piety, penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God (2Co 9:7).
5. they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough, &c.—By the calculations which the practised eyes of the workmen enabled them to make, they were unanimously of the opinion that the supply already far exceeded the demand and that no more contributions were required. Such a report reflects the highest honor on their character as men of the strictest honor and integrity, who, notwithstanding they had command of an untold amount of the most precious things and might, without any risk of human discovery, have appropriated much to their own use, were too high principled for such acts of peculation. Forthwith, a proclamation was issued to stop further contributions [Ex 36:6].
35. he made a veil of blue—the second or inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place, embroidered with cherubim and of great size and thickness.
37. made an hanging for the … door—Curtains of elaborately wrought needlework are often suspended over the entrance to tents of the great nomad sheiks, and throughout Persia, at the entrance of summer tents, mosques, and palaces. They are preferred as cooler and more elegant than wooden doors. This chapter contains an instructive narrative: it is the first instance of donations made for the worship of God, given from the wages of the people's sufferings and toils. They were acceptable to God (Php 4:18), and if the Israelites showed such liberality, how much more should those whose privilege it is to live under the Christian dispensation (1Co 6:20; 16:2).