1 And of the blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 they made H6213 cloths H899 of service, H8278 to do service H8334 in the holy H6944 place, and made H6213 the holy H6944 garments H899 for Aaron; H175 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
2 And he made H6213 the ephod H646 of gold, H2091 blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8438 H8144 and fine twined H7806 linen. H8336
3 And they did beat H7554 the gold H2091 into H854 thin plates, H6341 and cut H7112 it into wires, H6616 to work H6213 H8432 it in the blue, H8504 and in the purple, H713 and in the scarlet, H8144 H8438 and in the fine linen, H8336 with cunning H2803 work. H4639
4 They made H6213 shoulderpieces H3802 for it, to couple it together: H2266 by the two H8147 edges H7098 H7099 was it coupled together. H2266
5 And the curious girdle H2805 of his ephod, H642 that was upon it, was of the same, according to the work H4639 thereof; of gold, H2091 blue, H8504 and purple, H713 and scarlet, H8144 H8438 and fine twined H7806 linen; H8336 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
6 And they wrought H6213 onyx H7718 stones H68 inclosed H4142 in ouches H4865 of gold, H2091 graven, H6605 as signets H2368 are graven, H6603 with the names H8034 of the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
7 And he put H7760 them on the shoulders H3802 of the ephod, H646 that they should be stones H68 for a memorial H2146 to the children H1121 of Israel; H3478 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 39
Commentary on Exodus 39 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 39
Ex 39:1-43. Garments of the Priests.
1, 2. cloths of service—official robes. The ephod of the high priest, the robe of the ephod, the girdle of needlework, and the embroidered coat were all of fine linen; for on no material less delicate could such elaborate symbolical figures have been portrayed in embroidery, and all beautified with the same brilliant colors. (See on Ex 28:1-43).
3. cut the gold into wires to work it—that is, the metal was beaten with a hammer into thin plates, cut with scissors or some other instrument into long slips, then rounded into filaments or threads. "Cloth of golden tissue is not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens of it have been found rolled about mummies; but it is not easy to determine whether the gold thread was originally interwoven or subsequently inserted by the embroiderer" [Taylor].
30. a writing, like to the engravings of a signet—The seal-ring worn both by ancient and modern Egyptians on the little finger of the right hand, contained, inscribed on a cornelian or other precious stone, along with the owner's name, a religious sentiment or sacred symbol, intimating that he was the servant of God, or expressive of trust in Him. And it was to this practice the inscription on the high priest alludes (compare Joh 3:33).
34. the covering of rams' skin dyed red—(See on Ex 25:5). It was probably red morocco leather and "badgers' skins," rather "the skins of the tahash, supposed to be the dugong, or dolphin of the Red Sea, the skin of which is still used by the Arabs under the same appellation" [Goss].
43. Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded—A formal inspection was made on the completion of the tabernacle, not only with a view to have the work transferred from the charge of the workmen, but to ascertain whether it corresponded with "the pattern." The result of a careful and minute survey showed that every plank, curtain, altar, and vase had been most accurately made of the form, and in the place designed by the Divine Architect—and Moses, in accepting it of their hands, thanked God for them, and begged Him to bless them.