29 And he put H7760 the altar H4196 of burnt offering H5930 by the door H6607 of the tabernacle H4908 of the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 and offered H5927 upon it the burnt offering H5930 and the meat offering; H4503 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
And thou shalt set H5414 the altar H4196 of the burnt offering H5930 before H6440 the door H6607 of the tabernacle H4908 of the tent H168 of the congregation. H4150
And thou shalt make H6213 an altar H4196 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 five H2568 cubits H520 long, H753 and five H2568 cubits H520 broad; H7341 the altar H4196 shall be foursquare: H7251 and the height H6967 thereof shall be three H7969 cubits. H520 And thou shalt make H6213 the horns H7161 of it upon the four H702 corners H6438 thereof: his horns H7161 shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay H6823 it with brass. H5178 And thou shalt make H6213 his pans H5518 to receive his ashes, H1878 and his shovels, H3257 and his basons, H4219 and his fleshhooks, H4207 and his firepans: H4289 all the vessels H3627 thereof thou shalt make H6213 of brass. H5178 And thou shalt make H6213 for it a grate H4345 of network H4639 of brass; H5178 and upon the net H7568 shalt thou make H6213 four H702 brasen H5178 rings H2885 in the four H702 corners H7098 thereof. And thou shalt put H5414 it under the compass H3749 of the altar H4196 beneath, H4295 that the net H7568 may be even to H5704 the midst H2677 of the altar. H4196 And thou shalt make H6213 staves H905 for the altar, H4196 staves H905 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 and overlay H6823 them with brass. H5178 And the staves H905 shall be put H935 into the rings, H2885 and the staves H905 shall be upon the two H8147 sides H6763 of the altar, H4196 to bear H5375 it. Hollow H5014 with boards H3871 shalt thou make H6213 it: as it was shewed H7200 thee in the mount, H2022 so shall they make H6213 it.
Now this is that which thou shalt offer H6213 upon the altar; H4196 two H8147 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 day H3117 by day H3117 continually. H8548 The one H259 lamb H3532 thou shalt offer H6213 in the morning; H1242 and the other H8145 lamb H3532 thou shalt offer H6213 at even: H6153 And with the one H259 lamb H3532 a tenth H6241 deal of flour H5560 mingled H1101 with the fourth part H7253 of an hin H1969 of beaten H3795 oil; H8081 and the fourth part H7243 of an hin H1969 of wine H3196 for a drink offering. H5262 And the other H8145 lamb H3532 thou shalt offer H6213 at even, H6153 and shalt do H6213 thereto according to the meat offering H4503 of the morning, H1242 and according to the drink offering H5262 thereof, for a sweet H5207 savour, H7381 an offering made by fire H801 unto the LORD. H3068 This shall be a continual H8548 burnt offering H5930 throughout your generations H1755 at the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 where I will meet H3259 you, to speak H1696 there unto thee. And there I will meet H3259 with the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and the tabernacle shall be sanctified H6942 by my glory. H3519 And I will sanctify H6942 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and the altar: H4196 I will sanctify H6942 also both Aaron H175 and his sons, H1121 to minister to me in the priest's office. H3547 And I will dwell H7931 among H8432 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and will be their God. H430 And they shall know H3045 that I am the LORD H3068 their God, H430 that brought them forth H3318 out of the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 that I may dwell H7931 among H8432 them: I am the LORD H3068 their God. H430
And he made H6213 the altar H4196 of burnt offering H5930 of shittim H7848 wood: H6086 five H2568 cubits H520 was the length H753 thereof, and five H2568 cubits H520 the breadth H7341 thereof; it was foursquare; H7251 and three H7969 cubits H520 the height H6967 thereof. And he made H6213 the horns H7161 thereof on the four H702 corners H6438 of it; the horns H7161 thereof were of the same: and he overlaid H6823 it with brass. H5178 And he made H6213 all the vessels H3627 of the altar, H4196 the pots, H5518 and the shovels, H3257 and the basons, H4219 and the fleshhooks, H4207 and the firepans: H4289 all the vessels H3627 thereof made H6213 he of brass. H5178 And he made H6213 for the altar H4196 a brasen H5178 grate H4345 of network H7568 H4639 under the compass H3749 thereof beneath H4295 unto the midst H2677 of it. And he cast H3332 four H702 rings H2885 for the four H702 ends H7099 of the grate H4345 of brass, H5178 to be places H1004 for the staves. H905 And he made H6213 the staves H905 of shittim H7848 wood, H6086 and overlaid H6823 them with brass. H5178 And he put H935 the staves H905 into the rings H2885 on the sides H6763 of the altar, H4196 to bear H5375 it withal; he made H6213 the altar hollow H5014 with boards. H3871
Being justified G1344 freely G1432 by his G846 grace G5485 through G1223 the redemption G629 that is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424 Whom G3739 God G2316 hath set forth G4388 to be a propitiation G2435 through G1223 faith G4102 in G1722 his G846 blood, G129 to G1519 declare G1732 his G846 righteousness G1343 for G1223 the remission G3929 of sins G265 that are past, G4266 through G1722 the forbearance G463 of God; G2316 To G4314 declare, G1732 I say, at G1722 this G3568 time G2540 his G846 righteousness: G1343 that G1519 he might be G1511 just, G1342 and G2532 the justifier G1344 of him G846 which believeth G4102 in G1537 Jesus. G2424
Let your conversation G5158 be without covetousness; G866 and be content G714 with such things as ye have: G3918 for G1063 he G846 hath said, G2046 I will never G3364 leave G447 thee, G4571 nor G3761 G3364 forsake G1459 thee. G4571 So that G5620 we G2248 may boldly G2292 say, G3004 The Lord G2962 is my G1698 helper, G998 and G2532 I will G5399 not G3756 fear G5399 what G5101 man G444 shall do G4160 unto me. G3427
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 40
Commentary on Exodus 40 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 40
Ex 40:1-38. The Tabernacle Reared and Anointed.
2. On the first day of the first month—From a careful consideration of the incidents recorded to have happened after the exodus (Ex 12:2; 13:4; 19:1; 20:18; 34:28, &c.), it has been computed that the work of the tabernacle was commenced within six months after that emigration; and consequently, that other six months had been occupied in building it. So long a period spent in preparing the materials of a movable pavilion, it would be difficult to understand, were it not for what we are told of the vast dimensions of the tabernacle, as well as the immense variety of curious and elaborate workmanship which its different articles of furniture required.
the tabernacle—the entire edifice.
the tent—the covering that surmounted it (Ex 40:19).
15. anoint them, as thou didst anoint their fathers—The sacred oil was used, but it does not appear that the ceremony was performed exactly in the same manner; for although the anointing oil was sprinkled over the garments both of Aaron and his sons (Ex 29:21; Le 8:30), it was not poured over the heads of the latter. This distinction was reserved for the high priest (Ex 29:7; Le 8:12; Ps 133:2).
16. Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him—On his part, the same scrupulous fidelity was shown in conforming to the "pattern" in the disposition of the furniture, as had been displayed by the workmen in the erection of the edifice.
33. So Moses finished the work—Though it is not expressly recorded in this passage, yet, from what took place on all similar occasions, there is reason to believe that on the inauguration day the people were summoned from their tents—were all drawn up as a vast assemblage, yet in calm and orderly arrangement, around the newly erected tabernacle.
34. a cloud—literally, "The cloud," the mystic cloud which was the well-known symbol of the Divine Presence. After remaining at a great distance from them on the summit of the mount, it appeared to be in motion; and if many among them had a secret misgiving about the issue, how the fainting heart would revive, the interest of the moment intensely increase, and the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when that symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically descending towards the plain below and covering the tabernacle. The entire and universal concealment of the tabernacle within the folds of an impervious cloud was not without a deep and instructive meaning; it was a protection to the sacred edifice from the burning heats of the Arabian climate; it was a token of the Divine Presence; and it was also an emblem of the Mosaic dispensation, which, though it was a revelation from heaven, yet left many things hid in obscurity; for it was a dark cloud compared with the bright cloud, which betokened the clearer and fuller discoveries of the divine character and glory in the gospel (Mt 17:5).
the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle—that is, light and fire, a created splendor, which was the peculiar symbol of God (1Jo 1:5). Whether this light was inherent in the cloud or not, it emanated from it on this occasion, and making its entry, not with the speed of a lightning flash as if it were merely an electric spark, but in majestic splendor, it passed through the outer porch into the interior of the most holy place (1Ki 8:10; Joh 1:14). Its miraculous character is shown by the fact, that, though "it filled the tabernacle," not a curtain or any article of furniture was so much as singed.
35. Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation—How does this circumstance show the incapacity of man, in his present state, to look upon the unveiled perfections of the Godhead! Moses could not endure the unclouded effulgence, nor the sublimest of the prophets (Isa 6:5). But what neither Moses nor the most eminent of God's messengers to the ancient church through the weakness of nature could endure, we can all now do by an exercise of faith; looking unto Jesus, who reflected with chastened radiance the brightness of the Father's glory; and who, having as the Forerunner for us, entered within the veil, has invited us to come boldly to the mercy seat. While Moses was compelled, through the influence of overwhelming awe, to stand aloof and could not enter the tabernacle, Christ entered into the holy place not made with hands; nay, He is Himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God, ever with the grace and truth which the Shekinah typified. What great reason we have to thank God for Jesus Christ, who, while He Himself was the brightness of the Father's glory, yet exhibited that glory in so mild and attractive a manner, as to allure us to draw near with confidence and love into the Divine Presence!
36. when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle—In journeying through the sandy, trackless deserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from time immemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted on their marches in this manner [Faber]. The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; and materials for these torches are stored up among other necessary preparations for a journey. Live fuel, hoisted in chafing dishes at the end of long poles, and being seen at a great distance, serves, by the smoke in the daytime and the light at night, as a better signal for march than the sound of a trumpet, which is not heard at the extremities of a large camp [Laborde]. This usage, and the miracle related by Moses, mutually illustrate each other. The usage leads us to think that the miracle was necessary, and worthy of God to perform; and, on the other hand, the miracle of the cloudy pillar, affording double benefit of shade by day and light at night, implies not only that the usage was not unknown to the Hebrews, but supplied all the wants which they felt in common with other travellers through those dreary regions [Faber, Hess, Grandpierre]. But its peculiar appearance, unvarying character, and regular movements, distinguished it from all the common atmospheric phenomena. It was an invaluable boon to the Israelites, and being recognized by all classes among that people as the symbol of the Divine Presence, it guided their journeys and regulated their encampments (compare Ps 29:1-11; 105:1-45).
38. the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle, &c.—While it had hitherto appeared sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, it was now found on the tabernacle only; so that from the moment that sanctuary was erected, and the glory of the Lord had filled the sacred edifice, the Israelites had to look to the place which God had chosen to put His name there, in order that they might enjoy the benefit of a heavenly Guide (Nu 9:15-23). In like manner, the church had divine revelation for its guide from the first—long before the Word of God existed in a written form; but ever since the setting up of that sacred canon, it rests on that as its tabernacle and there only is it to be found. It accompanies us wherever we are or go, just as the cloud led the way of the Israelites. It is always accessible and can be carried in our pockets when we walk abroad; it may be engraved on the inner tablets of our memories and our hearts; and so true, faithful, and complete a guide is it, that there is not a scene of duty or of trial through which we may be called to pass in the world, but it furnishes a clear, a safe, and unerring direction (Col 3:16).