Exodus 40
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Moses is commanded to set up the tabernacle, the first day of the first month of the second year of their departure from Egypt, Exo 40:1, Exo 40:2. The ark to be put into it, Exo 40:3. The table and candlestick to be brought in also with the golden altar, Exo 40:4, Exo 40:5. The altar of burnt-offering to be set up before the door, and the laver between the tent and the altar, Exo 40:6, Exo 40:7. The court to be set up, Exo 40:8. The tabernacle and its utensils to be anointed, Exo 40:9-11. Aaron and his sons to be washed, clothed, and anointed, Exo 40:12-15. All these things are done accordingly, Exo 40:16. The tabernacle is erected; and all its utensils, etc., placed in it on the first of the first month of the second year, vv. 17-33. The cloud covers the tent, and the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, so that even Moses is not able to enter, Exo 40:34, Exo 40:35. When they were to journey, the cloud was taken up; when to encamp, the cloud rested on the tabernacle, Exo 40:36, Exo 40:37. A cloud by day and a fire by night was upon the tabernacle, in the sight of all the Israelites, through the whole course of the journeyings, Exo 40:38.
Open source ↗THE TABERNACLE REARED AND ANOINTED. (Exo. 40:1-38) On the first day of the first month--From a careful consideration of the incidents recorded to have happened after the exodus (Exo 12:2; Exo 13:4; Exo 19:1; Exo 20:18; Exo 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 (Exo 40:19).
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... When the tabernacle, and the work of it, were finished, and he had taken a survey of it, and everything belonging to it, which appeared to be done as was ordered: saying; as follows.
Open source ↗After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc., in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.e., to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15). When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered "holy" through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering "most holy," we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called "most holy" merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10). It is sta…
Open source ↗The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Psa 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo 40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, Ch2 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Ex…
Open source ↗40:1-33 The report on setting up the Tabernacle begins with the Lord’s commands to do so (40:1-15) and continues with the report on how Moses obeyed those commands (40:16-33). • The repeated statement that Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32) is in radical contrast to Aaron’s self-serving statement in 32:22-24. God wishes to share his presence with us, but his holiness is such that this can occur only if we renounce our own efforts to secure his presence and gifts.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שָׁם (shâm, H8033) — there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box עֵדוּת (ʻêdûwth, H5715) — testimony סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… פֹּרֶכֶת (pôreketh, H6532) — a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) עֵרֶךְ (ʻêrek, H6187) — a pile, equipment, estimate מְנוֹרָה (mᵉnôwrâh, H4501) — a chandelier עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… נִיר (nîyr, H5216) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box עֵדוּת (ʻêdûwth, H5715) — testimony שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מָסָךְ (mâçâk, H4539) — a cover, i.e. veil פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כִּיּוֹר (kîyôwr, H3595) — properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מָסָךְ (mâçâk, H4539) — a cover, i.e. veil שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מִשְׁחָה (mishchâh, H4888) — unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint כִּיּוֹר (kîyôwr, H3595) — properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a… כֵּן (kên, H3653) — a stand, i.e. pedestal or station קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) כָּהַן (kâhan, H3547) — to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth, H3801) — a shirt
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