Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 40:17
And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first [day] of the month, [that] the tabernacle was reared up.
17. the tabernacle ] the Dwelling. So vv. 18, 19, 21, &c.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
17 33. Moses sets up the Tent of Meeting, and the Court, and arranges the sacred vessels according to the instructions given in vv. 1 8, or (in some cases) in chs. 25 31 only. He also ( vv. 23, 25, 27, 29) begins the daily services.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
On the first day of the month – That is, on the first of the month Nisan Exo 12:2; Exo 13:4, one year, wanting fourteen days, after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. They had been nearly three months in reaching the foot of Mount Sinai Exo 19:1; Moses had spent eighty days on the mountain Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28, and some time must be allowed for what is related in Exo. 24, as well as for the interval between the two periods which Moses spent on the mountain Exo. 33:1-23. The construction of the tabernacle and its furniture would thus appear to have occupied something less than half a year.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Second year after their coming out of Egypt, Num 7:1.
1490
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it came to pass in the first month, in the second year,…. Of the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt;
on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up; so that this was in the spring of the year, about the vernal equinox, on a new year’s day, that this was done, which was beginning the year well: it was within a fortnight of a year after their coming out of Egypt, and when they had been about five months and a half in building the tabernacle; for such a time it seems they were in doing that, and which, considering the many things to be done, and in the winter season, it shows great dispatch. Where was the place, in which the tabernacle was reared up, is not said: it is d observed, that near the southwest corner of that part of Mount Sinai, which is called Mount Episteme, there is a little hill called Araone by the Arabs, and by the Greeks the tabernacle of the testimony, where they say Aaron was consecrated, and first performed the offices of the priesthood: probably, says a learned man e, on this hill was placed the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses was ordered to place without the camp afar off; but he seems to mistake the tent of Moses, or however the little tabernacle erected before the grand one was made, for this tabernacle in Ex 33:7 which he seems to refer to; it is more probable that it was now reared up in the midst of the camp of Israel, see Nu 2:2.
d Pocock’s Travels, p. 147. e Clayton’s Chronology of the Hebrew Bible, p. 350.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
On the day mentioned in Exo 40:2 the dwelling and court were erected. As not quite nine months had elapsed between the arrival of the Israelites at Sinai, in the third month after the Exodus (Exo 19:1), and the first day of the second year, when the work was finished and handed over to Moses, the building, and all the work connected with it, had not occupied quite half a year; as we have to deduct from the nine months (or somewhat less) not only the eighty days which Moses spent upon Sinai (Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28), but the days of preparation for the giving of the law and conclusion of the covenant (Ex 19:1-24:11), and the interval between the first and second stay that Moses made upon the mountain (ch. 32 and 33). The erection of the dwelling commenced with the fixing of the sockets, into which the boards were placed and fastened with their bolts, and the setting up of the pillars for the curtains (Exo 40:18). “ He (Moses) then spread the tent over the dwelling, and laid the covering of the tent upon the top.” By the “covering of the tent” we are to understand the two coverings, made of red rams’ skins and the skins of the sea-cow (Exo 26:14). In analogy with this, denotes not only the roofing with the goats’ hair, but the spreading out of the inner cloth of mixed colours upon the wooden frame-work.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 17-19:
Under the workmen’s willing hands, the tabernacle was completed and erected in a very short time. Ex 19:1 fixes the date of Israel’s arrival at Sinai as the third month of the first year of their journey. The present text fixes the date of the erection of the completed structure as the first day of the first month of the second year (after leaving Egypt). Subtracting the two forty-day periods which Moses spent in the mountain receiving the Law, leaves slightly over six months of actual construction time. Some few days must be allowed for the debacle of the golden calf, and for the giving of the instructions and gathering of materials for the tabernacle. This means that the actual construction time from start to finish was six months or less.
The “sockets” were heavy bases of metal, and would tend to remain in place where they were set, flat upon the desert sand.
Verse 19 emphasizes the distinction between the “tent” ohel, and the “tabernacle” mishkan.
The text once more emphasizes that Moses followed the instructions of Jehovah faithfully in this entire project.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
17. And it came to pass in the first month In all the arrangements, which are here described, it must be especially noted, that Moses obeyed God in such a manner as not to vary in the most trifling point from the form prescribed to him. He therefore so frequently enforces the fact, that he did as God had commanded him; and not without reason, for there is nothing to which men are more prone than to mix up their inventions with God’s commands, as if they would be wiser than He is. In order then that the people might know that there was nothing of human invention in all the legal service, Moses so carefully insists on this point, and so often testifes to his obedience. But if so great the Prophet dared to attempt nothing of himself in trifling matters, how great is the audacity and arrogance of those men who arbitrarily invent innumerable figments, whereby God may be worshipped! Let us, however, learn from this passage to embrace with reverence whatever has proceeded from God, whilst we reject whatever men advance of themselves.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
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-hair coverings, must have been the main difficulty. But the family of Abraham had been familiar with tent life from the time of its quitting Ur of the Chaldees to the descent into Egypt, and its location in Egypt on the borders of the desert, in close neighbourhood to various nomadic races, had kept up its familiarity with tents, their structure, and the most approved methods of pitching and striking them. Thus it is not surprisiug that the first erection was completed in less than a day.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
ERECTION OF THE TABERNACLE, Exo 40:17-33.
17. It came to pass After all the work of the tabernacle and its furniture was finished, as related in chaps . 36-39 .
The first month Abib, (Exo 13:4,) or Nisan, (Neh 2:1,) corresponding nearly with our April . See note on Exo 12:2.
The second year The second year after the exodus . The deliverance from Egypt was an appropriate and memorable epoch in Hebrew chronology the beginning of years, as Abib was the beginning of months . Compare 1Ki 6:1.
The first day of the month Israel’s first free new year’s day, for the first day of the previous year had found them yet in the house of bondage, and fourteen days of that year passed before they departed from Egypt . About half the year had gone before they commenced the work of the tabernacle, for it was the third month when they reached the wilderness of Sinai, (Exo 19:1,) and Moses spent two periods of forty days each in the mount, (Exo 34:18; Exo 24:28,) which was nearly three months more. But six months was ample time for the work; for the tabernacle was no such elaborate structure as the temple of Solomon; and as the zeal of the people showed itself in their offering more than enough material for the structure, so that Moses had even to restrain them from bringing more, (Exo 36:5-7,) so also the work itself was doubtless carried forward with equal zeal till all was finished .
The tabernacle was reared up According to the directions which the Lord had given Moses . Exo 40:1-6.
18. Moses reared up the tabernacle We must not suppose that Moses personally and alone did all that is attributed to him in this chapter . He was probably assisted by Aaron and the “wise-hearted men . ” Exo 36:1. But Moses had the oversight and command of all these, and Aaron and his sons were not yet set apart to the priesthood . The word rendered tabernacle here is mishcan, and is used both of the enclosure of boards, and of the ornamented cloth which is described in Exo 26:1-6. No mention is made of stakes, tent-pins, ropes, ridge-poles, etc . , but all these are presupposed or implied in every erection of a tent. The description here given is very brief, and presupposes in the reader’s mind the fuller descriptions which have been given in the preceding chapters.
Sockets The silver bases for the boards, (Exo 26:19-21,) and the brazen ones for the pillars, (Exo 26:37,) to rest in . These served to hold the boards and pillars in their places, and to keep them from decay. The sockets in which the boards rested probably formed in appearance a sort of plinth around the bottom of their walls.
The boards Of shittim or acacia wood. which formed the inner enclosure. Exo 26:15-25; Exo 36:20-23.
The bars These were also of shittim wood, and made to pass through gold rings, (or staples,) probably on the outside of the boards. Exo 26:26-29. They were five in number for each side and for the western end, the middle bar in each case reaching from end to end . Both the boards and the bars were overlaid with gold, presenting to the gaze of the beholder, either on the outside or within, a vast golden surface .
Pillars Five in number, at the entrance or east end of the tent. Exo 26:37. There were also four pillars within the tabernacle to support the vail which separated the holy place from the holy of holies. Exo 26:32; Exo 36:36.
19. Spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle The tent here refers to the curtains of goats’ hair, which, in Exo 26:7, are called “a covering upon the tabernacle . ” The Hebrew words are the same in each passage, and designate the tent cloth which was placed over or above the ornamented curtains described in Exo 26:1-6. It served as a covering and protection for the “curtains of fine linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim of cunning work . ” Exo 26:1. These latter, according to Fergusson, (see p . 520,) formed the ornamented roof of the tabernacle as seen from the inside . They may, however, have been thrown over the board structure, and drawn down tightly on the outer sides. The objections to a flat roof would not apply to this set of curtains if thus adjusted, inasmuch as the tent of goat’s hair above it would have protected it from rain.
The covering of the tent above upon it This was an additional covering made of rams’ skins, dyed red, and sealskins, and spread on the top of the goat’s hair canvas for a further protection from the weather. See Exo 26:14. These several coverings made the roofing utterly impervious to the rain.
As the Lord commanded Moses This expression is here used seven times within the space of fourteen verses, (19-32,) and shows how very careful Moses was to make all things according to the pattern shown him by Jehovah. Compare Exo 25:9; Exo 25:40; Heb 8:5.
20. The testimony The two tables of stone on which the ten commandments were written by the finger of God . Exo 31:18; Exo 32:15-16. Those first written were broken by Moses, (Exo 32:19,) but another set was afterward prepared . Exo 34:4. The decalogue graven on the two stone tablets was called the testimony, because it was Jehovah’s most emphatic testimony or witness against sin a monumental expression of his will; and it was placed in the ark that it might be a witness against rebellion and sin in Israel . Compare Deu 31:26-27. When, after the lapse of several hundred years, the ark was deposited in the most holy place of the temple of Solomon, there was nothing in it but these two tables of stone . 1Ki 8:9. According to Heb 9:4, it originally contained also the golden pot of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, though these latter, according to Exo 16:34, and Num 17:10, were placed “before the testimony . ” Most writers have understood “before the testimony” as equivalent to before the ark; but according to the inspired writer of Hebrews it would mean before the testimony itself, that is, the tables inside the ark . For a description of the ark, the staves, and the mercy seat, see Exo 25:10-22.
21. Brought the ark into the tabernacle Its place was in the holy of holies, within the inner vail .
The vail of the covering The vail described in Exo 26:31-32, which hung upon four pillars, and served to cover or screen the most holy place from human eyes.
And covered the ark That is, he covered it by the vail just mentioned, and so concealed it from the gaze of men.
22. The table The table on which the “showbread” was always kept . This table is particularly described in Exo 25:23-30, where see notes .
Northward, without the vail As the tent faced the east, the north side would be to the right hand of one entering . The position of the table would thus be near the north-west corner of the holy place, and just in front, or outside of, the vail which hid the holy of holies from view .
23. Set the bread in order The manner of making this bread, and of arranging it upon the table, is described in Lev 24:5-9, where see notes . Whether Moses immediately arranged the bread, lighted the lamps, (Exo 40:25,) burnt incense, (27,) and offered sacrifices, (29,) as soon as the table, candlestick, and altars were set each in its place, according to the order of this narrative, is not quite clear . But as Aaron and his sons were not consecrated to the priesthood until after the tabernacle was set up, (Exo 40:12-15,) and so did not wash in the laver until after their consecration, (Exo 40:31-32,) it is probable that the table, lamps, and altars, like the laver, were not put to their uses until Aaron and his sons were consecrated priests. This, however, was done as soon as the tabernacle was reared up; perhaps on the same day.
24. The candlestick See Exo 25:31-37.
Side southward To the left of one entering, opposite to the showbread table . So the table and the candlestick were on opposite sides of the golden altar . See on Exo 40:26.
25. Lighted the lamps The lamps were to be kept burning, just as the showbread was to be kept standing, “before the Lord continually . ” Lev 24:1-4.
26. The golden altar Not to be confounded with the brazen altar, or altar of burnt offerings, which was placed not in the tent, but outside of it, in the court, Exo 40:29. The golden altar, or altar of incense, was placed in the holy place before the vail, so that it must have stood between the table of showbread and the golden candlestick. Compare Exo 40:22; Exo 40:24, notes. For description of this altar see notes and cut, page 535.
27. Sweet incense Hebrew, incense of spices, or aromatics . Its ingredients, and the manner of their preparation, are mentioned in Exo 30:34-36. The incense was, strictly speaking, the perfume exhaled by fire from the compounded aromatics . Incense was used in connexion with the religious ceremonies of most ancient nations . In the tabernacle service it was to be offered morning and evening, (Exo 30:7-8,) and was a beautiful and expressive symbol of the prayer of saints. Psa 141:2; Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3-4.
28. The hanging Described in Exo 26:36-37, where see notes .
29. The altar of burnt offering This was made of shittim wood, and overlaid with brass, as described in Exo 27:1-8, and so is to be distinguished from “the golden altar” mentioned in Exo 40:26, where see note . It was five times larger in breadth and width than the golden altar, and one cubit higher .
By the door Before, or in front of the door, Exo 40:6. It was placed in the open court that surrounded the tabernacle, (Exo 40:33,) and some distance in front of the tent, so as to leave room between it and the tent for the laver, Exo 40:33. On the burnt offering and the meat offering, see Lev 7:37-38, notes .
30. The laver A large circular basin, to hold water, in which the priests were to wash their hands and feet . Solomon made for the temple ten lavers, and set them on “ten bases of brass,” (1Ki 7:27-38,) but this laver of the tabernacle was probably of more simple construction . See Exo 30:18-21, notes .
33. The court round about A large enclosure of linen curtains, one hundred cubits by fifty, with a gate or entrance twenty cubits wide . See full description in Exo 27:9-18.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The Various Appointments in Place
v. 17. And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the Tabernacle was reared up, v. 18. And Moses reared up the Tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, v. 19. And he spread abroad the tent over the Tabernacle, v. 20. And he took and put the testimony into the ark, v. 21. And he brought the ark into the Tabernacle, v. 22. And he put the table v. 23. And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord, v. 24. And he put the candlestick in the Tent of the Congregation over against the table, v. 25. And he lighted the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.
v. 26. And he put the golden altar v. 27. and he burned sweet incense thereon, as the Lord commanded Moses.
v. 28. And he set up the hanging at the door of the Tabernacle, v. 29. And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the Tabernacle of the Tent of the Congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat-offering, as the Lord commanded Moses. v. 30. And he set the laver between the Tent of the Congregation and the altar, and put water there to wash withal.
v. 31. And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; v. 32. when they went into the Tent of the Congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed, as the Lord commanded Moses. v. 33. And he reared up the court round about the Tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Observe the expedition Moses used, and that every article was brought into immediate use.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the Tabernacle Set up and Dedicated
Exo 40:17-38
At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice all was finished. Moses had placed the table on the right and the candlestick on the left of the holy place; had set the incense-altar near the veil; had washed in the laver, and had anointed it and all its vessels. The Ark had been hidden behind the veil, and Aaron invested in his robes. Then the congregation, deeply moved, retired to their tents and night settled on the mountains. Moses also retired from the scene, full of thankfulness. See Psa 90:16-17.
They had hardly left the structure when the cloud that had guided their march settled down upon it, and the glory of the Lord-the Shechinah-shone within the Tabernacle itself. Moses immediately hastened back, and found the Presence of God so manifestly in possession that he dared not enter. Behold! the tabernacle of God was with men. So in after years the Divine Word dwelled in the mortal body of Jesus. See Joh 1:14, 2Co 5:1, Rev 21:3. This is the worthy close of this great book of the Exodus.
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments.
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
the first month: Exo 40:1, Exo 40:2, Num 7:1, Num 9:1
Reciprocal: Exo 26:1 – the tabernacle with ten curtains Exo 26:15 – boards Exo 26:30 – rear up the tabernacle Exo 40:16 – according Num 1:1 – on the first day
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE TENT OF MEETING
The Tabernacle was reared up.
Exo 40:17
I. There was no such thing as approaching the the tent of meeting in the wilderness except by passing by an altar baptised in blood.So for humanity to-day there is no successful approach to God possible save by that way of access opened for sinners by the precious sacrifice of Christ. The old-time Jew passing by the altar came to the laver, which indicated symbolically that a man when forgiven must proceed to be freed from sin, and that justification logically implies and demands sanctification.
II. Then, inside the Holy Place, stood the altar of incense, whose aromatic fumes ascended by the veil of testimony and even entered the Holy of Holies, thus fittingly symbolising prayer, which is the Christians vital breath and his always acceptable offering to God. Yet the incense required to be kindled with a coal from the altar of burnt-offering, which aptly teaches that prayer is acceptable only when it is based upon the sacrifice of Christ and offered in His name.
III. Opposite the incense altar stood the lampstand of beaten gold with its seven branches, typifying the perfect illumination afforded by the Holy Spirit, the light of the church, which in turn is the great light of the world. Only pure olive oil was used for the lamp-stand, only the pure oil of Christian grace and zeal enlightens humanity.
IV. Then there was the table of presence-bread, so called because the shew bread was placed directly before the veil. This bread, together with the bowls of wine which it seems were placed in position near it, symbolised communion, mans dependence upon God for daily food, and the giving of the living bread from Heaven which is a necessity for the nourishment of the spiritual life.
V. The sanctuary veil sharply distinguished between the place where men might come and the inner shrine where God would dwell alone.Beyond the veil, in a little room on which the Jew looked with unutterable awe, was situated the ark of testimony, a chest of acacia wood, containing the stone records of the Sinaitic law. The solid gold slab covering the ark was surmounted with cherubic figures with over-arching wings. Within the chest were the treasured tokens of the Law, above it hovered the ineffable glory associated with the mercy seat of golden promise. So far, in this description, we have followed the order which the Jew would take in thought, passing from without inward, but the logical order is that of the text, which begins with God, and works outward from the ark of the testimony to the altar of burnt-offering, thus teaching that salvation proceeds from God as its originating source.
Even the tabernacle required to be anointed with consecrating oil, since everything must be hallowed that bears the name of God, and for a like reason Aaron and his sons were washed with water at the door of the tabernacle. Priests must be pure. Sanctity becomes Gods sanctuary. The Lord must be worshipped in the beauty of holiness.
Illustration
(1) There is a beautiful story told of the plan by which Strasburg Cathedral was built. The architect, Erwin von Steinbach, who was given the commission to build it, was greatly troubled lest he should not get his plan sufficiently noble. He had a daughter named Sabine, who was skilful in drawing, and one night, after they had wept together over the plans, she said to her father, Dont despair; God will help us. After she fell asleep she dreamt that an angel came, and, when she had told her story, said, You shall make the plan for the minster. The angel and Sabine then set to work, and soon the plan was done. When she awoke there was a paper before her covered with drawing. Her father exclaimed, Child, it was no dream. The angel really visited you, bringing the inspiration from heaven to help us. He built the cathedral after the plan, and it was so beautiful that the people believed the story.
(2) Gods Tabernacle is set up as He commands. There is a tent, pitched among the tribes, which is His special dwelling. A prophecy the tent was of the Incarnation, when in Jesus Christ God lived among men: I remember how He spake of the Temple of His body. Yes, but a prophecy too of what I should be. In me, in my unworthy heart and life, the most high God may have His home. And oh, that it may be so!
Then, when the holy tent has been set up, it is sanctified; it is consecrated; with the anointing oil all its contents and furnishings are sprinkled. And should there not be something similar in my spiritual history? I ought to write Holiness to the Lord over all that I am and have.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in {e} the second year, on the first [day] of the month, [that] the tabernacle was reared up.
(e) After they came out of Egypt, Num 7:1.