Bible Commentaries
Exodus 40

Verse 1

the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. spake . See note on Exodus 6:10 , and compare note on Exodus 3:7 .

Verse 2

the first day of the first month . Six events in Scripture on this day. See note on Genesis 8:13 .

first month . On the fourteenth day the first Pass-over was kept (Numbers 9:1-3 ). On the first day of the second month they were numbered (Numbers 1:1 , Numbers 1:2 ): (50 days between Exodus 40:17 and Numbers 10:11 ). In the interval comes the book of Leviticus, and Numbers 1:1 - Exodus 10:10 . On the twentieth day of the second month the Tabernacle was taken down, and the journey began from Sinai to Canaan (Numbers 10:11 ). See App-50 .

tabernacle. = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan, App-40 . tent. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 .

Verse 3

ark . See note on Exodus 25:22 .

cover = screen.

ark. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel read "ark and the mercy seat".

Verse 4

set in order : i, e. in two piles, six loaves in each pile, answering to the stones on the shoulders of the High Priest. There was a golden dish at the bottom of each, and another reversed on the top, with a golden bowl of frankincense on the top. Compare Exodus 25:23-30 .

light = set up, or mount.

Verse 5

door = entrance.

Verse 9

anoint , Compare Exodus 30:22-29 .

hallow . . . holy. See note on "holy", Exodus 3:8 .

vessels = furniture.

Verse 10

most holy . Hebrew holiness of holinesses. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) for emphasis.

Verse 11

foot = base.

Verse 12

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. 'ohel ( App-40 ).

wash = bathe. Compare Exodus 29:1-4 . with, or in.

Verse 13

anoint him . Compare Exodus 29:5-7 .

Verse 14

clothe. Compare Exodus 29:8 , Exodus 29:9 .

Verse 15

as = according as.

Verse 19

as = according as. See note on Exodus 39:1 , and note the seven occurrences of the expression "as Jehovah commanded Moses" in this chapter as in chapter 39.

Verse 20

mercy seat . See note on Exodus 25:1 .

Verse 22

side . Hebrew. yarek = the opposite side.

Verse 29

burnt offering . Hebrew. 'olah, See App-43 . washed. The ceremonial cleansings or "baptisms "(Hebrews 6:2 ), always performed by the persons themselves.

Verse 33

the work . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "all the work".

Verse 34

THE APPROBATION AND BLESSING OF JEHOVAH, Corresponding with that of Moses in Exodus 39:43 .

Verse 36

when the cloud, &c. This continued till Moses' death, when the ark (which till then was carried in the midst of the host) took its place and went "before them". See Joshua 3:3-6 , Joshua 3:11 .

children = sons.

journeys = journeyings. Literally settings forward.

Verse 38

on it : i.e. in the cloud.

house of Israel . See note on Exodus 16:31 .