put the bells between the pome- and the covering of badgers'
skins, and the veil of the co- An. Exod. Isr. 1.
vering,

An. Exod. Isr. 1. granates upon the hem of the
robe, round about between the

And Moses blessed them.] Gave them that praise which was due to their skill, diligence, and fidelity. See this meaning of the original word in the note on Gen. ii. 3. See also a fine instance of ancient courtesy between masters and their servants, in the case of Boaz and his reapers, Ruth ii. 4. Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, The Lord be with you! And they answered him, The Lord bless THEE! It is, however, very probable that Moses prayed to God Verse 37. The pure candlestick] See the note on in their behalf, that they might be prospered in all their chap. xxv. 31.

undertakings, saved from every evil, and be brought The lamps to be set in order] To be trimmed and at last to the inheritance that fadeth not away. This

Moses is commanded to

EXODUS.

set up the tabernacle blessing seems to have been given, not only to the John sufficiently prove: In the beginning was the workmen, but to all the people. The people con- WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD tributed liberally, and the workmen wrought faith- was GOD. And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt fully, and the blessing of God was pronounced up- among us, (εoknvwoev ev hμiv, made his TABERNACLE among us,) full of grace and truth-possessing the true Urim and Thummim; all the lights and perfections, the truth and the grace, typified by the Mosaic economy. John i. 1, 14. And hence the evangelist adds, And we beheld his glory; as the Israelites be

on ALL.

THE promptitude, cordiality, and despatch used in this business cannot be too highly commended, and are worthy of the imitation of all who are employed in any way in the service of God. The prospect of hav-held the glory of God resting on the tabernacle, so did ing God to dwell among them inflamed every heart, because they well knew that on this depended their prosperity and salvation. They therefore hastened to build him a house, and they spared no expense or skill to make it, as far as a house made with hands could be, worthy of that Divine Majesty who had promised to take up his residence in it. This tabernacle, like the temple, was a type of the human nature of the Lord Jesus; that was a shrine not made with hands, formed by God himself, and worthy of that fulness of the Deity that dwelt in it.

It is scarcely possible to form an adequate opinion of the riches, costly workmanship, and splendour of the tabernacle; and who can adequately conceive the glory and excellence of that human nature in which the fulness of the Godhead bodily dwelt ? That this tabernacle typified the human nature of Christ, and the Divine shechinah that dwelt in it the Deity that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus, these words of St.

the disciples of Christ see the Divine glory resting on him, and showing itself forth in all his words, spirit, and works. And for what purpose was the tabernacle erected? That God might dwell in it among the chil dren of Israel. And for what purpose was the human nature of Christ so miraculously produced? That the Godhead might dwell in it; and that God and man might be reconciled through this wonderful economy of Divine grace, God being in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Cor. v. 19. And what was implied by this reconciliation? The union of the soul with God, and the indwelling of God in the soul. Reader, has God yet filled thy tabernacle with his glory? Does Christ dwell in thy heart by faith; and dost thou abide in him, bringing forth fruit unto holiness? Then thy end shall be eternal life. Why shouldst thou not go on thy way rejoicing with Christ in thy heart, heaven in thine eye, and the world, the devil, and the flesh, under thy feet?

CHAPTER XL.

Moses is commanded to set up the tabernacle, the first day of the first month of the second year of their departure from Egypt, 1, 2. The ark to be put into it, 3. The table and candlestick to be brought in also with the golden altar, 4, 5. The altar of burnt-offering to be set up before the door, and the laver between the tent and the altar, 6, 7. The court to be set up, 8. The tabernacle and its utensils to be anointed, 9-11. Aaron and his sons to be washed, clothed, and anointed, 12–15. All these things are done accordingly, 16. The tabernacle is erected; and all its utensils, &c., placed in it on the first of the first month of the second year, 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, 34, 35. When they were to journey, the cloud was taken up ; when to encamp, the cloud rested on the tabernacle, 36, 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, 38,

A. M. 2514.
B. C. 1490.

An. Exod. Isr. 1.

AN ND the LORD spake
Moses, saying,

unto the testimony, and cover the ark
with the veil.

A. M. 2514.

B. C. 1490. An. Exod. Isr. 1.

4 And

Tisri to Adar.

b

f

Tisri to Adar. 2 On the first day of the first thou shalt bring in the month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of table, and set in order the things that are to the tent of the congregation. be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring

a

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

e

Chap. xii. 2; xiii. 4. bVer, 17; ch. xxvi, 1, 30.-c Ver. Ver. 23; chapter xxv. 30; Lev, xxiv. 5, 6.21; chap. xxvi. 33; Num. iv. 5.- d Ver. 22; ch. xxvi. 35.

NOTES ON CHAP. XL.

Verse 2. The first day of the first month] It is generally supposed that the Israelites began the work of the tabernacle about the sixth month after they had left Egypt; and as the work was finished about the end of the first year of their exodus, (for it was set up the first day of the second year,) that therefore they had spent about six months in making it so that the tabernacle was erected one year all but fifteen

thereof.- - Ver. 24, 25.

Heb. the order

days after they had left Egypt. Such a building, with such a profusion of curious and costly workmanship, was never got up in so short a time. But it was the work of the Lord, and the people did service as unto the Lord; for the people had a mind to work.

Verse 4. Thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things, &c.] That is, Thou shalt place the twelve loaves upon the table in the order before men. tioned, See the note on chap. xxv. 30,

The tabernacle is, erected,

A. M. 2514.
B. C. 1490.

Tisri to Adar.

CHAP. XL.

5 h And thou shalt set the altar

An. Exod. Isr. 1. of gold for the incense before the
ark of the testimony, and put the
hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-
offering before the door of the tabernacle of
the tent of the congregation.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8 And thou shalt shut up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burntoffering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar and it shall be an altar most holy. 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

and its utensils placed in it.

A. M. 2514.
B. C. 1490.

15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, An Exod. Isr. 1. that they may minister unto me

Tisri to Adar.

18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. 20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

21 And he brought the ark into the taberna`cle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony'; as the LORD commanded Moscs..

22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle

14. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe northward without the veil. them with coats:

Verse 15. For their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood] By this anointing a right was given to Aaron and his family to be high priests among the Jews for ever; so that all who should be born of this family should have a right to the priesthood without the repetition of this unction, as they should enjoy this honour in their father's right, who had it by a particular grant from God. But it appears that the high priest, on his consecration, did receive the holy unction; see Lev. iv. 3; vi. 22; xxi. 10. And this continued till the destruction of the first temple, and the Babylonish captivity; and according to Eusebius, Cyril of Jerusalem, and others, this custom continued among the Jews to the advent of our Lord, after which there is no evidence it was ever practised. See Calmet's note on chap. xxix. 7. The Jewish high priest was a type of Him who is called the high priest over the house of God, Heb. x. 21; and when he came, the functions of the other necessarily ceased. This case is worthy of observation. The Jewish sacrifices were never resumed after the destruction of their city and temple, for they hold it unlawful to sacrifice any. where out of Jerusalem; and the unction of their high

23" And he set the bread in order upon it

• Chap. xxviii. 41.—P Num. xxv. 13.4 Ver. 1 ; Num. vii. 1.- Chap. xxv. 16.-Chap. xxvi. 33; xxxv. 12. Chap. xxvi. 35.- "Ver. 4.

priests ceased from that period also: and why? Because the true priest and the true sacrifice were come, and the types of course were no longer necessary after the manifestation of the antitype.

Verse 19. He spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle] By the tent, in this and several other places, we are to understand the coverings made of rams' skins, goats' hair, &c., which were thrown over the building; for the tabernacle had no other kind of roof.

Verse 20. And put the testimony into the ark] That is, the two tables on which the ten commandments had been written. See chap. xxv. 16. The ark, the golden table with the shew-bread, the golden candlestick, and the golden altar of incense, were all in the tabernacle, within the veil or curtains, which served as a door, ver. 22, 24, 26. And the altar of burnt-offering was by the door, ver. 29. And the brazen laver, between the tent of the congregation and the brazen altar, ver. 30; still farther outward, that it might be the first thing the priests met with when entering into the court to minister, as their hands and feet must be washed before they could perform any part of the holy service, ver. 31, 32. When all these things were thus placed,

The Divine glory

A. M. 2514.

B. C. 1490.

An. Exod. Isr. 2. had commanded Moses.

Abib or Nisan.

A. M. 2514.
B. C. 1490.

before the LORD; as the LORD gregation, and when they came
near unto the altar, they wash- An. Exod. Isr. 2.
24 And he put the candle- ed; as the LORD commanded Abib or Nisan.

stick in the tent of the congregation, over
against the table, on the side of the tabernacle
southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil : .

Moses.

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.

34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled

27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the tabernacle. the LORD commanded Moses.

28

35 And Moses was not able to enter into

And he set up the hanging at the door the tent of the congregation, because the cloud of the tabernacle. abode thereon; and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

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.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.

W

31 And Moses, and Aaron, and his sons, washed their hands and their feet thereat: 32 When they went into the tent of the conChap. xxvi. 35. Ver. 4; chap. xxv. 37. Verse 5; chap. xxx. 6. Chap. xxx. 7.—2 er. 5; chapter xxvi. 36. a Ver. 6.- b Chap. xxix. 38, &c.- - Ver. 7; chapter xxx. 18. d Chap. xxx. 19, 20. Ver. 8; chap. xxvii. 9, 16. Chap. xxix. 43; Lev. xvi. 2; Numbers ix. 15; 1 Kings viii. 10, 11; then the court that surrounded the tabernacle, which consisted of posts and hangings, was set up, ver. 33. Verse 34. Then a cloud covered the tent] Thus God gave his approbation of the work; and as this was visible, so it was a sign to all the people that Jehovah was among them.

And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.] How this was manifested we cannot tell; it was probably by some light or brightness which was insufferable to the sight, for Moses himself could not enter in because of the cloud and the glory, ver. 35. Precisely the same happened when Solomon had dedicated his temple; for it is said that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord; 1 Kings viii. 10, 11. Previously to this the cloud of the Divine glory had rested upon that tent or tabernacle which Moses had pitched without the camp, after the transgression in the matter of the molten calf; but now the cloud removed from that tabernacle and rested upon this one, which was made by the command and under the direction of God himself. And there is reason to believe that this tabernacle was pitched in the centre of the camp, all the twelve tribes pitching their different tents in a certain order around it.

Verse 36. When the cloud was taken up] The subject of these three last verses has been very largely

explained in the notes on chap. xiii. 21, to which, as well as to the general remarks on that chapter, the reader is requested immediately to refer..

Verse 38. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day] This daily and nightly appearance was at once both a merciful providence, and a demonstrative proof of the Divinity of their religion: and these tokens continued with them throughout all their journeys; for, notwithstanding their frequently repeated disobedience and rebellion, God never withdrew these tokens of his presence from them, till they were brought into the promised land. When, therefore, the tabernacle became fixed, because the Israelites had obtained their inheritance, this mark of the Divine presence was no longer visible in the sight of all Israel, but appears to have been confined to the holy of holies, where it had its fixed residence upon the mercyseat between the cherubim; and in this place continued till the first temple was destroyed, after which it was no more seen in Israel till God was manifested in the flesh,

As in the book of GENESIS we have God's own account of the commencement of the WORLD, the origin of nations, and the peopling of the earth; "so in the book of EXODUS we have an account, from the same source of infallible truth, of the commencement of the Jewish CHURCH, and the means used by

Concluding observations.

CHAP. XL.

Masoretic notes.

they commence. I shall point these out as in the
former, carrying the enumeration from Genesis.
The THIRTEENTH section, called ni shemoth, be-
gins Exod. i. 1, and ends chap. vi. 1.
The FOURTEENн, called N
2, and ends chap. ix. 35.

vaera, begins chap. vi.

The FIFTEENTH, called ✰ bo, begins chap. x. 1, and

the endless mercy of God to propagate and continue | former case, by the words in the original with which his pure and undefiled religion in the earth, against which neither human nor diabolic power or policy have ever been able to prevail! The preservation of this religion, which has ever been opposed by the great mass of mankind, is a standing proof of its Divinity. As it has ever been in hostility against the corrupt passions of men, testifying against the world that its deeds were evil, these passions have ever been in hos-ends chap. xiii. 16. tility to it. Cunning and learned men have argued to render its authority dubious, and its tendency suspicious; whole states and empires have exerted themselves to the uttermost to oppress and destroy it; and its professed friends, by their conduct, have often betrayed it: yet librata ponderibus suis, supported by the arm of God and its own intrinsic excellence, it lives and flourishes; and the river that makes glad the city of God has run down with the tide of time 5800 years, and is running on with a more copious and diffusive current,

Labitur, et labetur in omne volubilis ævum.

"Still glides the river, and will ever glide." We have seen how, by the miraculous cloud, all the movements of the Israelites were directed. They struck or pitched their tents, as it removed or became stationary. Every thing that concerned them was under the direction and management of God. But these things happened unto them for ensamples; and it is evident, from Isa. iv. 5, that all these things typified the presence and influence of God in his Church, and in the souls of his followers. His Church can possess no sanctifying knowledge, no quickening power but from the presence and influence of his Spirit. By this influence all his followers are taught, enlightened, led, quickened, purified, and built up on their most holy faith; and without the indwelling of his Spirit, light, life, and salvation are impossible. These Divine influences are necessary, not only for a time, but through all our journeys, ver. 38; through every changing scene of providence, and through every step in life. And these the followers of Christ are to possess, not by inference or inductive reasoning, but consciously. The influence is to be felt, and the fruits of it to appear as fully as the cloud of the Lord by day, and the fire by night, appeared in the sight of all the house of Israel. Reader, hast thou this Spirit? Are all thy goings and comings ordered by its continual guidance? Does Christ, who was represented by this tabernacle, and in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, dwell in thy heart by faith? If not, call upon God for that blessing which, for the sake of his Son, he is ever disposed to impart; then shalt thou be glorious, and on all thy glory there shall be a defence. Amen, Amen.

On the ancient division of the law into fifty-four sections, see the notes at the end of Genesis. Of these fifty-four sections Genesis contains twelve; and the commencement and ending of each has been marked in the note already referred to. Of these sections Exodus contains eleven, all denominated, as in the

The SIXTEENTH, called n beshallach, begins chap. xiii. 17, and ends chap. xvii. 16.

The SEVENTEENTH, called xviii. 1, and ends chap. xx. 26.

yithro, begins chap.

mishpatim, begins

The eighteenth, called □' chap. xxi. 1, and ends chap. xxiv. 18. The NINETEENTH, called 7 terumah, begins chap. xxv. 2, and ends chap. xxvii. 19.

The TWENTIETH, called ́tetsavveh, begins chap. xxvii. 20, and ends chap. xxx. 10.

The TWENTY-FIRST, called Nun tissa, begins chap. XXX. 11, and ends chap. xxxiv. 35.

The TWENTY-SECOND, called p" vaiyakhel, begins chap. xxxv. 1, and ends chap. xxxviii. 20.

The TWENTY-THIRD, called "p pekudey, begins chap. xxxviii. 21, and ends chap. xl. 38.

It will at once appear to the reader that these sections have their technical names from some remarkable word, either in the first or second verse of their commencement.

MASORETIC Notes on Exodus.

Number of VERSES in Veelleh shemoth, (Exodus,) 1209.

The symbol of this number is "N; N' aleph denoting 1000, resh 200, and ǹ teth 9.

The middle verse is ver. 28 of chap. xxii. Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Its parashioth, or larger sections, are 11. The symbol of this is the word ' ei, Isa. lxvi. 1: WHERE is the house that ye will build unto me? In which aleph stands for 1, and yod for 10. Its sedarim are 29. The symbol of which is taken from Psa. xix. 3, n yechavveh: Night unto night SHOWETH FORTH knowledge. In which word, yod stands for 10, cheth for 8, 1 vau for 6, and he for 5; amounting to 29.

Its pirkey, perakim, or present chapters, 40. The symbol of which is 1 belibbo, taken from Psa. In this xxxvii. 31: The law of God is IN HIS HEART. word, beth stands for 2, lamed for 30, beth for 2, and vau for 6; amounting to 40.

95.

The open sections are 69. The close sections are Total 164. The symbol of which is yoyisadecha, from Psa. xx. 2: STRENGTHEN THEE out of Zion. In which numerical word y ain stands for 70, samech for 60,7 caph for 20, yod for 10, and ▾ daleth for 4; making together 164.

Number of words, 16513; of letters, 63467. But on these subjects, important to some, and trifling to others, see what is said in the concluding note on GENESIS.

493