And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ,.... To wash, anoint, and clothe them, as in the two following verses Exodus 40:13 , that they might minister in the priest's office, according to Exodus 28:41 read more
And thou shall anoint them as thou didst anoint their father ,.... For Aaron was first anointed, and then his sons: that they may minister unto me in the priest's office ; which they might not do before their anointing, though separated for it, and called unto it: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations ; that is, this ceremony of anointing was to be used in all ages at the investiture of the high priest with his office, until the... read more
Thus did Moses ,.... He set up the tabernacle, and every thing in its place, and anointed them, and Aaron and his sons: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he ; by which he approved himself to be a faithful servant in the house of God. read more
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 days after they had left Egypt. Such a building, with such a profusion of curious... read more
Thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things, etc. - That is, Thou shalt place the twelve loaves upon the table in the order before mentioned. See Clarke's note on Exodus 25:30 . read more
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 honor 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 Leviticus... read more
Verse 2 Exodus 40:2.On the first day of the first month I cannot at all approve of the opinion of those commentators who think that the tabernacle was only now set up. That it was already complete in all its parts before Moses went the second time into the Mount, we infer from the fact that the ark was then prepared in which the tables were deposited, as we shall see from the context. Besides, it has elsewhere (394) been shewn by sound arguments, as I think, that it was pitched without the camp... read more
Verse 9 9.And thou shalt take the anointing oil There was by no means any virtue or efficacy for sanctification in the oil, except in so far as it was a type of the Spirit, from whom as its only source all holiness emanates. Assuredly the oil, as being a corruptible fluid, neither penetrates into the soul, nor would by itself at all avail unto spiritual service. It appears, however, from many pnssages of Scripture, that it was a symbol of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This figure,... read more
Verse 12 12.And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons I have already expounded all that might seem to be profitable with respect to the garments and the mode of anointing; only let; my readers remember that the priest, (398) who had been before appointed, is now at length inaugurated, in order that he may begin the discharge of his office. At the same time, let them also bear in mind that this oil was consecrated by God. Hence it appears how foolishly the Popish bishops, as it were, ape Moses,... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:9-11
And thou shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle ,.... In this, and the two following verses Exodus 40:10 , orders are given for the anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels, the altar of burnt offering and its vessels, the laver and its foot, whereby they were consecrated for divine use and service, according to Exodus 30:26 read more