Exodus 40:34-38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 40:34-38

As when, in the creation, God had finished this earth, which he designed for man's habitation, he made man, and put him in possession of it, so when Moses had finished the tabernacle, which was designed for God's dwelling-place among men, God came and took possession of it. The shechinah, the divine eternal Word, though not yet made flesh, yet, as a prelude to that event, came and dwelt among them, John 1:14. This was henceforward the place of his throne, and the place of the soles of his feet... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:34

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation ,.... The outside of it; this cloud was the same with the pillar of cloud that went before the Israelites, as soon almost as they came out of Egypt; and led them through the Red sea, and conducted them to Mount Sinai; only it now appeared in a different form, not erect as a pillar, but more expanded, so as to cover the tabernacle without: and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle ; the inside of it, not the most holy place only, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:35

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation ,.... He had been there before, both in the holy, and in the most holy place, to see that the furniture of each were put as the Lord directed, which being done he came out again; and now a cloud being on the outside of it, and the glory of the Lord within, he was so struck with an awe and reverence of the divine Being, of whose presence these were a symbol, that he could not engage his heart, or had not boldness to go into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:36

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle ,.... By the Lord himself, or it removed by his order, that is, rose up and stood above the tabernacle, and appeared in the form of a pillar, and went before it: the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys ; the motion of the cloud was a direction to set forward and continue their journey as long as it lasted; but when it rested and abode upon the tabernacle, then they stopped and rested also, as is suggested in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:37

But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not ,.... Even if it continued so two days, or a month, or a year, as very probably it sometimes did; which will in some measure account for the long continuance of the Israelites in the wilderness, see Numbers 9:22 . till the day that it was taken up : or, "of its ascent" F6 העלתו "sustolli ejus", Montanus. , being "lifted up", or going upwards, higher in the air, right over the tabernacle, or perhaps more to the front of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:38

For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day ,.... Or over it F7 על המשכן "supra tabernaculum", Drusius. , it covered it, when it abode upon it, and rested; and stood on high over it when it moved and the people journeyed: and fire was on it by night ; the same phenomenon which had the appearance of a cloud in the day time shone like fire in the night time: or "fire was in it" F8 בו "in ea"; Fagius, Junius & Tremellius; Drusius. ; that is, in the cloud;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 40:34

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, Exodus 40:35 . Precisely the same happened when Solomon had dedicated his temple;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 40:36

When the cloud was taken up - The subject of these three last verses has been very largely explained in the notes on Exodus 13:21 , to which, as well as to the general remarks on that chapter, the reader is requested immediately to refer. See Clarke's note on Exodus 13:21 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 40:38

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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 40:34

Verse 34 34.Then a cloud covered the tent The holiness of the tabernacle was proved by this signal or pledge, for the people assuredly knew that it had not been set up in vain, but that the promise given before was actually fulfilled, and that it was chosen to be the dwelling-place of God, who would be the Leader and Keeper of His people. For it was not a natural thing that the cloud should settle over the sanctuary in which the Ark of the Covenant was deposited; and much less so that by day a... read more

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