Exodus 40:32-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 40:16-33

When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off the rearing of it till they came to Canaan, though they now hoped to be there very shortly; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp, while they were in the wilderness. Those that are unsettled in the world must not think that this will excuse them in their continued irreligion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a... read more

Matthew Henry

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 40:32

When they went into the tent of the congregation ,.... Not only at this time, but at all other times: and when they came near unto the altar, they washed ; to the altar of burnt offering to offer sacrifice; and also to the altar of incense, and burn incense on that; for before whatever service they performed in the tabernacle they washed: as the Lord commanded Moses ; Exodus 30:20 this phrase is near twenty times expressed in this and the preceding chapter, to show that everything... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:33

And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar ,.... Which consisted of hangings one hundred cubits long and fifty broad; see Exodus 27:9 , &c.; and set up the hanging of the court gate ; which was at the east end of it; and the hanging was of twenty cubits, hung upon four pillars, Exodus 27:16 . so Moses finished the work ; of the tabernacle, in making it by workmen, and in rearing it up by the help of others; and as the former was the work of some... 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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 40:1-33

THE COMMAND TO SET UP THE TABERNACLE , AND ITS PERFORMANCE . All was now ready. Bezaleel and Aholiab had completed their task. The work for the tabernacle had been given in, and had been approved Moses did not however at once set it up. He waited for a command from God. After a short interval, the command came. He was ordered to select the first day of the ensuing year—the first day of the first year of freedom—for the operation. Directions were given him, which fixed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 40:1-33

The erection of the tabernacle. At last the work of preparation was over. The work for which God had begun to give instructions more than nine months previously ( Exodus 25:1 ) was completed. All the parts of the structure, pillars, curtains, boards, sockets, bars, taches, hooks, pins; and all the furniture, ark, altars, table, candlestick, laver, vessels, censers, tongs, ash-pans—were finished and ready. All had been inspected by Moses, and approved ( Exodus 39:43 ); they answered to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 40:1-33

The erection of the tabernacle. I. THE TIME . 1 . It reminded them of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage; "this month shall be unto you the beginning of months" ( Exodus 12:2 ). God's dwelling-place is ever erected amid the adoring remembrance of his redemption. "The love of Christ constraineth us." 2 . It was a consecration of the year upon which they were entering. It struck the key-note of the after time. The joy of the new year was to rise into the greater joy of... read more

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