John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 40:8
And thou shall set up the court round about ,.... Which consisted of various hangings, east, west, north, and south; see Exodus 27:9 . read more
And thou shall set up the court round about ,.... Which consisted of various hangings, east, west, north, and south; see Exodus 27:9 . read more
The directions to set up the tabernacle . read more
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
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
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
The tabernacle set up. The sanctuary did not take long in making. When hearts are wilting, gifts liberal, and hands active, work is soon accomplished. Everything was ready by the first day of the new year after leaving Egypt. The new year was inaugurated by the setting up of the finished dwelling. How suitable an employment for the new year, to consecrate our hearts anew as dwelling-places for Jehovah! The section conveys lessons as to— I. ORDER IN THE SANCTUARY . Every thing... read more
The court . See Exodus 27:9-18 ; Exodus 38:9-20 . The hanging at the court gate — i.e; the curtain at the entrance of the court ( Exodus 27:16 ; Exodus 38:18 ). read more
35:1-40:38 CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLEThis section largely repeats the instruction given on the mountain in Chapters 25-31. It emphasizes that the people had to do God’s work according to his covenant requirements. Therefore, they were to keep the Sabbath (35:1-3; cf. 31:16). If they wanted God to accept their offerings for the building of the tabernacle, they had to present those offerings in a spirit of joy and willingness (35:4-29). Though all could give offerings, only those with the... read more
"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.Exodus 25:8. This also gives the reason for the Tabernacle, that might, in a very special way, dwell among them."[1] And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.[2] And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 40:1-15
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Ps. 37:23. The time... read more