Bible Commentaries

(1) Cloths of service.—See Note on Exodus 31:10.

XXXIX.

THE MAKING OF THE HOLY GARMENTS.

(1-31) This section corresponds to Exodus 28:5-40, but does not follow exactly the same order. Exodus 39:2-7 correspond to Exodus 39:5-12 of Exodus 28; Exodus 39:8-21 to Exodus 39:13-28; Exodus 39:22-26 to Exodus 39:31-35; but after this a dislocation occurs. Exodus 39:27-29 correspond to Exodus 39:39-42 of Exodus 28, and Exodus 39:30-31 to Exodus 39:36-38. It is not clear why any change was made. The order observed in Exodus 28 seems preferable.

(3) They did beat the gold into thin plates and cut it into wires.—This very primitive method of forming gold thread is nowhere else mentioned. It implies a ruder state of the art of metallurgy than we should have expected.

To work it in the blue.—The blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the white linen thread were woven into a patterned fabric. The gold was inserted afterwards in the way of embroidery. A similar practice prevailed in Egypt (Wilkinson, Ancient Egyptians, vol. iii., p. 128).

(7) Stones for a memorial.—See Note on Exodus 28:12.

(24) Pomegranates of blue . . . and twined linen.—Rather, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, twisted together. (Comp. Exodus 28:33.)

(25) Bells of pure gold.—On the object of the bells, see Note on Exodus 28:35.

(27) They made coats.—Rather, tunics or shirts. See Note on Exodus 28:40.

(28) A mitre . . . and goodly bonnets.—The “mitre,” or rather “turban,” was for Aaron, the “goodly bonnets,” or rather “caps,” for his sons. (See the Notes on Exodus 28:36-40.)

Linen breeches.—Rather, linen drawers. These were to be made both for Aaron and for his sons. (See Exodus 28:42-43.)

(29) A girdle.—The girdle was for Aaron. It is described much more fully here than in the “instructions,” where it is called simply a “girdle of needlework” (Exodus 28:39).

(30) The plate of the holy crown.—See Note on Exodus 29:6.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE WORK TO MOSES, AND HIS APPROVAL OF IT.

(33-43) It is probable that the various parts of the work were presented to Moses for inspection as they were completed; that if they did not satisfy him, they might be altered and amended at once. Moses alone had seen “the pattern in the mount,” and Moses alone could say if the work came up to the required standard. We are not told that anything was rejected; and it is quite possible that all the portions of the work were satisfactorily rendered at their first essay by the several workmen; for the workmen, it must be remembered, besides receiving instructions from Moses, were divinely assisted in the production of their several works (Exo. ).

(34) The vail of the covering—i.e., the vail which separated between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies, covering the latter from the sight of man. (Comp. Exodus 40:21.)

(37) The lamps to be set in order.—Heb., the lamps of arrangement. The reference is probably to the arrangement of the lamps in a single line or row. (Comp. Leviticus 24:6.)

(41) The cloths of service . . . and the holy garments.—There is no “and” in the original. Translate, the cloths of service to do service in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments. The second and third clauses are exegetical of the first. (See Note on Exodus 31:10.)

(43) Moses did look upon all the work—i.e., inspected it, examined it, to see if it was “according to the pattern” shown him. Being satisfied, he expressed his own and God’s approval by blessing those who had worked so faithfully.