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Matthew Henry on Exodus 30:17-21
Orders are here given, 1. For the making of a laver, or font, of brass, a large vessel, that would contain a good quantity of water, which was to be set near the door of the tabernacle, Exodus 30:18. The foot of brass,…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 30:22-38
Directions are here given for making the holy anointing oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was gratef…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 30:22-38
Directions are here given for the composition of the holy anointing oil and the incense that were to be used in the service of the tabernacle; with these God was to be honoured, and therefore he would appoint the making…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 31:1-11
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skil…
Appointment of Bezaleel and Aholiab. (b. c. 1491.)
APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. (B. C. 1491.) A great deal of fine work God had ordered to be done about the tabernacle; the materials the people were to provide, but who must put them into form? Moses himself was…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:1-11
EXPOSITION THE CALL OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. The directions for the construction of the tabernacle and its furniture being now complete, and the composition of the holy oil and the holy incense having been laid down min…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:2
I have called by name. God "calls by name" only those whom he appoints to some high office, as Moses (Exodus 3:4; Exodus 33:12), Cyrus (Isaiah 45:3, Isaiah 45:4), and here Bezaleel and Aholiab. He honours us highly in e…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:3-6
Artistic excellence. I. ITS FOUNDATION A NATURAL GIFT. God singled out from the mass of the people such as were "wise hearted." A natural foundation was necessary for his spirit to work upon. It is generally allowed, in…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:3
The Spirit of God. There is no article in the Hebrew, any more than in Genesis 1:1; and some would therefore translate "a Divine Spirit"; but no change is needed. Ruakh elohim contains in itself the idea of singularity,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:5
In cutting of stones—i.e; "in Genesis-curling." The fabric of the tabernacle was entirely of metal, cloth, and wood. In carving of timber. Rather "cutting." The word is the same as that used of the stones. And no orname…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:6
Aholiab appears to have had the entire charge of the textile fabrics, both woven and embroidered (Exodus 38:23). Of the tribe of Ban. It is remarkable that Hiram, the chief artist employed by Solomon for the ornamental…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:7-11
Contain an enumeration of the various works already commanded to be made The same order is observed, except that here the tabernacle itself is placed first, and the altar of incense takes its natural position next to th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:10
The cloths of service. Rather "the vestments of office'—i.e; the distinguishing vestments of the High Priest, which he alone was allowed to wear. These were the blue robe, the ephod, the girdle of the ephod, and the bre…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 31:12-17
Orders were now given that a tabernacle should be set up for the service of God. But they must not think that the nature of the work, and the haste that was required, would justify them in working at it on sabbath days.…
The Observance of the Sabbath. (b. c. 1491.)
THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. A strict command for the sanctification of the sabbath day, Exodus 31:13-17. The law of the sabbath had been given them before any other law, by was of preparatio…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:12-18
The Sabbath. If this prohibition to work upon the Sabbath is introduced, as probably it is, lest the people, in their zeal for the service of the sanctuary, should be tempted to infringe upon the holy day, it has certai…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:12
Bezaleel and Aholiab. The calling of these two craftsmen for the work of the sanctuary, and the statement concerning Bezaleel that Jehovah had "filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:13-17
Covenant signs. To each covenant which he has made with man, God has attached some special sign or signs. And each sign has been significant, has set before the mind of those to whom it was given some great religious tr…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:13
Verily. Rosenmuller suggests, "Nevertheless." But there is no need for any change. It is a sign. Hitherto circumcision had been the only visible "sign" that the Israelites were under a special covenant with God—his peop…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:13-17
EXPOSITION THE PENALTY FOR NOT OBSERVING THE SABBATH. Various reasons have been given for this recurrence to the sanctity of the sabbath. Kurtz connects it with the giving of the two tables, in which "the law of the sab…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:14
Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death. To defile the sabbath was to do any unnecessary servile work upon it. Works of mercy, works of necessity, and works connected with religious observance were not p…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:15
The sabbath of rest. Rather, "a sabbath." There were other sabbaths besides that of the seventh day (Exodus 23:11; Le Exodus 25:2-12; etc.). By the expression, "a sabbath of rest"—literally, "a rest of resting"—the idea…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:16
For a perpetual covenant. The sabbath is itself a covenant—i.e; a part of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 24:4)—and it is, also, a sign of covenant—i.e; a perceptible indication that the nation has entered i…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 31:17
It is a sign. See above, Exodus 31:13. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth. See the comment on Exodus 20:11. And was refreshed. Literally," and took breath." The metaphor is a bold one, but not bolder than ot…