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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry on Exodus 29:38-46
In this paragraph we have, I. The daily service appointed. A lamb was to be offered upon the altar every morning, and a lamb every evening, each with a meat-offering, both made by fire, as a continual burnt-offering thr…
The Tabernacles and Its Furniture. (b. c. 1491.)
THE TABERNACLES AND ITS FURNITURE. (B. C. 1491.) I. The orders given concerning the altar of incense are, 1. That it was to be made of wood, and covered with gold, pure gold, about a yard high and half a yard square, wi…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 30:11-16
Some observe that the repetition of those words, The Lord spoke unto Moses, here and afterwards (Exodus 30:17), intimates that God did not deliver these precepts to Moses in the mount, in a continued discourse, but with…
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 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…
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 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 Golden Calf. (b. c. 1491.)
THE GOLDEN CALF. (B. C. 1491.) While Moses was in the mount, receiving the law from God, the people had time to meditate upon what had been delivered, and prepare themselves for what was further to be revealed, and fort…
The Intercession of Moses. (b. c. 1491.)
THE INTERCESSION OF MOSES. (B. C. 1491.) Here, I. God acquaints Moses with what was doing in the camp while he was absent, Exodus 32:7-8. He could have told him sooner, as soon as the first step was taken towards it, an…
Moses Breaks the Tablets of the Law. (b. c. 1491.)
MOSES BREAKS THE TABLETS OF THE LAW. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The favour of God to Moses, in trusting him with the two tables of the testimony, which, though of common stone, were far more valuable than all the preciou…
Moses Reproves Aaron; Destruction of the Idolaters. (b. c. 1491.)
MOSES REPROVES AARON; DESTRUCTION OF THE IDOLATERS. (B. C. 1491.) Moses, having shown his just indignation against the sin of Israel by breaking the tables and burning the calf, now proceeds to reckon with the sinners a…
The Intercession of Moses. (b. c. 1491.)
THE INTERCESSION OF MOSES. (B. C. 1491.) Moses, having executed justice upon the principal offenders, is here dealing both with the people and with God. I. With the people, to bring them to repentance, Exodus 32:30. 1.…
The Israelites Reproved. (b. c. 1491.)
THE ISRAELITES REPROVED. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The message which God sent by Moses to the children of Israel, signifying the continuance of the displeasure against them, and the bad terms they yet stood upon with Go…
The Tabernacle of the Congregation. (b. c. 1491.)
THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. One mark of displeasure put upon them for their further humiliation: Moses took the tabernacle, not his own tent for his family, but the tent wherein he gave…
Moses Petitions to See God's Glory. (b. c. 1491.)
MOSES PETITIONS TO SEE GOD'S GLORY. (B. C. 1491.) Moses, having returned to the door of the tabernacle, becomes a humble and importunate supplicant there for two very great favours, and as a prince he has power with God…
God's Proclamation of Himself. (b. c. 1491.)
GOD'S PROCLAMATION OF HIMSELF. (B. C. 1491.) The treaty that was on foot between God and Israel being broken off abruptly, by their worshipping the golden calf, when peace was made all must be begun anew, not where they…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 34:5-9
No sooner had Moses got to the top of the mount than God gave him the meeting (Exodus 34:5): The Lord descended, by some sensible token of his presence, and manifestation of his glory. His descending bespeaks his condes…
A Caution Against Idolatry. (b. c. 1491.)
A CAUTION AGAINST IDOLATRY. (B. C. 1491.) Reconciliation being made, a covenant of friendship is here settled between God and Israel. The traitors are not only pardoned, but preferred and made favourites again. Well may…
Solemn Feasts Appointed. (b. c. 1491.)
SOLEMN FEASTS APPOINTED. (B. C. 1491.) Here is a repetition of several appointments made before, especially relating to their solemn feasts. When they had made the calf, they proclaimed a feast in honour of it; now, tha…
The Veil of Moses. (b. c. 1491.)
THE VEIL OF MOSES. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The continuance of Moses in the mount, where he was miraculously sustained, Exodus 34:28. He was there in very intimate communion with God, without interruption, forty days a…
Orders Concerning the Tabernacle. (b. c. 1491.)
ORDERS CONCERNING THE TABERNACLE. (B. C. 1491.) It was said in general (Exodus 34:32), Moses gave them in commandment all that the Lord has spoken with him. But, the erecting and furnishing of the tabernacle being the w…
The Contributions for the Tabernacle. (b. c. 1491.)
THE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE TABERNACLE. (B. C. 1491.) Moses having made known to them the will of God, they went home and immediately put in practice what they had heard, Exodus 35:20. O that every congregation would thus…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 35:30-35
Here is the divine appointment of the master-workmen, that there might be no strife for the office, and that all who were employed in the work might take direction from, and give account to, these general inspectors; fo…
Appointment of Bezaleel and Aholiab. (b. c. 1491.)
APPOINTMENT OF BEZALEEL AND AHOLIAB. (B. C. 1491.) I. The workmen set in without delay. Then they wrought, Exodus 36:1. When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. Note, The talents we…