Chapter L (continued, part 3)
Ver. 1-3.3. Laws concerning Slander, &c. 1. put not tkine hand—Join not hands. 3. decline—depart, deviOte from tlie straight path of rectitude. 3. countenance —«<lorn, embellish—thou shalt not varnish the cause even of a poor man to give It a better colouring than it merits. lO, 11. six years thon shalt sow thy land—Intermitting the cultivation of the land every seventh year. But it appears that even then there was a spontaneous produce which the poor were permitted freely to gather for their use, and the beasts driven out fed on the remainder, the owners of fields not being allowed to reap or collect the fruits of tlie vineyard or ollveyard during the oourse of this sabbatical year. This was a regulation subservient to many excellent purposes; for, besides In- •tJcatlng the general lesson of dependence on Provid«uce, and of confidence in His falthfulnetss to His prom-
Delivery of the Law and Covenant. EXODUS XXV. Concerning an Offering.
Mood, and sprinkled it on the people—probably on the twelve pillars, as represeuting the people (also Uie book, Hebrews 9. 19), and the act was accompanied by a public pioclamation of its import. It was setting their seal to the covenant (of. 1 Corinthians II. 25). It must have been a deeply impressive, as well as instructive scene, for it taught the Israelites that the covenant was made with them only through the sprinkling of blood— that the Divine acceptance of themselves and services, was only by virtue of an atoning sacritice, and that even the blessings of the national covenant were promised and secured to them only through grace. The ceremonial, however, had a further and higher significance, as is shown by the apostle (see as above). 9. Then went np Moses and Aaron—In obedience to a command given {v. 1, 2 ; also cli.
their sovereign, they were expected to contribute to His state, as other subjects to their kings; and the "ottering" required of them was not to be imposed as a tax, but to come from their own loyal and liberal feelings. 3. this ia the offering which ye sliall take of them—The articles of which the offerings should consist, brass—rather copper, brass being a composite metal. 4. goats' hair—or leather of goats' skin. 5. badgers' skin—Tlie badger was an unclean animal, and is not a native of the East—rather some kind of fish, of the leather of which sandals are made in the East, shittlm wood—or Shittah (Isaiah 41. 19), the acacia, a shrub which grows plentifully in the deserts of Arabia, yielding a light, strong, and beautiful wood, in long planks. 7. Ephod—a square cloak, hanging down from the shoulders, and worn by priests. 8. a sanctuary
tliat I may dwell among them—In one sense the tabernacle was to be a palace, the royal residence of the king of Israel, in which he was to dwell amongst his people, receive their petitions, and issue his responses. But it was also to be a place of worship. In which God was to record His name and to enshrine the mystic symbols of His presence. 9. According to all tliat I show tliee, after tlie pattern of the tabernacle—The proposed erection could be in the circumstances of tlie Israelites, not of a fixed and stable but of a temporary and movable description, capable of being carried about with them in their various sojournings. It was made after " the pattern " shown to Moses, by which is now generally understood, not that it was an unheard-of novelty, or an entirely original structure, for it is ascertained to have borne resemblance in form and arrangements to the style of an Egyptian temple, but tliat it was so altered, modified, and purified from all idolatrous associations, as to be appropriated to right objects, and suggestive of ideas connected witli the true God and His worship. 10. an nrk—a coffer or chest, overlaid with gold, tlie dimensions of which, taking the cubit at eighteen inches, are computed to be t luee feet nine inches in length, two feet three inches in breadth. 11. a crown—a rim or cornice. 13. rings—staples for the poles, with which it was to be carried from place to place. 15. staves shall be in the rings of the ark i. e., alwaya remain in the rings, wlietlier the ark be at rest or in motion. 16. tlie testimony—that is, tlie two tables of stone, containing the ten commandments, and called " tlie Testimony," because by it God did testify His sovereign authority over Israel as His people, His selection of them as the guardians of His will and worship, and His displeasure in the event of their transgressing His laws ; while on their part, by receiving and depositing this law in its appointed place, they testified their acknowlciiginent of God's right to rule over them, and their submission to tlie authority of His law. The superb and elaborate style of
19. 24), previous to the religious engagement of the people, now described. Nadab and Ablhu—the two eldest sons of Aaron, seventy of tlie elders—a select number ; what was the principle of selection is not said; but they were the chief representatives, the most conspicuous for oflicial rank and station, as well as for their probity and weight of character in their respective tribes. 10. they sa%v the God of Israel—That there was no visible form or representation of the Divine nature, we have express intimation (Deuteronomy 4. 15). But a symbol or emblem of HiS gl( >ry was distinctly, and at a distance, displayed before those chosen witnesses. Many think, however, that in this private scene was discovered, amid the luminous blaze, the faint adumbrated form of the humanity of Christ (Ezekiel 1.26; cf. Galatians 3.24). sapphire—one of the most valuable and lustrous of the precious gems of a sky-blue or liglit azure colour, and frequently chosen to describe the throne of God (see Ezekiel 1.26; 10.1). 11. npon the nohles of the clilldren of Israel lie laid not his hand—The " nobles," i. e., the elders, after the sprinkling of the iflood, were not inspired with terror in presence of the calm, benign, radiant symbol of the Divine majesty; so dift'erent from the terrific exhibitions at the giving of the law. The report of so many competent witnesses would tend to confirm the people's faith in the divine mission of Moses, eat and drink —feasted on the peace offering—on the remnants of the late sacrifices and libations. This feast had a prophetic bearing, intimating God"s dwelling with men. 13. I will give thee tables of stone—The ten commandments, whicli had already been spoken, were to be given In a permanent form. Inscribed on stone, for greater durability, by the hand of God himself, they were thus authenticated and honoured above the judicial or ceremonial parts of the law. 13. Moses Avent up Into the mount of God—He was called to receive the Divine transcript. Joshua was taken a little higlier, and it would be a great comfort for the leader to have his company during the six days he was in patient waiting for the call on the seventh or sabliath-day. 14. he said unto the elders, Tarry ye Iiere for us—There is a circular valley or hollow a good way up on thebrowof Jebel Musa, which WIS their halting-place, while he alone was privileged to asct nd the highest peak. The people stood below, as in the "outer court," the elders in the "lioly place," Moses, as a type of Christ, in "the holy of holies." 18. Mosa-s went Into the midst of the cloud—the visible tolcen of God's presence. Divine grace animated and suiiported him to enter with holy boldness. Moses was In the mount forty days and forty niglits—Tl\e six days spent in waiting are not included. During that protracted period lie was miraculously supported (Deuteronomy 9.
tlie ark that contained " the Testimony" was emblematic of the great treasure it held; in otlier words, the incomparable value and excellence of the Word of God, while
its being placed In this chest furtlier showed the great care which (Jod has ever taken for preserving it. 17. thou shalt make a mercy-scat of pure gold—to serve as a lid, covering it exactly. It was "the propitiatory cover," as tlie term may be rendered, denoting tlial Clirist, our great propitiation, has fully answered all the demands of the law, covers our transgressions, and comes between us and the curse of a violated law. 18. two chrriiblm—The real meimlng of tlieso figures, as well as
tile shape or form of tliem, is not known with certainty probably similar to wliat was afterwards introduced Into the temple, and described, Ezekiel 10. Tliey stretched out their wings, and their faces were turned towards the mercy-seat, probably in a bowing attitude. Tlie prevailing opinion now is, tliat those splendid figures were symbolical not of angelic but of earthly and lunnan beings— the members of the church of God interested ii» tlie dispensation of grace, the redeemed In every age—and tViat these hieroglyphic forms symboUzcHl tlio qualities of the true people of God—courage, patience, intelligence, and activity. 33. there I wlU meet with tlice, and I will commune with thee fi-om al>ovc tlic mercy-seat—The SliecJiinah or symbol of the Divine presence rested on the
9), on a peak scarcely thirty paces In compass. CHAPTER XXV.
Ver. 1-40. Concerning an Offerinq. 1. the liord spake unto Moses, &c.—The business tliat chiefly occupied Moses on the mount, whatever otherdlsclosures were made to him there, was In receiving directions about the
tabcrna<de, and tliey are here recorded as given to him.
ti. bring iiie an oflTvrlngt of every man that glvcth It
willingly, &c,—Having declared allegiance to God as 64
PLANTS MENTI«NED IN THE SCRIPTURE&
BULRUSH.
Is. xviii. 3.
OIL TREK.
Ii. ill. la.
The Tuble nf Showbread. EXODLS XXVI—XXVIII.
* Altar for Burnt Offering.
mercy-seat, and was indicated by a cloud, from the midst of wliicli responses were audibly given when God was consulted on behalf of His people. Hence God is described as "dwelling" or "sitting" between the cherubim. X3. tabic of gliittlm wood—of the same material and decoiations as the ark, a,nd like it, too, furnished with rings for the poles on which it was carried. The staves, however, were taken out of it when stationary, in order not to encumber the priests while engaged in their services at the table. It was lialf a cubit less than the ark, but of the same height. 24. crown—The moulding or ornamental rim, which i? thought to have been raised above the level of the table, to prevent any thing from falling off. 29. di^es—broad platters, spoons—cups or concave vessels, used for holding incense, covers—both for bread and incense, bowls—cups ; for though no mention is made.of wine, libations were undoubtedly made to God, according to Josephlts and tlie rabbins, once a week, when the bread was changed, to cover withal—rather to pour out withal. 30. sliowbread lit., presence bread, so called because it was constantly exhibited before the Lord, or because the bread of His presence, like the angel of His presence, pointed symbolically to Christ. It consisted of twelve unleavened loaves, said traditionally to have been laid in piles of six each. This bread was designed to be a sj'mbol of the full and never-failing provision which is made in the church for the spiritual sustenance a;nd refreshment of God's people. 31. candlestick —lU., a lamp-bearer. It was so constructed as to be capable of being taken to pieces for facility in removal. The shaft or stock rested on a pedestal. It had seven branches, shaped like reeds or canes—three on each side, with one In the centre—and worked out into knobs, flowers, and bowls, placed alternately. The figure represented on the arch of Titus gives the best idea of this candlestick. 33. knops—old spelling for knobs—bosses. 37. tbcy slinll light the lamps . . . that they may give liglit—The light was derived from pure olive oil, and probably kept continually burning (cf. eh. 30. 7; Leviticus 24. 2). 38. tongs—snuffers. 39. a talent of pure gold—in weight equivalent to li5 lbs. troy. 40. look that tliou make them after their pattern—This caution, which is repeated with no small frequency in other parts of the narrative, is an evidence of the deep interest taken by the Divine King in the erection of His palace or sanctuary
for the protection of its pi pcious furniture. 30. »>i hitit^- ing for the door of the tent—curtains of rich and eliilxirate embroidery made by tjie female inmates, are suspended over the doors or entrances of the tents occupied by Eastern chiefs and princes. In a similar style of elegance was the hanging finished w.iich was to cover the door of this tabernacle—the chosen habitation of the God and King of Israel. It appears from verses 12, 22, 2:^, that the ark and meroy-seat were placed iii the west end of the tabernacle, and consequently the door or entrance fronte d the east, so that the Israelites in worshipping Jehovah, turned their faces towards the west, that they miglitr be thus figuratively taught to turn from the worsliip of that luminary which was the great idol of the nations, and to adore the God who made it and them. [Hewletp.] CHAPTER XXVII.
Ver. 1-21. Altab for Burnt Offering. 1. altar of shittim wood—The dimensions of this altar which was placed at the entrance of the sanctuary were nearly three yards square, and a yard and a half in height. Under the wooden frame of this chest-like altar the inside was hollow, and each corner was to be terminated by "horns"— angular pi-ojections, perpendicular or oblique, in the form of horns. The animals to be sacrificed were bound to these (Psalm 118. 27), and part of the blood was applied to them. 3. shovels—fire shovels for scraping toget her any of the scattered ashes, basons—for receiving the blood of the sacrifice to be sprinkled on the people, fleshhooks—curved, three-pronged forks (1 Bamuel 2. 13, 14). fire-pans—A large sort of vessel, wherein the sacred fire which came down from heaven (Leviticus !). 24) was kept burning, while they cleaned the altar and the grate from the coals and ashes, and while the altar was carried from one place to another in the wilderness. [Patkick, Spencer, Le CliERC] 4. a grate of net-work of brass—bunlt lattice-work to support the fire. 5. put it under tlie compass of the altar beneath—i. e., the grating in which they were carried to a clean place (Leviticus 4. 12). 4. four brazen rings—by which the grating might be
lifted and taken away as occasion required from the body of the altar. 6, 7. staves , . , rings—those rings were placed at the side through which the poles were inserted' on occasions of removal. 9. tlie court of the tabernacle —The enclosure in which the edifice stood was a rectangu-
and it is impossible to account for the circumstance of God's condescending to such minute details, except on the assumption that this tabernacle was to be of a typical character, and eminently subservient to the religious instruction and benefit of mankind, by shadowing forth in Its leading features the grand truths of the Christian church. • CHAPTER XXVI.
lar court, extending rather more than fifty yards in length,
and half that space in breadth, and the enclosing parapet was about three yards or half the height of the tabernacle. That parapet consisted of a connected series of curtains, made of fine twined linen yarn, woven into a kind of network, so that the people could see through ; but that largo curtain which overhung the entrance was of a differenttexture, being embroidered and dj'ed with variegatadi
colours, and it was furnished with cords for pulling it up or drawing it aside when the priests had occasion to enter. The curtains of this enclosure were supported on sixty brazen pillars which stood on pedestals of the same metal, but their capitals and fillets were of silver, and' the hooks on which they were suspended were of silver
Ver. 1-37. Ten Curtains. 1. cunning work—i. e., of elegant texture, richly embroidered. The word "cunning," in old English, is synonymous with skilful. 2. length—Each curtain was to be fifteen yards in length and a little exceeding two in breadth. 3. Tlie five curtains shall be coupled together one to another, &c. so as to form two grand divisions, each eleven yards wide. 6. taches—clasps; supposed in shape, as well as in use, to be the same as hooks and eyes. 7-13. curtains of goats' hair— These coarse curtains were to be one more in number than the others, and to extend a yard lower on each side, the use of them being to protect and conceal the richer curtains. 14. a covering ... of rams' skins dyed red—t. e., of Turkey red leather. 15-30. thou shalt make boards . . . rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion . . . which was showed thee—The tabernacle, from Its name, as well as from Its general appearance and arrangements, was a tent ; but from the description given In these verses, the boards that formed Its walls, the Ave (cross) bars that strengthened them, and the middle bar that " reached from end to end," and gave
also. 19. pins—wer6 designed to hold down the curtains
at the bottom, lest the wind should waft them aside.. 30, 21. pure oil olive beaten i. e., such as runs from: the olives when bruised and without the application of fire, for the light . . . Aaron and his sous—were to take
charge of lighting it In all time coming, shall order It': from evening to morning—The tabernacle having no windows, the lamps required to be lighted during the day. JosEPHUS says that In his time only throe were lighted; but his were degenerate times, and there is no Scripture authority for this limitntlon. But altlioirgh the priests were obliged from necessity to light th«ra by day, they might have let them go out at night hatJr lt n^t beeii for this express ordinance.
CHAPTER XXTITTl
It solidity and compactness, it was evidently a more substantial fabric than the light and fragile tent, probably on account of the weight of its various coverings as well as
Ver. 1-43. Appointment to the I'R'.Esrwoon. 1. takethoutmto thee Aaron thy brotlior, Aiulhts sons witl».
Appointment to the l^iesthood. EXODUS XXIX. Consecration of the Priests, ett.
hina—Moses had hitherto discharged the priestly functions (Psalm 'J9. 6), and he evinced the piety as well as uumility of his character, in readily complying with the ooiinaand to invest his brotlier with the sacred office, though it involved the perpetual exclusion of his own family. The appointment was a special act of God's sovereignty, so that there could be no ground for popular, umbrage by the selection of Aaron's family, with whom the office was inalienably established and continued in unbroken succession till the introduction of the Christian
judge ; so that soma think the Urim and Thummim had a reference to his judicial functions. 31. the robe of the ephod all of blue—it was the middle giirment, under the ephod and above the coat. It had a hole through which the head was thrust, and was formed carefully of one piece, such as was the coat of Clirist (John 19. '£>•). The high priest's was of a sky-blue colour. The binding at
tlie neck was strongly woven, and it terminated below in a fringe, made of blue, purple, and scarlet tassels, in the form of a pomegranate, interspersed with small l>ells<il gold, which tinkled as the wearer was in motion. 34. a golden bell and a pomegranate—The bells were hung between the pomegranates, which are said to have amounted to seventy-two, and the use of them seems to have been to announce to the people when the high priest entered the most holy place, that they miglit accompany him with their prayers, and also to remind himself to be attired in his official dress, to minister without which was death. 3#-38. mitre—crown-like cap for the head, not covering the entire head, but adhering closel.v to it, composed of fine linen. The Scripture has not described
era. holy garments— No inherent holiness belonged either to the material or the workmanship. But they are called "holy" simply because they were not worn on ordinary occasions, but assumed in the discharge of the sacred functions (Ezekiel 41. 19). for glory and for beauty—It was a grand and sumptuous attire. In ma-
terial, elaborate embroidery, and colour, it had an imposing splendour. The tabernacle being adapted to the infantine aid of the church, it was right and necessary that the priests' garments should be of such superb and dazzling appearance, that the people miglit be inspired with a due respect for the ministers as well as the rites of
Its form, but from Josephus we may gather that it was conical in shape, as he distinguishes the mitres of the common priests by saying that they were 7iot conical— that It was encircled with swathes of blue embroidered, and that it was covered by one piece of line linen to hide the seams, plate lit., a petal of a flower, which seems to have been the figure of this golden plate, which was tied with a ribbon of blue on the front of the mitre, so that every one facing him could read the inscription. 39. coat of flne linen—a garment fi\stened at the neck, and reaching far down the person, with the sleeves terminating at the elbow, girdle of needle-work—a piece of tine twined linen, riclily embroidered, and variously dyed. It Is said to have been very long, and being many times wound round the body, it was fastened in front, and the ends hung down, which, being an impediment to a priest In active duty, were usually thrown across the shoulders. This was the outer garment of the common priests. 40. bonnets—turbans. 4^. linen breeches drawers, which encompassed the loins and reached halfway down the thighs. They are seen very frequeutl> represented in Egyptian figures.
religion. But they had also a further meaning; for being
all made of linen, they were symbolical of the truth, purity, and other qualities in Christ that rendered Him such a high priest as became us. 6-14. epliod—It was a very gorgeous rot)e made of by ssus, curiously embroidered, and dyed with variegated colours, and further enriched with golden tissue, the tlireads of gold being either originally interwoven or afterwards inserted by the embroid-
erer. It was short—reaching from the breast to a little below the loins—and though destitute of sleeves, retained
its position by the support of straps thrown over each shoulder. These straps or braces, connecting the one with tlie back, the other with the front piece of which the tunic was composed, were united on the shoulder by two onyx stones, serving as buttons, and on wliich the names of tlie twelve tribes were engnivetl, and set In golden encasements. The symbolical design of this was, that the high priest, who bore the names along with him in all his ministrations before the Lord, might be kept in remembrance of his duty to plead their cause, and supplicate the accomplisliment of the Divine promises in their favour. Tlie epho<l was fastened by a girdle of the same costly materials, i. e., dyed, embroidered, and wrought with threads of gold. It was about a hand-breadth wide, and wound twice round the upper part of the waist; it fastened in front, the ends hanging down at great length (Revelation 1. 13). l.'>-!49. tliou lialt make the breagtplate of Judgment with cunning work—a very splendid and richly eiiiljroldered piece of brocade, a span square, and doul)lod, to enable it the better to bear the weight of the precious stoues in it. There were twelve dlll'erent stones, containing each tlie name of a tribe, and arranged in four rows, tliree in each. The Israelites had acquired a knowledge of tlie lapidary's