1ER redete zu Mosche, sprach: 2Am Tag der ersten Mondneuung, am ersten auf die Neuung, errichte die Wohnung, das Zelt der Begegnung. 3Hinsetze dort den Schrein der Vergegenwärtigung und schirme den Verhang über den Schrein. 4Hinbringe den Tisch und schichte seine Schicht. Hinbringe den Leuchter und höhe seine Lichte. 5Gib die goldne Statt zum Räuchern vor den Schrein der Vergegenwärtigung. Setze die Schirmung des Einlasses an die Wohnung. 6Gib die Statt der Darhöhung vor den Einlaß der Wohnung, des Zelts der Begegnung. 7Gib den Kessel zwischen das Zelt der Begegnung und die Statt und gib Wasser darein. 8Setze den Hof ringsum und gib die Schirmung an das Tor des Hofs. 9Nimm das Öl der Salbung und salbe die Wohnung und alles, was darin ist, heilige sie und alle ihre Geräte, sie werde Heiligtum, 10salbe die Statt der Darhöhung und alle ihre Geräte, heilige die Statt, die Statt werde Heiligung für Darheiligungen, 11salbe den Kessel und seinen Kasten, heilige ihn. 12Nahe Aharon und seine Söhne zum Einlaß des Zelts der Begegnung, bade sie in dem Wasser, 13bekleide Aharon mit den Gewändern der Heiligung, salbe ihn, heilige ihn, daß er mir priestere, 14und seine Söhne nahe, bekleide sie mit Leibröcken, 15salbe sie, wie du ihren Vater salbtest, daß sie mir priestern, und das sei, daß ihnen sei ihre Salbung zu Priestertum auf Weltzeit für ihre Geschlechter. 16Mosche tats, - allwie ER ihm geboten hatte, so tat er. 17Es geschah in der ersten Mondneuung im zweiten Jahr, am ersten auf die Neuung: die Wohnung wurde errichtet. 18Mosche errichtete die Wohnung, eingab er ihre Sockel, einsetzte er ihre Balken, eingab er ihre Riegel, aufrichtete er ihre Ständer, 19ausbreitete er das Zelt über die Wohnung, aufsetzte er die Hülle des Zelts oben darüber, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 20Er nahm, er gab in den Schrein die Vergegenwärtigung, er setzte die Stangen an den Schrein, er gab das Verdeck oben auf den Schrein, 21er brachte den Schrein in die Wohnung, er setzte den Verhang der Schirmung und schirmte ihn über den Schrein der Vergegenwärtigung, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 22Er gab den Tisch in das Zelt der Begegnung an die Flanke der Wohnung nach Norden zu, ausseit des Verhangs, 23und er schichtete darauf eine Schicht Brots vor IHM, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 24Er setzte den Leuchter in das Zelt der Begegnung dem Tisch gegenüber, an die Flanke der Wohnung nach Süden zu, 25er höhte die Lichte vor IHM, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 26Er setzte die goldne Statt in das Zelt der Begegnung vor den Verhang 27und räucherte darauf Räucherwerk der Gedüfte, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 28Er setzte die Schirmung des Einlasses an die Wohnung, 29die Statt der Darhöhung setzte er vor den Einlaß der Wohnung, des Zelts der Begegnung, und höhte darauf die Darhöhung und die Hinleitspende, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 30Er setzte den Kessel zwischen das Zelt der Begegnung und die Schlachtstatt und gab Wasser hinein zum Baden, 31daß daraus badeten Mosche und Aharon und seine Söhne ihre Hände und ihre Füße, 32baden sollten sie bei ihrem Eintreten ins Zelt der Begegnung und bei ihrem Nahen zur Schlachtstatt, wie ER Mosche geboten hatte. 33Er errichtete den Hof rings um die Wohnung und um die Schlachtstatt und gab die Schirmung an das Tor des Hofs. Vollendet hatte Mosche die Arbeit. 34Die Wolke verhüllte das Zelt der Begegnung, und SEINE Erscheinung füllte die Wohnung. 35Nicht vermochte Mosche in das Zelt der Begegnung zu kommen, denn dem obwohnte die Wolke, und SEINE Erscheinung füllte die Wohnung. 36Wann die Wolke sich hob von der Wohnung, zogen die Söhne Jissraels, auf allen ihren Zügen, 37hob sich aber die Wolke nicht, zogen sie nicht bis zum Tag, da sie sich hob. 38Denn SEINE Wolke über der Wohnung des Tags und Feuer war darin des Nachts vor den Augen alles Hauses Jissrael auf allen ihren Zügen.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 2 THE TABERNACLE REARED AND ANOINTED. (Exo. 40:1-38)
On the first day of the first month--From a careful consideration of the incidents recorded to have happened after the exodus (
Exod 12:2;
Exod 13:4;
Exod 19:1;
Exod 20:18;
Exod 34:28, &c.), it has been computed that the work of the tabernacle was commenced within six months after that emigration; and consequently, that other six months had been occupied in building it. So long a period spent in preparing the materials of a movable pavilion, it would be difficult to understand, were it not for what we are told of the vast dimensions of the tabernacle, as well as the immense variety of curious and elaborate workmanship which its different articles of furniture required.
the tabernacle--the entire edifice.
the tent--the covering that surmounted it (
Exod 40:19).
15 anoint them, as thou didst anoint their fathers--The sacred oil was used, but it does not appear that the ceremony was performed exactly in the same manner; for although the anointing oil was sprinkled over the garments both of Aaron and his sons (
Exod 29:21;
Lev 8:30), it was not poured over the heads of the latter. This distinction was reserved for the high priest (
Exod 29:7;
Lev 8:12;
Ps 133:2).
16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him--On his part, the same scrupulous fidelity was shown in conforming to the "pattern" in the disposition of the furniture, as had been displayed by the workmen in the erection of the edifice.
33 So Moses finished the work--Though it is not expressly recorded in this passage, yet, from what took place on all similar occasions, there is reason to believe that on the inauguration day the people were summoned from their tents--were all drawn up as a vast assemblage, yet in calm and orderly arrangement, around the newly erected tabernacle.
34 a cloud--literally, "The cloud," the mystic cloud which was the well-known symbol of the Divine Presence. After remaining at a great distance from them on the summit of the mount, it appeared to be in motion; and if many among them had a secret misgiving about the issue, how the fainting heart would revive, the interest of the moment intensely increase, and the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when that symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically descending towards the plain below and covering the tabernacle. The entire and universal concealment of the tabernacle within the folds of an impervious cloud was not without a deep and instructive meaning; it was a protection to the sacred edifice from the burning heats of the Arabian climate; it was a token of the Divine Presence; and it was also an emblem of the Mosaic dispensation, which, though it was a revelation from heaven, yet left many things hid in obscurity; for it was a dark cloud compared with the bright cloud, which betokened the clearer and fuller discoveries of the divine character and glory in the gospel (
Matt 17:5).
the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle--that is, light and fire, a created splendor, which was the peculiar symbol of God (
1John 1:5). Whether this light was inherent in the cloud or not, it emanated from it on this occasion, and making its entry, not with the speed of a lightning flash as if it were merely an electric spark, but in majestic splendor, it passed through the outer porch into the interior of the most holy place (
1Kgs 8:10;
John 1:14). Its miraculous character is shown by the fact, that, though "it filled the tabernacle," not a curtain or any article of furniture was so much as singed.
35 Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation--How does this circumstance show the incapacity of man, in his present state, to look upon the unveiled perfections of the Godhead! Moses could not endure the unclouded effulgence, nor the sublimest of the prophets (
Isa 6:5). But what neither Moses nor the most eminent of God's messengers to the ancient church through the weakness of nature could endure, we can all now do by an exercise of faith; looking unto Jesus, who reflected with chastened radiance the brightness of the Father's glory; and who, having as the Forerunner for us, entered within the veil, has invited us to come boldly to the mercy seat. While Moses was compelled, through the influence of overwhelming awe, to stand aloof and could not enter the tabernacle, Christ entered into the holy place not made with hands; nay, He is Himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God, ever with the grace and truth which the Shekinah typified. What great reason we have to thank God for Jesus Christ, who, while He Himself was the brightness of the Father's glory, yet exhibited that glory in so mild and attractive a manner, as to allure us to draw near with confidence and love into the Divine Presence!
36 when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle--In journeying through the sandy, trackless deserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from time immemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted on their marches in this manner [FABER]. The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; and materials for these torches are stored up among other necessary preparations for a journey. Live fuel, hoisted in chafing dishes at the end of long poles, and being seen at a great distance, serves, by the smoke in the daytime and the light at night, as a better signal for march than the sound of a trumpet, which is not heard at the extremities of a large camp [LABORDE]. This usage, and the miracle related by Moses, mutually illustrate each other. The usage leads us to think that the miracle was necessary, and worthy of God to perform; and, on the other hand, the miracle of the cloudy pillar, affording double benefit of shade by day and light at night, implies not only that the usage was not unknown to the Hebrews, but supplied all the wants which they felt in common with other travellers through those dreary regions [FABER, HESS, GRANDPIERRE]. But its peculiar appearance, unvarying character, and regular movements, distinguished it from all the common atmospheric phenomena. It was an invaluable boon to the Israelites, and being recognized by all classes among that people as the symbol of the Divine Presence, it guided their journeys and regulated their encampments (compare
Ps 29:1-
Ps 29:11; Psa. 105:1-45).
38 the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle, &c.--While it had hitherto appeared sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, it was now found on the tabernacle only; so that from the moment that sanctuary was erected, and the glory of the Lord had filled the sacred edifice, the Israelites had to look to the place which God had chosen to put His name there, in order that they might enjoy the benefit of a heavenly Guide (
Num 9:15-
Num 9:23). In like manner, the church had divine revelation for its guide from the first--long before the WORD of God existed in a written form; but ever since the setting up of that sacred canon, it rests on that as its tabernacle and there only is it to be found. It accompanies us wherever we are or go, just as the cloud led the way of the Israelites. It is always accessible and can be carried in our pockets when we walk abroad; it may be engraved on the inner tablets of our memories and our hearts; and so true, faithful, and complete a guide is it, that there is not a scene of duty or of trial through which we may be called to pass in the world, but it furnishes a clear, a safe, and unerring direction (
Col 3:16).