1Und Jehova redete zu Mose, und sprach: 2Im ersten Monate, am ersten Tage des Monates, errichte die Wohnung des Versammlungszeltes; 3und setze darein die Lade der Verordnung, und decke über die Lade den Deckel. 4Und bringe den Tisch, und bereite ihn nach seiner Gebühr; und bringe den Leuchter, und setze darauf seine Lampen. 5Und setze den goldenen Rauchaltar vor die Lade der Verordnung; und hänge den Vorhang der Thüre zur Wohnung auf. 6Und setze den Brandopferaltar hin vor die Thüre der Wohnung des Versammlungszeltes; 7und setze das Becken zwischen das Versammlungszelt und zwischen den Altar, und thue darein Wasser. 8Und mache den Hof ringsum, und hänge den Vorhang zum Thore des Hofes auf. 9Und nimm das Salböl, und salbe die Wohnung und Alles, was darin ist, und weihe sie und alle ihre Geräthe, das sie geheiligt sey. 10Und salbe den Brandopferaltar, und alle seine Geräthe, und weihe den Altar, daß der Altar hochgeheiligt sey. 11Und salbe das Becken und sein Gestell, und weihe es. 12Und bringe Aaron und seine Söhne vor die Thür des Versammlungszeltes, und wasche sie mit Wasser; 13und bekleide den Aaron mit den heiligen Kleidern, und salbe ihn und weihe ihn, daß er mir als Priester diene. 14Und seine Söhne bringe, und bekleide sie mit den Unterkleidern; 15und salbe sie, wie du ihren Vater gesalbt hast, daß sie mir als Priester dienen; und ihre Salbung wird ihnen gelten zu einem ewigen Priesterthum durch ihre Nachkommen hinab. 16Und Mose that Alles, wie ihm Jehova geboten hatte, so that er es. 17Und es geschah im ersten Monate, im zweiten Jahre, am ersten Tage des Monates, da wurde die Wohnung aufgestellt. 18Und Mose stellte die Wohnung auf, und setzte ihre Füße an, und richtete ihre Bretter auf und setzte ihre Riegel ein, und stellte ihre Säulen auf; 19und breitete das Zelt aus über die Wohnung, und legte die Decke des Zeltes darüber von oben, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 20Und er nahm die Verordnung, und legte sie in die Lade, und steckte die Stangen an die Lade, und legte den Deckel oben auf die Lade. 21Und er brachte die Lade in die Wohnung, und hängte den Vorhang auf, und bedeckte die Lade der Verordnung, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 22Und er setzte den TIsch in das Versammlungszelt an die Mitternachtseite der Wohnung, außerhalb des Vorhanges. 23Und er ordnete darauf das Brod vor Jehova, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 24Und er setzte den Leuchter in das Versammlungszelt dem Tische gegenüber an die Mittagseite der Wohnung. 25Und er that die Lampen darauf vor Jehova, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 26Und er setzte den goldenen Altar in das Versammlungszelt, vor den Vorhang. 27Und er räucherte darauf mit wohlriechendem Räucherwerke, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 28Und er hing den Vorhang der Thür an der Wohnung auf. 29Und den Brandopferaltar setzte er vor die Thür der Wohnung des Versammlungszeltes, und opferte darauf Brandopfer und Speisopfer, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 30Und er setzte das Becken zwischen das Versammlungszelt und zwischen den Altar, und that darein Wasser zum Waschen. 31Und es wuschen sich davon Mose, und Aaron, und seine Söhne, ihre Hände und ihre Füße. 32Wann sie in das Versammlungszelt eingingen, und wann sie dem Altar sich nahten, wuschen sie sich, wie Jehova dem Mose geboten hatte. 33Und er stellte den Hof auf rings um die Wohnung und um den Altar, und hing den Vorhang des Thores zum Hofe auf. So vollendete Mose das Werk. 34Da bedeckte die Wolke das Versammlungszelt, und die Herrlichkeit Jehova's füllte die Wohnung. 35Und Mose vermochte nicht, in das Versammlungszelt einzugehen, wenn die Wolke es bedeckte, und die Herrlichkeit Jehova's die Wohnung füllte. 36Und wenn die Wolke sich hob von der Wohnung; so brachen die Söhne Israels auf in allen ihren Zügen. 37Und wenn sich die Wolke nicht erhob; so brachen sie nicht auf, bis zum Tage, da sie sich erhob. 38Denn wenn die Wolke Jehova's war über der Wohnung bei Tage, und Feuer war bei Nacht darin, vor den Augen des ganzen Hauses Israels 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).