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Exodus 39
1Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
2He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
3They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.
4They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. At the two ends it was joined together.
5The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
6They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel.
7He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
8He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
9It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its breadth a span, being double.
10They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row;
11and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald;
12and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
13and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings.
14The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes.
15They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold.
16They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.
18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front.
19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward.
20They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.
21They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
22He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
23The opening of the robe in its midst was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn.
24They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen.
25They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates;
26a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
27They made the coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,
28and the turban of fine linen, and the linen headbands of fine linen, and the linen breeches of fine twined linen,
29and the sash of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
30They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it a writing, like the engravings of a signet: "HOLY TO YAHWEH."
31They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
32Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that Yahweh commanded Moses; so they did.
33They brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets,
34the covering of rams' skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen,
35the ark of the testimony with its poles, the mercy seat,
36the table, all its vessels, the show bread,
37the pure lampstand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light,
38the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
39the bronze altar, its grating of brass, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base,
40the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting,
41the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office.
42According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work.
43Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Yahweh had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
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Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Brazen Altar Exodus 39:39
the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;
Altar of Incense: Called the Golden Altar Exodus 39:38
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;
Amethyst: A Precious Stone Exodus 39:12
the third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
Badger: Skins of, Used for Covering of the Tabernacle Exodus 39:34
the covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of fine leather, and the veil of the covering;
Bell: Attached to the Hem of the Priest's Robe Exodus 39:25, 26
They also made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates, / alternating the bells and pomegranates around the lower hem of the robe to be worn for ministry, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Beryl: Set in the Breastplate Exodus 39:13
and the fourth row had a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. These stones were mounted in gold filigree settings.
Bonnet: Worn by Priests Exodus 39:28
as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,
Breastplate for the High Priest: Form and Dimensions of Exodus 39:9
It was square when folded over double, a span long and a span wide.
Breastplate for the High Priest: Materials of Exodus 39:8
He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen.
Breastplate: for High Priest: Made by Bezaleel Exodus 39:8, 21
He made the breastpiece with the same workmanship as the ephod, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen. / Then they tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with a cord of blue yarn, so that the breastpiece was above the waistband of the ephod and would not swing out from the ephod, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Breastplate: had Names of the Tribes Engraved on Precious Stones Exodus 39:10, 14
And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald; / The twelve stones corresponded to the names of the sons of Israel. Each stone was engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.
Breastplate: Inseparably United to the Ephod Exodus 39:15–21
For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold. / They also made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the two rings to the two corners of the breastpiece. / Then they fastened the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
Breeches for the Priests Exodus 39:28
as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,
Carbuncle: One of the Precious Stones Set in Breastplate Exodus 39:10
And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones: The first row had a ruby, a topaz, and an emerald;
Chains: Worn on the Breastplate of High Priest Exodus 39:15
For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.
Colors: Blue: Symbol of Deity Exodus 39:1–5, 21, 24, 29, 31
From the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn they made specially woven garments for ministry in the sanctuary, as well as the holy garments for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. / Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. / They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman.
Colors: These Colors Figured Largely in the Symbolisms of the Tabernacle Furnishing Exodus 39:2, 3, 5, 29
Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. / They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. / And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship—with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Copper Brass: Made Into: Altars Exodus 39:39
the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;
Cord: Ancient Uses of Fastening Tents Exodus 39:40
the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases; the curtain for the gate of the courtyard, its ropes and tent pegs, and all the equipment for the service of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting;
Crown: Prescribed for Priests Exodus 39:30
They also made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and they engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.
Diamond: One of the Jewels in the Breastplate Exodus 39:11
the second row had a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Dress of the Head: Bonnets (R. V., Head-Tires), Prescribed by Moses, for the Priests Exodus 39:28
as well as the turban of fine linen, the ornate headbands and undergarments of finely spun linen,
Engraving in the Priest's Crown Exodus 39:30
They also made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and they engraved on it, like an inscription on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD.
Engraving in the Priest's Girdle Exodus 39:6
They mounted the onyx stones in gold filigree settings, engraved like a seal with the names of the sons of Israel.
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
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Exodus 39:1-2 Verses 1-2
cloths of service--official robes. The ephod of the high priest, the robe of the ephod, the girdle of needlework, and the embroidered coat were all of fine linen; for on no material less delicate could such elaborate symbolical figures have been portrayed in embroidery, and all beautified with the same brilliant colors. (See on Ex 28:1-43).
Exodus 39:3 Verse 3
cut the gold into wires to work it--that is, the metal was beaten with a hammer into thin plates, cut with scissors or some other instrument into long slips, then rounded into filaments or threads. "Cloth of golden tissue is not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens of it have been found rolled about mummies; but it is not easy to determine whether the gold thread was originally interwoven or subsequently inserted by the embroiderer" [Taylor].
Exodus 39:30 Verse 30
a writing, like to the engravings of a signet--The seal-ring worn both by ancient and modern Egyptians on the little finger of the right hand, contained, inscribed on a cornelian or other precious stone, along with the owner's name, a religious sentiment or sacred symbol, intimating that he was the servant of God, or expressive of trust in Him. And it was to this practice the inscription on the high priest alludes (compare Joh 3:33).
Exodus 39:34 Verse 34
the covering of rams' skin dyed red--(See on Ex 25:5). It was probably red morocco leather and "badgers' skins," rather "the skins of the tahash, supposed to be the dugong, or dolphin of the Red Sea, the skin of which is still used by the Arabs under the same appellation" [Goss].
Exodus 39:43 Verse 43
Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded--A formal inspection was made on the completion of the tabernacle, not only with a view to have the work transferred from the charge of the workmen, but to ascertain whether it corresponded with "the pattern." The result of a careful and minute survey showed that every plank, curtain, altar, and vase had been most accurately made of the form, and in the place designed by the Divine Architect--and Moses, in accepting it of their hands, thanked God for them, and begged Him to bless them.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Exodus 39:1-31 Verses 1-31
The priests' garments were rich and splendid. The church in its infancy was thus taught by shadows of good things to come; but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel. Christ is our great High Priest. When he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, girded himself with resolution to go through the undertaking, took charge of all God's spiritual Israel, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them to his Father. And he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father's holiness. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints, Re 19:8.
Exodus 39:32-43 Verses 32-43
The tabernacle was a type or emblem of Jesus Christ. As the Most High dwelt visibly within the sanctuary, even on the ark, so did he reside in the human nature and tabernacle of his dear Son; in Christ dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col 2:9. The tabernacle was a symbol of every real Christian. In the soul of every true follower of the Saviour the Father dwells, the object of his worship, and the author of his blessings. The tabernacle also typified the church of the Redeemer. The meanest and the mightiest are alike dear to the Father's love, freely exercised through faith in Christ. The tabernacle was a type and emblem of the heavenly temple, Re 21:3. What, then, will be the splendour of His appearance, when the cloud shall be withdrawn, and his faithful worshippers shall see him as he is!