---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 31 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/31/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 31. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/31/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 31. Exodus · 10 of 14

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/31/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/31/#p-N

[¶0] 22. there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat--The Shekinah, or symbol of the Divine Presence, rested on the mercy seat, and was indicated by a cloud, from the midst of which responses were audibly given when God was consulted on behalf of His people. Hence God is described as "dwelling" or "sitting" between the cherubim.

[¶1] 23. table of shittim wood--of the same material and decorations as the ark [see on Ex 25:5], and like it, too, furnished with rings for the poles on which it was carried [Ex 25:26]. 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 half a cubit less than the ark in length and breadth, but of the same height. [See on [Ex 25:10].]

[¶2] 24. crown--the moulding or ornamental rim, which is thought to have been raised above the level of the table, to prevent anything from falling off.

[¶3] 29. dishes--broad platters.

[¶4] spoons--cups or concave vessels, used for holding incense.

[¶5] covers--both for bread and incense.

[¶6] bowls--cups; for though no mention is made of wine, libations were undoubtedly made to God, according to Josephus and the rabbins, once a week, when the bread was changed.

[¶7] to cover withal--rather, "to pour out withal."

[¶8] 30. showbread--literally, 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 symbol of the full and never-failing provision which is made in the Church for the spiritual sustenance and refreshment of God's people.

[¶9] 31. candlestick--literally, "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 center--and worked out into knobs, flowers, and bowls, placed alternately [Ex 25:32-36]. The figure represented on the arch of Titus gives the best idea of this candlestick.

[¶10] 33. knops--old spelling for "knobs"--bosses.

[¶11] 37. they shall light the lamps ... that they may give light--The light was derived from pure olive oil, and probably kept continually burning (compare [Ex 30:7]; [Le 24:2]).

[¶12] 38. tongs--snuffers.

[¶13] 39. a talent of pure gold--in weight equivalent to 125 lbs. troy.

[¶14] 40. look that thou 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; 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 26

### Ex 26:1-37. Ten Curtains

[¶17] 1. cunning work--that is, of elegant texture, richly embroidered. The word "cunning," in old English, is synonymous with "skilful."

[¶18] 2. length--Each curtain was to be fifteen yards in length and a little exceeding two in breadth.

[¶19] 3. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another, &c.--so as to form two grand divisions, each eleven yards wide.

[¶20] 6. taches--clasps; supposed in shape, as well as in use, to be the same as hooks and eyes.

[¶21] 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.

[¶22] 14. a covering ... of rams' skins dyed red--that is, of Turkey red leather. [See on [Ex 39:34].]

[¶23] 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 five (cross) bars that strengthened them, and the middle bar that "reached from end to end," and gave it solidity and compactness, it was evidently a more substantial fabric than a light and fragile tent, probably on account of the weight of its various coverings as well as for the protection of its precious furniture.

[¶24] 36. an hanging for the door of the tent--Curtains of rich and elaborate embroidery, made by the women, 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 which was to cover the door of this tabernacle--the chosen habitation of the God and King of Israel. It appears from [Ex 26:12], [22, 23], that the ark and mercy seat were placed in the west end of the tabernacle, and consequently the door or entrance fronted the east, so that the Israelites in worshipping Jehovah, turned their faces towards the west; that they might be thus figuratively taught to turn from the worship of that luminary which was the great idol of the nations, and to adore the God who made it and them [Hewlett].

### Chapter 27

### Ex 27:1-21. Altar for Burnt Offering

[¶27] 1-2. 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 projections, perpendicular or oblique, in the form of horns. The animals to be sacrificed were bound to these ([Psa 118:27]), and part of the blood was applied to them.

[¶28] 3. shovels--fire shovels for scraping together any of the scattered ashes.

[¶29] basons--for receiving the blood of the sacrifice to be sprinkled on the people.

[¶30] fleshhooks--curved, three-pronged forks ([1Sa 2:13], ).

[¶31] fire-pans--A large sort of vessel, wherein the sacred fire which came down from heaven ([Le 9:24]) 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 [Patrick, Spencer, Le Clerc].

[¶32] 4. a grate of network of brass--sunk latticework to support the fire.

[¶33] four brazen rings--by which the grating might be lifted and taken away as occasion required from the body of the altar.

[¶34] 5. put it under the compass of the altar beneath--that is, the grating in which they were carried to a clean place ([Le 4:12]).

[¶35] 6-7. staves ... rings--Those rings were placed at the side through which the poles were inserted on occasions of removal.

[¶36] 9-19. the court of the tabernacle--The enclosure in which the edifice stood was a rectangular 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 large curtain which overhung the entrance was of a different texture, being embroidered and dyed with variegated colors, 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 also.

[¶37] 20-21. pure oil olive beaten--that is, such as runs from the olives when bruised and without the application of fire.

[¶38] for the light ... Aaron and his sons--were to take charge of lighting it in all time coming.

### Chapter 28

### Ex 28:1-43. Appointment to the Priesthood

[¶41] 1. take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him--Moses had hitherto discharged the priestly functions ([Psa 99:6]), and he evinced the piety as well as humility of his character, in readily complying with the command to invest his brother 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 era.

[¶42] 2-5. 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 ([Eze 44:19]).

[¶43] for glory and for beauty--It was a grand and sumptuous attire. In material, elaborate embroidery, and color, it had an imposing splendor. 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 might be inspired with a due respect for the ministers as well as the rites of 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.

[¶44] 6-14. ephod--It was a very gorgeous robe made of byssus, curiously embroidered, and dyed with variegated colors, and further enriched with golden tissue, the threads of gold being either originally interwoven or afterwards inserted by the embroiderer. 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 the 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 which the names of the twelve tribes were engraved, 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 accomplishment of the divine promises in their favor. The ephod was fastened by a girdle of the same costly materials, that is, dyed, embroidered, and wrought with threads of gold. It was about a handbreadth wide and wound twice round the upper part of the waist; it fastened in front, the ends hanging down at great length ([Re 1:13]).