Exodus 39

1–31. (ch. 28). The vestments for the priests. V. 1 is introductory. V. 1a begins as though it belonged to Exodus 38:24-31, and was going on to state what was made of the richly woven materials offered by the Israelites (Exodus 25:4, &c.). At the same time it is remarkable (1) that the ‘fine linen’ is not mentioned at all, (2) that no notice is taken of the curtains and hangings (Exodus 26:1 ff., Exodus 26:31; Exodus 26:36, Exodus 27:9 ff.), for which nevertheless by far the greater part of the woven materials must have been used, and (3) that the second clause (‘and they made,’ &c.) is an evident doublet of the first (for ‘holy garments’ is a mere synonym of ‘finely wrought garments’: see on Exodus 31:10). It is possible therefore that v. 1a (to holy place) is a fragment of a complete account of what was made of the woven materials; and that and they made the holy garments, &c., is the real beginning of the account of the making of the priestly vestments.

Exodus 39:1

1. the plaited (?) garments] See on Exodus 31:10. as Jehovah commanded Moses] so seven times in this chapter (here, and vv. 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31); also seven times in ch. 40 (vv. 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32); and Leviticus 8:9; Leviticus 8:13; Leviticus 8:17; Leviticus 8:21; Leviticus 8:29. 2–5 (Exodus 28:6-8). The ephod, with its shoulder-straps.

Exodus 39:3

3. As far as fine linen, an addition, not in Exodus 28:6, explaining how the gold was used; it was beaten into thin plates, and these were then cut into narrow strips, forming wires or threads, which were worked in with the variously coloured yarns (Exodus 35:25). Cf. Wilk.-B. ii. 166 f. beat] cf. Numbers 16:38-39. The verb is the one from which râḳ ?îa‘, ‘firmament,’ lit. something beaten out, is derived. the cunning workman] the designer, or pattern-weaver.

Exodus 39:4

4. They made shoulder-straps for it, joined (to it); at its two (top) edges was it joined (to them)] See on Exodus 28:7.

Exodus 39:5

5. And the artistically woven band (or simply, And the band) of its attachment, that was upon it, was of the same piece, &c.] See on Exodus 28:8.

Exodus 39:6-7

6–7. The two onyx stones on the shoulder-straps, engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel. V. 6 abridged from Exodus 28:9-11; v. 7a = Exodus 28:12 a; Exodus 28:12 b omitted.

Exodus 39:8

8. the cunning workman] the designer, or pattern-weaver.

Exodus 39:9

9. they made the pouch doubled] See on Exodus 28:15-16.

Exodus 39:10-13

10–13. The names of several of the stones are uncertain: see on Exodus 28:17-20.

Exodus 39:14-16

14, 15. Corresponding to Exodus 28:21-22. 16a (to gold) Introduced here from Exodus 28:13. Exodus 39:16 b (from and two gold rings)–21a=Exodus 28:23-28.

Exodus 39:22-26

22–26 (Exodus 28:31-35 a). The robe of the ephod.

Exodus 39:24

24. and twined linen] Sam. LXX. and fine twined linen, the usual expression. Not prescribed in the Heb. text of Exo 28:33, but read there in Sam. LXX. 26b. to minister in] abridged from Exodus 28:35 a, Exodus 28:35 b is omitted, as not needing to be repeated.

Exodus 39:27-29

27–29. The tunics and other priestly vestments. Abridged from Exodus 28:39-40; Exodus 28:42 a.

Exodus 39:28

28. the mitre] the turban (for the high-priest); see on Exodus 28:39. the goodly headtires] the ornamental caps (for ‘caps,’ see on Exodus 28:40); lit. the ornaments of (i.e. consisting in; G.-K. § 128m) caps. Pe’çr, ‘ornament,’ is however itself also specialized in the sense of ornamental cap: see Ezekiel 24:17; Ezekiel 44:18 (‘tires,’—of the priests, as here). The caps were for the ordinary priests. breeches] loin-cloths or drawers; see on Exodus 28:42-43.

Exodus 39:29

29. the girdle] the sash; see on Exodus 28:39. But no doubt the sashes should be read with LXX.: see Exodus 28:40.

Exodus 39:30-31

30, 31 (Exodus 28:36-37). The plate, on the front of the high priest’s turban.

Exodus 39:31

31. upon the turban above] Comp. on Exodus 28:37.

Exodus 39:32

32. Subscription, in P’s manner (cf. Genesis 2:1), to the entire enumeration (Exodus 36:8 to Exodus 39:31). the Dwelling of the tent of meeting] the pleonasm, as Exodus 40:2; Exodus 40:6; Exodus 40:29; cf. v. 40. and, &c.] for the form of sentence (in the Heb.), see on Exodus 7:6.

Exodus 39:33-40

33–40. The things made are all brought to Moses, and (v. 43) approved by him. A complete enumeration is given, substantially in the same order as in Exodus 35:11-19.

Exodus 39:34

34. I.e. the two protective outer coverings, of rams’ skins, and dugong skins (Exodus 26:14). the veil of the screen] in front of the Holy of holies. The expression, as Exodus 35:12, Exodus 40:21.

Exodus 39:35

35. the ark of the testimony] See on Exodus 25:16.

Exodus 39:37

37. the pure candlestick] as Exodus 31:8. to be set in order] i.e. to be arranged on it. See Exodus 27:21.

Exodus 39:38

38. the golden altar] i.e. the altar of incense (see Exodus 30:3). So Exodus 40:5; Exodus 40:26, Numbers 4:11. door] entrance.

Exodus 39:39

39. the bronze altar] as Exodus 38:30.

Exodus 39:40

40. instruments of the service] cf. Exodus 27:19. of the Dwelling of the tent of meeting] cf. v. 32. The Heb. here, as Numbers 9:15; see G.-K., § 128a end, § 129d, f. the cords thereof] see on Exodus 35:18.

Exodus 39:41

41. the plaited (?) garments] as v. 1, Exodus 31:10, Exodus 35:19. (even) the holy garments] the ‘and’ has come in by some error: it is not in the Hebrew at all.

Exodus 39:42

42. As in v. 32 (cf. Exodus 25:8), the Israelites generally, not Bĕ ?ẓ ?al’çl and Oholiab in particular, are mentioned as those who did the work. No doubt the ‘wise hearted’ assistants (Exodus 31:6, Exodus 35:10; Exodus 35:25, Exodus 36:1-2; Exodus 36:4; Exodus 36:8) are thought of.

Exodus 39:43

43. Moses found that all had been done according to Jehovah’s instructions. blessed them] for the energy and promptitude which had been shewn.