Exodus 25

3 gold. The people had probably acquired considerable wealth in gold and silver from the gifts of the Egyptians (xii. 35, 36) and from the spoil of those found “dead upon the seashore” (xiv. 30) at the Red Sea.

brass. Rather, “copper”; as also in xxxi. 4.

4 and blue, etc. That is, some materials dyed with those colours, which were very costly.

5 badgers. Possibly a species of seal or seacoe, which abounded on the shores of the Sinaitic peninsula, and supplied skins for tents and sandals. (“Seal-skins,” R.V., “or, porpoise-skins,” marg.)—shittim. This was probably the acacia vera, still called “shunt” by the Arabs, which produces gum-arabic (“acacia wood,” R.V.).

7 sphod. “apron,” see xxvii. 4, 6.

10 ark. Rather, “chest,” or “box.” It was about four feet long, by about two and a half feet broad and deep.

11 crown. Or, “rim”; and at ver. 24.

16. Testimony. That is, the tables of the Decalogue; which was called the Testimony, because it bore witness to God’s covenant with Israel, and to the nature of His requirements.

17 mercy seat. Heb., “a lid” or “cover,” hence the seat or the throne of mercy, or a propitiation. The “seat” was a rectangular plate of gold. It was the “throne of grace” (Heb. iv. 16), where God’s sovereign mercy was displayed in the bright cloud which rested upon it (ver. 22). The Greek name of the mercy seat, literally “the propitiatory,” is applied to Christ in Rom. iii. 25.

18 cherubim. This is the plural form. The word “cherubims,” as read in most editions of the A.V. is a mistake. This was probably a symbolical representation of the Divine presence, with special reference to the manifestation of mercy. See Psa. lxxx. 1; and on Gen. iii. 24.

19 even of the mercy seat. Rather, “out of the mercy-seat,” so that they formed a component part of it.

22 between the two cherubim. Hence God is frequently spoken of, and addressed in prayer, as dwelling “between the cherubim” (2 Kings xix. 15; Psa. lxxx. 1).

27 over against. That is, on the top of the legs, which came up to the rim of the table.

29 dishes, etc. Probably to put the bread in. The other articles are spoons or cups for the frankincense (Lev. xxiv. 7); and bowls for wine for the drink offerings, as well as to hold the blood of the sacrifices, which was to be sprinkled within the sanctuary.

30 shewbread. Heb., “bread of faces,” or “of presence”; from its being placed in the presence of the Lord; the “continual bread” (Numb. iv. 7). The shewbread was the offering of the Israelites to their Divine King (Lev. xxxiv. 8); the twelve loaves having reference to the number of the tribes.

31 candlestick. Rather, “lamp,” or “candela-brum.” A representation of the lampstand in the second temple is found on the Arch of Titus at Rome. The word rendered “bowl” may designate the cup of a flower. The Jews say that the “knops” resembled pomegranates, and the “flowers” lilies. For the symbolical meaning of the candlestick, see Zech. iv. 2, 3, 12-14; Rev. i. 12, 20; iv. 5; xi. 4.

38 tongs. Or, “snuffers,” or “lamp-scissors.”