Exodus 36

Vcr. 1; TlIEN wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, &c. This verse is only a general account of what follows more particularly, concerning the execution of that which God had commanded, and for the effecting of which the people had liberally contributed. It is not said where they wrought, but some think it was in that very space of ground where the tabernacle was set up when perfected.

Exodus 36:2

And Mixes called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom. It appears by this, that all the lower artificers, who were taught by the master-workmen, Bezaleel and Aholiab, were also disposed by God to learn; he giving them a quickness of apprehension and sagacity beyond what was natural to them. Even every one whose heart stirred him up, to come unto the work to do it.] Yet this signifies, they had also a natural genius, which inclined and prompted them to such employments. Vcr. 3. And they received of Moses all the offerings wJuch the children of Israel had brought for the work of the sanctuary, &c] Into the hands of all these aTtists, Moses delivered the offerings that had been made; and directed thcra what to do with them. And they brought yet unto him free-offerings every morning.’] The hearts of the people were so enlarged, that every day they brought new contributions unto Moses; who sent them (as appears by the next verse) to the workmen, as soon as he received them.

Exodus 36:4

And all the wisemen,which wrought all the work of tJie sanctuary, came every man from his work which he made. After they had continued some time at their work, they all agreed to desist awhile, and go to Moses, to let him know that there needed no further offerings, for they had sufficient already; nay,more than enough, as it follows, vcr. 5.

Exodus 36:5

And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more tlian enough for tJie service of the work, &c. A wonderful instance of integrity, that there should not be one man found among them (for the words in the Hebrew are very emphatical, isch, isch [man, mari],thnt is, none excepted) who was inclined to purloin any thing for his own proper use: but by common consent, they left their work, to put a stop to all further contributions. A sign they were men endued with extraordinary virtue, as well as skill in their employments. Vcr. C. And Moses gave commandment.] To those that attended on him; or perhaps to Bezaleel and Aholiab, and the rest. And they caused it to be proclaimed throughout thecamp.] By some under officers, who, it is likely, were wont to execute such commands. Saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.] It seems some men prepared and made ready some of the things which they offered; as the women span yarn and hair, and brought them to Moses. For it was not hard to plane boards (for instance) though the joining them together, as God appointed, was beyond the skill of common people.

Exodus 36:7

For the stuff they had was sufficient, &c. There were materials of all sorts, for every thing that was to be made, beyond what was necessary.

Exodus 36:8

And every wise-hearted man among them that wrought the ivork of the tabernacle, &c. They began first (as was but fit) with the house of God, before thqy made • the furniture. For that was first ordered in general words, (xxv. 8.) though the structure of it be, not directed till the twenty-sixth chapter. Where every thing mentioned in this is explained; and therefore there will need no more to be done here; but to point to a few things which are explained elsewhere, particularly in the foregoing chapter.

Exodus 36:14

He made curtains of goats 7 hair for the tent over the tabernacle. What is here meant by tent, see xxxv. 11. •

Exodus 36:19

He made a covering for the tent. This curtain covered the tent, as the curtain of which the tent was made covered the tabernacle. (See xxvi. 14. xxxv. 11.) Of rams’ skins died red.] The particle mem here is cut off before skins; as it is in several verses of this chapter, (8. 34, 35. and others.) Covering of badger s’-skins.] I observed on xxvi. 14. that thacas doth not signify a badger, but a certain colour, and alleged that place in Ezek. xvi.10. for the proof of it; - where God setting forth his kindness to Israel, under the figure of a most loving husband, who denies his wife no* thing, though never so costly, saith, he shod her with thacas; which I since find translated by an anonymous author, with purple skoes.