Exodus 28 “These are the names” 28
Garments for the Priesthood
1 Tell your brother Aaron to come to you, along with his sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Separate them from the other Israelites to serve me as priests.
Moses had hitherto discharged the priestly functions (Psalms 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.(Jamieson)
2 Make holy clothes for your brother Aaron to give him honor and beauty.
(Ezekiel 44:19)
3 Speak to all the craftsmen to whom I have given the spirit of wisdom, and have them make Aaron's garments to set him apart for me, so that he can serve me as priest.
literally “in the office of cohen” Today, the name Cohen signifies tht the family is from the priestly class.
4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
The Ephod
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 (Revelation 1:13).(Jamieson)
5 They shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen,
6 and they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked.
7 It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together.
8 Its decorated belt is to be of the same workmanship and materials - gold; blue, purple and scarlet yarn; and finely woven linen.
9 Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
10 six of their names on one stone and six names on the other stone, in order of their birth.
As recorded Genesis 30 and Genesis 35:16-18. The stone with the older was hung on the right side of the chest and the stone with the younger on then left, hence Judah was on the right, Joseph on the left.
11 An engraver should engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones as he would engrave a seal. Mount the stones in gold settings,
12 and put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the vest as stones calling to mind the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD(Jesus) on his two shoulders as a memorial.
13 You shall make gold squares ,
14 and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the squares.
The Breastplate
15 Make a chest covering to help in making decisions. The craftsmen should make it as they made the holy vest, using gold and blue, purple and red thread, and fine linen.
16 The chest covering must be square -- nine inches long and nine inches wide -- and folded double to make a pocket.
17 Put four rows of beautiful gems on the chest covering: The first row must have a ruby, topaz, and yellow quartz;
18 the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
19 the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
20 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings.
21 The stones will correspond to the names of the twelve sons of Israel; they are to be engraved with their names as a seal would be engraved, to represent the twelve tribes.
22 On the breastplate, make two pure gold chains twisted like cords.
23 Also for the breastplate, make two gold rings; and put the gold rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
24 Attach the two gold chains to the two rings at the upper corners of the chest covering.
25 attach the other two ends of the twisted chains to the front of the shoulder-pieces of the ritual ephod.
26 Make two gold rings and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, at its edge, on the side facing in toward the vest (ephod).
27 Also make two gold rings and attach them low on the front part of the vest's(ephod) shoulder-pieces, near the join, above the vest's(ephod) decorated belt.
28 They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod(vest), using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod.
29 So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate for judging, over his heart, when he enters the Holy Place, as a memorial before the LORD(Jesus) continually.
30 And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD(Jesus). So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the LORD(Jesus) continually.
Thummim--The words signify "lights" and "perfections"; and nothing more is meant than the precious stones of the breastplate already described (compare Exodus 39:8-21, Leviticus 8:8). They received the name because the bearing of them qualified the high priest to consult the divine oracle on all public or national emergencies, by going into the holy place--standing close before the veil and putting his hand upon the Urim and Thummim, he conveyed a petition from the people and asked counsel of God, who, as the Sovereign of Israel, gave response from the midst of His glory. Little, however, is known about them. But it may be remarked that Egyptian judges wore on the breast of their official robes a representation of Justice, and the high priest in Israel long officiated also as a judge; so that some think the Urim and Thummim had a reference to his judicial functions.(Jamieson)
I have read and believe that the Urim and Thummim were two objects that somehow related God’s will to the priests. Maybe a YES/NO answer, or as some speculate devices that actually spelled out the words of God’s decisions...
31 You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
the robe of the ephod all of blue--It was the middle garment, under the ephod and above the coat. It had a hole through which the head was thrust, and was formed carefully of one piece, such as was the robe of Christ (John 19:23). The high priest's was of a sky-blue color. The binding at the neck was strongly woven, and it terminated below in a fringe, made of blue, purple, and scarlet tassels, in the form of a pomegranate, interspersed with small bells of gold, which tinkled as the wearer was in motion.
32 Make a hole in the center for Aaron's head, with a woven collar around the hole so it will not tear.
33 And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:
a golden bell and a pomegranate--The bells were hung between the pomegranates, which were said to have amounted to seventy-two, and the use of them seems to have been to announce to the people when the high priest entered the most holy place, that they might accompany him with their prayers, and also to remind himself to be attired in his official dress, to minister without which was death.(Jamieson)
34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around.
35 Aaron must wear this robe when he serves as priest. The ringing of the bells will be heard when he enters and leaves the Holy Place before the Lord so that Aaron will not die.
If the people heard the bells stop ringing, they knew God had killed him, and would use the cord attached to him to drag out his body!
36 You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of aseal: HOLINESS TO THE LORD(Jesus).
plate--literally, a petal of a flower, which seems to have been the figure of this golden plate, which was tied with a ribbon of blue on the front of the mitre, so that every one facing him could read the inscription.
37 And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban.
crown-like cap for the head, not covering the entire head, but adhering closely to it, composed of fine linen. The Scripture has not described its form, but from JOSEPHUS we may gather that it was conical in shape, as he distinguishes the mitres of the common priests by saying that they were not conical--that it was encircled with swathes of blue embroidered, and that it was covered by one piece of fine linen to hide the seams.
38 Aaron must wear this on his forehead. In this way, he will be blamed if anything is wrong with the gifts of the Israelites. Aaron must always wear this on his head so the LORD(Jesus) will accept the gifts of the people.
39 Make the woven inner robe of fine linen, and make the turban of fine linen also. Make the cloth belt with designs sewn on it.
a garment fastened at the neck, and reaching far down the person, with the sleeves terminating at the elbow.
40 For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty.
41 So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests.
42 Make for them linen underclothes to cover them from the waist to the upper parts of the legs.
43 Aaron and his sons must wear these underclothes when they enter the Tabernacle and anytime they come near the altar to serve as priests in the Holy Place. If they do not wear these clothes, they will be guilty of wrong, and they will die. This will be a law that will last from now on for Aaron and all his descendants.
Exodus 29 “these are the names” 29
1 Here is what you are to do to consecrate them for ministry to me in the office of cohen. Take one young bull and two rams without defect,
2 also matzah(unleavened bread), matzah cakes mixed with olive oil, and matzah wafers spread with oil - all made from fine wheat flour;
3 You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams.
4 Take Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.
A type of baptism
5 Take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe for the ritual vest, the vest itself, and the breastplate. Fasten the vest on him with its belt.
6 You must then put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.
7 And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.
Oilive oil
8 Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them
9 and wrap sashes around them, Aaron and his sons; and put the headgear on their heads. The office of cohen is to be theirs by a permanent regulation. Thus you will consecrate Aaron and his sons.
It signified the necessity and importance of moral purity or holiness (Isaiah 52:11, John 13:10, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Peter 3:21). In like manner, the investiture with the holy garments signified their being clothed with righteousness (Revelation 19:8) and equipped as men active and well-prepared for the service of God; the anointing the high priest with oil denoted that he was to be filled with the influences of the Spirit, for the edification and delight of the church (Leviticus 10:7, Psalms 45:7, Isaiah 61:1, 1 John 2:27), and as he was officially a type of Christ (Hebrews 7:26, John 3:34; also Matthew 3:16, 11:29). officially a type of Christ (Hebrews 7:26, John 3:34; also Matthew 3:16, 11:29).
10 Then bring the young bull to the entrance of the Tabernacle, and Aaron and his sons will lay their hands on its head.
11 Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD(Jesus), by the entrance of the tabernacle of meeting.
12 You shall take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour all the blood beside the base of the altar.
13 Take all the fat that covers the internal organs, also the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat, and burn them on the altar.
14 But the bull's flesh, skin and manure, you are to destroy by fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering.
15 You shall also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons must put their hands on the head of the ram;
16 and you shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar.
17 Cut up the ram and wash off the internal organs and the legs. Set them alongside the head and the other pieces of the body,
18 and burn them all on the altar. This is a burnt offering to the LORD(Jesus), which is very pleasing to Him.
19 Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram.
20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.
21 Then take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments, on his sons and on the garments of his sons with him; and he and his garments shall be made holy, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him.
22 Also take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner organs, the two kidneys, the fat covering them and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration (holiness) )
23 along with one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread and one wafer from the basket of matzah which is before the LORD(Jesus);
24 and then you shall put all this in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and they shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD(Jesus).
25 Then take them back; and burn them up in smoke on the altar, on top of the burnt offering, to be a pleasing aroma before the LORD(Jesus); it is an offering made to the LORD(Jesus) by fire.
26 Then take the breast of Aaron's ram, and lift it up in the LORD's(Yahweh) presence as a special gift to him. Afterward keep it for yourself.
27 Set aside as holy the parts of the ram that belong to Aaron and his sons. This includes the breast and the thigh that were lifted up.
28 this will belong to Aaron and his sons as their share perpetually due from the people of Israel - it will be a offering from the people of Israel from their peace offerings, their contribution to the LORD(Jesus).
29 The holy garments of Aaron will be used by his sons after him; they will be anointed and consecrated in them.
30 That son who becomes priest in his place shall put them on for seven days, when he enters the Tabernacle to minister in the holy place.
31 And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place.
32 Then Aaron and his sons will eat the ram's meat and the bread in the basket at the entrance to the Tabernacle.
33 They are to eat the things with which atonement was made for them, to inaugurate and consecrate them; no one else may eat this food, because it is holy.
34 If any of the meat for the consecration or any of the bread remains until morning, burn up what remains; it is not to be eaten, because it is holy.
35 Carry out all these orders I have given you concerning Aaron and his sons. They are to spend seven days consecrating them.
These ceremonies, performed in the order described, showed the qualifications necessary for the priests. (See Hebrews 7:26,27, 10:14). ALSO: seven days shalt thou consecrate them--The renewal of these ceremonies on the return of every day in the seven, with the intervention of a Sabbath, was a wise preparatory arrangement, in order to afford a sufficient interval for calm and devout reflection (Hebrews 9:1, 10:1).
36 And they shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement. You will cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to make it holy.
and thou shalt cleanse the altar--The phrase, "when thou hast made an atonement for it," should be, upon it; and the purport of the direction is, that during all the time they were engaged as above from day to day in offering the appointed sacrifices, the greatest care was to be taken to keep the altar properly cleansed--to remove the ashes, and sprinkle it with the prescribed unction that, at the conclusion of the whole ceremonial, the altar itself should be consecrated as much as the ministers who were to officiate at it (Matthew 23:19). It was thenceforth associated with the services of religion. (Jamieson)
37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and make it holy. The altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy.
38 Now this is what you are to offer on the altar: two lambs a year old, regularly, every day.
39 One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight(dusk).
40 With the one lamb offer two quarts of finely ground flour mixed with one quart of oil from pressed olives; along with one quart of wine as a drink offering.
41 The other lamb you are to offer at dusk(twilight); do with it as with the morning grain and drink offerings - it will be a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD(Jesus) by fire.
42 This shall be an everlasting burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the Tabernacle of meeting before the LORD(Jesus), where I will meet you to speak with you.
43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the Tabernacle shall be made holy by My glory.
44 So I will consecrate(to make holy) the Tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests.
45 I will live among the children of Israel and will be their God(Elohim/Theos).
46 and they will know that I am the LORD(Jesus) their God(Elohim/Theos). I am the one who brought them out of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the LORD(Jesus) their God(Elohim/Theos).
See comment on Priest and their wardrobes at end of Exodus...
Exodus 30 “these are the names” 30
1 You are to make an altar on which to burn incense; make it out of acacia-wood.
Its material was to be like that of the ark of the testimony, but its dimensions very small [Exodus 25:10].
2 It is to be eighteen inches square and three feet high; its horns are to be of one piece with it.
3 Cover its top, its sides, and its corners with pure gold, and put a gold strip all around the altar.
4 Make two gold rings beneath the gold strip on opposite sides of the altar, and slide poles through them to carry the altar.
5 Make the poles of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold.
6 Put the altar of incense in front of the curtain(veil) that is near the Ark of the Agreement, in front of the lid that covers that Ark. There I will meet with you.
thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony--which separated the holy from the most holy place. The altar was in the middle between the table of showbread and the candlestick next the holy of holies, at equal distances from the north and south walls; in other words, it occupied a spot on the outside of the great partition veil, but directly in front of the mercy seat, which was within that sacred enclosure; so that although the priest who ministered at this altar could not behold the mercy seat, he was to look towards it, and present his incense in that direction. This was a special arrangement, and it was designed to teach the important lesson that, though we cannot with the eye of sense, see the throne of grace, we must "direct our prayer to it and look up" [Psalms 5:3] (compare 2 Corinthians 3:14, Hebrews 10:20, Revelation 4:1). (Jamieson)
7 Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on the altar every morning when he comes to take care of the lamps.
8 Aaron is also to burn it when he lights the lamps at dusk; this is the regular burning of incense before LORD(Jesus) every day from now on.
Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense--literally, "incense of spices"--Strong aromatic substances were burnt upon this altar to counteract by their odoriferous fragrance the offensive fumes of the sacrifices; or the incense was employed in an offering of tributary homage which the Orientals used to make as a mark of honor to kings; and as God was Theocratic Ruler of Israel, His palace was not to be wanting in a usage of such significancy. Both these ends were served by this altar--that of fumigating the apartments of the sacred edifice, while the pure lambent flame, according to Oriental notions, was an honorary tribute to the majesty of Israel's King. But there was a far higher meaning in it still; for as the tabernacle was not only a palace for Israel's King, but a place of worship for Israel's God, this altar was immediately connected with a religious purpose. In the style of the sacred writers, incense was a symbol or emblem of prayer (Psalms 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3). From the uniform combination of the two services, it is evident that the incense was an emblem of the prayers of sincere worshippers ascending to heaven in the cloud of perfume; and, accordingly, the priest who officiated at this altar typified the intercessory office of Christ (Luke 1:10, Hebrews 7:25).
every morning . . . at even--In every period of the national history this daily worship was scrupulously observed. (Jamieson)
see also: Luke 1:9
9 Do not use this altar for offering any other incense, or burnt offering, or any kind of grain offering, or drink offering.
10 Aaron is to make atonement on its horns once a year - with the blood of the sin offering of atonement he is to make atonement for it once a year through all your generations; it is especially holy to LORD(Jesus).
This is the Day of Atonement
11 The LORD(Jesus) said to Moses:
12 When you take a census of the people of Israel and register them, each, upon registration, is to pay a ransom for his life to LORD(Jesus), to avoid any breakout of plague among them during the time of the census.
It was required from all classes alike, and a refusal to pay implied a wilful exclusion from the privileges of the sanctuary, as well as exposure to divine judgments. It was probably the same impost that was exacted from our Lord (Matthew 17:24-27), and it was usually devoted to repairs and other purposes connected with the services of the sanctuary.
13 Every person who is counted must pay one-fifth of an ounce of silver. (This is set by using one-half of the Holy Place measure, which weighs two-fifths of an ounce.) This amount is a gift to the LORD(Jesus)
14 Everyone over twenty years of age who is subject to the census is to give this offering to LORD(Jesus)
15 A rich person must not give more than one-fifth of an ounce, and a poor person must not give less. You are paying this to the LORD(Jesus) to buy back your lives.
16 You are to take the atonement money from the people of Israel and use it for the service in the tent of meeting, so that it will be a reminder of the people of Israel before LORD(Jesus) to atone for your lives.
17 LORD(Jesus) said to Moses:
18 You are to make a basin of bronze, with a base of bronze, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.
Thou shalt . . . make a basin or bowl (laver) of brass--Though not actually forming a component part of the furniture of the tabernacle, this vase was closely connected with it; and though from standing at the entrance it would be a familiar object, it possessed great interest and importance from the baptismal purposes to which it was applied. No data are given by which its form and size can be ascertained; but it was probably a miniature pattern of Solomon's--a circular basin. (Jamieson)
19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there
20 when they enter the tent of meeting - they are to wash with water, so that they won't die. Also when they approach the altar to minister by burning an offering for LORD(Jesus),
21 they are to wash their hands and feet, so that they won't die. This is to be a perpetual law for them through all their generations.
Today, all Christians are priests! This is why the apostle exhorts them how to draw near to God (John 13:10, Hebrews 10:22).
22 LORD(Jesus) said to Moses:
23 Take the finest spices: twelve pounds of liquid myrrh, half that amount (that is, six pounds) of sweet-smelling cinnamon, six pounds of sweet-smelling calamus
24 and twelve pounds of cassia (use the sanctuary standard), Also take four quarts of olive oil,
25 and make them into a holy anointing oil; blend it and perfume it as would an expert perfume-maker; it will be a holy anointing oil.
26 Use it to anoint the tabernacle, the ark for the testimony,
27 the table and all its utensils, the menorah and all its utensils, the incense altar,
28 the altar for burnt offerings and all its utensils, and the basin with its base.
29 You are to consecrate them - they will be especially holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.
30 Then you are to anoint Aaron and his sons - you are to consecrate them to serve me in the office of priest.
31 Tell the people of Israel, 'This is to be a holy anointing oil for me forever.
32 It is not to be used for anointing a person's body; and you are not to make any like it, with the same composition of ingredients - it is holy, and you are to treat it as holy.
33 Whoever makes any like it or uses it on any unauthorized person is to be cut off from his people.'
34 The Lord: said to Moses: Gather sweet spices – resin droplets, mollusk scent, galbanum, and pure frankincense. Be sure that you have equal amounts of each.
35 and make incense, blended and perfumed as would an expert perfume-maker, salted, pure and holy.
36 You are to grind up some of it very finely and put it in front of the testimony in the Tabernacle where I will meet with you; you are to regard it as especially holy.
37 Never make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD(Jesus) and you must treat it as holy.
38 Whoever makes up any like it to use as perfume is to be cut off from his people.
Spices:
Take thou also . . . principal spices, &c.--Oil is frequently mentioned in Scripture as an emblem of sanctification, and anointing with it a means of designating objects as well as persons to the service of God. Here it is prescribed by divine authority, and the various ingredients in their several proportions described which were to compose the oil used in consecrating the furniture of the tabernacle.
myrrh--a fragrant and medicinal gum from a little known tree in Arabia.
sweet cinnamon--produced from a species of laurel or sweet bay, found chiefly in Ceylon, growing to a height of twenty feet: this spice is extracted from the inner bark, but it is not certain whether that mentioned by Moses is the same as that with which we are familiar.
sweet calamus--or sweet cane, a product of Arabia and India, of a tawny color in appearance; it is like the common cane and strongly odoriferous.
cassia--from the same species of tree as the cinnamon--some think the outer bark of that tree. All these together would amount to one hundred twenty pounds, troy weight.
hin--a word of Egyptian origin, equal to ten pints. Being mixed with the olive oil--no doubt of the purest kind--this composition probably remained always in a liquid state, and the strictest prohibition issued against using it for any other purpose than anointing the tabernacle and its furniture.
onycha--supposed to be an odoriferous shell;
galbanum--a gum resin from an umbelliferous plant.
frankincense--a dry, resinous, aromatic gum, of a yellow color, which comes from a tree in Arabia, and is obtained by incision of the bark. This incense was placed within the sanctuary, to be at hand when the priest required to burn on the altar. The art of compounding unguents and perfumes was well known in Egypt, where sweet-scented spices were extensively used not only in common life, but in the ritual of the temples. Most of the ingredients here mentioned have been found on minute examination of mummies and other Egyptian relics; and the Israelites, therefore, would have the best opportunities of acquiring in that country the skill in pounding and mixing them which they were called to exercise in the service of the tabernacle. But the recipe for the incense as well as for the oil in the tabernacle, though it receives illustration from the customs of Egypt, was peculiar, and being prescribed by divine authority, was to be applied to no common or inferior purpose.
Exodus 31 “These are the names” 31
The Sign of The Sabbath Day
1 The LORD(Jesus) said to Moses:
2 Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
Matthew 18:1
by name Bezalel--signifying "in the shadow or protection of God"; and, as called to discharge a duty of great magnitude--to execute a confidential trust in the ancient Church of God, he has his family and lineage recorded with marked distinction. He belonged to the tribe of Judah, which, doubtless for wise and weighty reasons, God all along delighted to honor; and he was the grandson of Hur, a pious patriot (Exodus 17:12), who was associated, by a special commission, with Aaron in the government of the people during the absence of Moses. Moreover, it may be noticed that a Jewish tradition affirms Hur to be the husband of Miriam; and if this tradition may be relied on, it affords an additional reason for the appointment of Bezaleel emanating from the direct authority of God. (Jamieson)
3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God(Elohim/Theos) - with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning all kinds of crafts.
4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze,
5 cutting precious stones to be set, woodcarving and every other craft.
6 And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make:
7 the Tabernacle, the ark for the covenant, the ark-cover(mercy seat) above it, all the furnishings of the Tabernacle,
8 the table and its utensils, the pure menorah and all its utensils, the incense altar,
9 the altar for burnt offerings and all its utensils, the basin and its base,
10 the beautifully stitched, holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;
11 the anointing oil and the incense of aromatic spices for the Holy Place: they are to make everything just as I have ordered you."
12 The LORD(Jesus) said to Moses:
13 Tell the people of Israel, 'You are to observe my Sabbaths; for this is a sign between me and you through all your generations; so that you will know that I am LORD(Jesus), who sets you apart for me.
A SIGN or MARK.The Sabbath is the SIGN COMMANDMENT!! A sign is a message that all can read to understand something. Here, the sign of the Sabbath is that God has set those who observe it, apart from the rest of the world. Israel (The USA and the Lost 10 Tribes, lost the sabbath and so they lost their idenity with God. Judah kept the Sabbath, and although they haven't believed in Christ, God has kept them known to the world as HIS special people. Compare to Ezekiel 9:4 and Rev 13;16, 19:20 and 20:4.
14 Therefore you are to keep my Sabbath, because it is set apart for you. Everyone who treats it as ordinary must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it is to be cut off from his people.
15 On six days work will get done; but the seventh day is Sabbath, for complete rest, set apart for LORD(Jesus). Whoever does any work on the day of Sabbath must be put to death.
16 The people of Israel are to keep the Sabbath, to observe Sabbath through all their generations as an everlasting covenant.
my sabbaths ye shall keep (KJV)--The reason for the fresh inculcation of the fourth commandment at this particular period was, that the great ardor and eagerness, with which all classes betook themselves to the construction of the tabernacle, exposed them to the temptation of encroaching on the sanctity of the appointed day of rest. They might suppose that the erection of the tabernacle was a sacred work, and that it would be a high merit, an acceptable tribute, to prosecute the undertaking without the interruption of a day's repose; and therefore the caution here given, at the commencement of the undertaking, was a seasonable admonition. (Jamieson)
AN EVERLASTING COVENANT! The Sabbath is FOREVER!
17 It is a sign between me and the people of Israel forever; for in six days LORD(Jesus) made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and rested.'
It is a sign forever! God's people follow the Sabbath!
18 When he had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, LORD(Jesus) gave him the two tablets of the covenant, tablets of stone written by the finger of God(Elohim/Theos).
written with the finger of God--containing the ten commandments (Exodus 24:12), called "tables of testimony," because God testified His will in them. GOD HERE IS JESUS! The 10 Commandments were written by the finger of our LORD and Savior!
Exodus 32 “These are the names” 32
The people sin: The Golden Calf1 When the people saw that Moses was taking a long time to come down from the mountain, they gathered against Aaron and said to him, “Get busy; and make us gods(Elohim) to go ahead of us; because this Moses, the man that brought us up from the land of Egypt – we don’t know what has happened to him.”
gods(Elohim). The same word for God is plural here, because it is a uni plural word. El is singular. I have had difficulty in this translation because whenever Elohim is used, one may translate it “gods.” So it is possible that Gen 1 should read: “In the beginning the gods (meaning the FATHER and the WORD) created the heavens and the earth..”
2 Aaron said to them, “Have your wives, sons and daughters strip off their gold earrings; and bring them to me.”This is funny here. God is acting like the average Father here. When the people are doing good, he calls them “HIS PEOPLE,” but when they are doing wrong he calls them “Your (Moses') people.” Much like we hear in our own families when a father says to his wife, “Your son has taken the car again.” He both of their's, but to show disgust, we often subsitute “your” for “mine or our.”
Moses is offered by God that his children could become the ones who get the two blessings. God is very angry, and Moses realizes that it is wrong! He does something here that will endear him to God forever! He offers up his own life! Like Christ, he is willing to give up his ETERNAL life for his people. This is the true love that God wants us to know.
11 Moses pleaded with the LORD(Jesus) his God(Elohim/Theos). He said, “The LORD(Jesus), why must your anger blaze against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?
Notice the play on words here. God calls the people “Moses', and now Moses calls them God's! The humor here can not be overlooked.
12 The Egyptians will say, 'God tricked them into coming to the mountains so he could kill them and wipe them from the face of the earth.' Repent from your fierce anger. Change your mind about this terrible disaster you are planning against your people!
Moses is telling God to repent, or to turn around
The Lord repented! We can get God to change His mind! To turn away from wrath, or His plans! This is a very moving and inspiring story in the Bible on how being God's friend, we can become almost equal to Him and ask Him to repent, or change what he decides will be.
Different Bible's translate this verse differently. The NASB says, "the Lord changed His mind." The NIV and NKJV say "The Lord relented."
The KJV, RSV, and the 1901 ASV say, "The Lord repented."
The Hebrew word at issue here is for relent/repent is נָחַם (nacham).
There are 108 occurrences in the Old Testament.
The KJV translates it as “comfort” 57 times, “repent” 41 times,
“comforter” nine times, and “ease” once.
Joshua is the English form of the Hebrew Y'oshua. Jesus is the Greek name for the same. It is important to know that the man to follow Moses was named Jesus! The is symbolic. Moses did not lead the people into the promised land, Joshua/Jesus did. Just like Moses and the Bible can't bring us eternal life, only JESUS can!
21 Moses said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you to make you lead them into such a terrible sin?”
Master or lord from the Hebrew “adown.”
24 And I said to them, 'Take off your gold jewelry.' When they gave me the gold, I threw it into the fire and out came this calf!"
He is trying to imply that he didn't do it, it happened by itself.
Christ actually died for His people (Romans 5:8), but here Moses is showing the highest form of love. To be blotted out of the book, means to be removed from the book of life! Moses understands that those who are resurrected will have immortality and he is willing to give up eternal life to pay for the sins of the people! This obviously moved God! God himself, wouldn't take this offer, because He was going to do this Himself.
34 Now go and lead the people to the place I told you about; my angel will go ahead of you. Nevertheless, the time for punishment will come; and then I will punish them for their sin.”
35 LORD(Jesus) struck the people with a plague because they had made the calf, the one Aaron made.
God says to Moses, that the Israelites had corrupted themselves. Sin is the corruption of the sinner, and it is a self-corruption; every man is tempted when he is drawn aside of his own lust. They had turned aside out of the way. Sin is a departing from the way of duty into a by-path. They soon forgot God's works. He sees what they cannot discover, nor is any wickedness of the world hid from him. We could not bear to see the thousandth part of that evil which God sees every day. God expresses the greatness of his just displeasure, after the manner of men who would have prayer of Moses could save them from ruin; thus he was a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone, God would reconcile the world to himself. Moses pleads God's glory. The glorifying God's name, as it ought to be our first petition, and it is so in the Lord's prayer, so it ought to be our great plea. And God's promises are to be our pleas in prayer; for what he has promised he is able to perform. See the power of prayer. In answer to the prayers of Moses, God showed his purpose of sparing the people, as he had before seemed determined on their destruction; which change of the outward discovery of his purpose, is called repenting of the evil.
(Matthew Henry)
Exodus 33 “These are the names” 33
1 Then the LORD(Jesus) had said to Moses earlier: Depart and leave here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’
the Lord said--rather "had" said unto Moses. The conference detailed in this chapter must be considered as having occurred prior to the pathetic intercession of Moses
2 And I will send My Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite and the Amorite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
This Angel is not the LORD, see below
3 Go up to a fertile land. But I will not go with you, because I might destroy you on the way, since you are such a stubborn people.
4 And when the people heard this bad news, they mourned, and no one put on jewelry.
5 For the LORD(Jesus) had said to Moses: Say to the children of Israel, ‘You are a stubborn people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I would destroy you. So take off all your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.'
6 So the children of Israel stripped themselves of their jewelry by Mount Horeb.
Moses Meets the LORD
7 Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tent of meeting. Everyone who wanted to consult with the LORD(Jesus) went out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp.
8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent, all the people would rise and stand at the entrances of their tents, watching him until he entered the Meeting Tent.
9 When Moses went into the Tent, the pillar of cloud would always come down and stay at the entrance of the Tent while the Lord spoke with Moses.
10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud at the entrance of the Tent, they stood and worshiped, each person at the entrance of his own tent.
God speaks to Moses as a friend
11 So the LORD(Jesus) spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but Moses' young helper, Joshua(Jesus) the son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.
We see here God's special friendship with Moses, one like he had with Abraham earlier.
12 Then Moses said to the LORD(Jesus), “See, You have told me to lead these people, but you did not say whom you would send with me. You have said to me, 'I know you very well, and I am pleased with you.'
13 If I have truly pleased you, show me your plans so that I may know you and continue to please you. Remember that this nation is your people."
14 And HE answered: I will personally go with you, and I will give you rest.
15 Moses replied, “If you don't go with us personally, do not send us away from this place.
16 For how else is it to be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, other than by your going with us? That is what distinguishes us, me and your people, from all the other peoples on earth."
17 So the LORD(Jesus) said to Moses: I will also do what you have asked me to do, because you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.
“know you by name”: Or I know you well, like a friend
18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
Moses asks to see The Lord.
19 Then He said: I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will announce my name, the LORD(Jesus), so you can hear it. I will show kindness to anyone to whom I want to , and I will show mercy to anyone to whom I want to show mercy.
20 But He said: You cannot see My face; for no man can see Me, and live.
21 And the LORD(Jesus) also said: There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 So it shall be, when my glory passes that place, I will put you in a large crack in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face must not be seen.
It appears that in His Glory, God did not think Moses could see His face and survive. John did see His face in Revelation 1, but that was in a vision. Ezekiel also saw what appeared to be a man in firey glory, but again that seemed to be a vision. Moses was seeing the real God in all of God's glory and hence we must conclude here that Moses would die if he saw Him.
Exodus 34 “These are the names” 34
Moses Makes New Tablets
1 And the LORD(Jesus) said to Moses: Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke.
2 So be ready by morning; in the morning you are to ascend Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.
3 No one is to come up with you, and no one is to be seen anywhere on the mountain; don't even let the flocks or herds feed in front of this mountain.
4 So he cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
5 Now the LORD(Jesus) descended in the cloud, stood with him there and pronounced the name of the LORD(Jesus).
6 And the LORD(Jesus) passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD(Jesus), the LORD(Jesus) God(El/Theo), merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
Yahweh,Yahweh,El rachuwm The Lord, The Lord, God merciful. El is used her meaning a singular God.
7 showing grace to the thousandth generation, forgiving offenses, crimes and sins; yet not exonerating the guilty, but causing the negative effects of the parents' offenses to be experienced by their children and grandchildren, and even by the third and fourth generations.
8 Then Moses quickly bowed to the ground and worshiped.
9 Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O LORD(Jesus), let my LORD(Jesus), I pray, go among us, even though we are a stubborn people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin and take us as your own people."
The Covenant Renewed
10 He said: Here, I am making a covenant; in front of all your people I will do wonders such as have not been created anywhere on earth or in any nation. All the people around you will see the work of the LORD(Jesus). For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
11 Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.
12 Be careful not to make a covenant with the people living in the land where you are going, so that they won't become a snare within your own borders.
13 Destroy their altars, break their stone pillars, and cut down their wooden images
14 (for you shall worship no other God(Elohim/Theos), for the LORD(Jesus), whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God(Elohim/Theos)),
15 Do not make a covenant with the people living in the land. It will cause you to go astray after their gods and sacrifice to their gods. Then they will invite you to join them in eating their sacrifices,
16 and you will take their daughters as wives for your sons. Their daughters will prostitute themselves to their own gods and make your sons do the same!
17 You shall make no metal gods for yourselves.
The Feasts of the LORD
18 Keep the festival of matzah(Unleavened Bread) by eating matzah, as I ordered you, for seven days during the month of Abib; for it was in the month of Abib that you came out from Egypt.
ABIB means ripening of grain
19 The firstborn of every mother belongs to me, including every firstborn male animal that is born in your flocks and herds.
20 The firstborn of a donkey you must redeem with a lamb; if you won't redeem it, break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you are to redeem, and no one is to appear before me empty-handed.
21 Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.
22 Celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) when you gather the first grain of the wheat harvest. And celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall.
23 Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the LORD(Jesus), the LORD(Jesus) God(Elohim/Theos) of Israel.
24 For I am going to expel nations ahead of you and expand your territory, and no one will even covet your land when you go up to appear before before the LORD(Jesus) your God(Elohim/Theos) three times in the year.
25 Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me with anything containing yeast, and do not leave any of the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover until the next morning.
26 Bring the best first crops that you harvest from your ground to the Tent of the LORD(Jesus) your God(Elohim/Theos). You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
Jews take this today in their Kosher laws to forbid meat and milk being served together. That is not wheat is said here and we saw in Genesis that Abraham offered God cottage cheese and meat! It is obvious that the implication here is that one should not be so evil as to take a mother's child and kill it in her own milk! Life is scared and the way we kill is also sacred. We must always show respect to the dead!
27 Then the LORD(Jesus) said to Moses: Write these words down, because they are the terms of the covenant I have made with you and with Israel.
28 So he was there with the LORD(Jesus) forty days and forty nights, during which time he neither ate food nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, The Ten Words (Commandments)
And the LORD(Jesus) said unto Moses, Write thou these words--that is, the ceremonial and judicial injunctions comprehended above (Exodus 34:11-26); while the rewriting of the ten commandments on the newly prepared slabs was done by God(Elohim/Theos)Himself (compare Deuteronomy 10:1-4).
29 Then Moses came down from Mount Sinai, carrying the two stone tablets of the Covenant in his hands. But he did not know that his face was shining because he had talked with the LORD(Jesus).
30 When Aaron and all the people of Israel saw that Moses' face was shining, they were afraid to go near him.
31 But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the people returned to Moses, and he talked with them.
32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them the [Ten] Commandments that the LORD(Jesus) had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.
33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.
34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD(Jesus) to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Israel what he had been ordered.
35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.
The Israelites are commanded to destroy every monument of idolatry, however curious or costly; to refuse all alliance, friendship, or marriage with idolaters, and all idolatrous feasts; and they were reminded not with idolaters, and all idolatrous feats; and they were reminded not to repeat the crime of making molten images. Jealously is called the rage of a man, Pr 6:34; but in God it is holy and just displeasure. Those cannot worship God aright, who do not worship him only.
(Matthew Henry)
Exodus 35 “these are the names” 35
Sabbath Laws:
1 Then Moses assembled the whole community of the people of Israel together, and said to them, “These are the things which the LORD(Jesus) has commanded you do:
According to tradition this meeting took place the day after Atonement.
2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the LORD(Jesus). Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.
3 Do not light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath day.”
This again shows that the actual Sabbath begins in the morning and actually ends at sundown the same day. This does not mean one is to work on Saturday night, but prohibitions against starting a fire no longer apply. People will not freeze to death during the day, but would at night.
4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD(Jesus) has commanded:
5 ‘Take up a collection for the LORD(Jesus). from among yourselves -anyone whose heart makes him willing is to bring the offering for the LORD(Jesus): gold, silver, and bronze;
6 blue, purple, and scarlet, fine linen, and goats’ hair;
7 ram skins dyed red, fine leather, and acacia wood;
8 oil for the lamps, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense;
9 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
10 ‘Then let all the craftsmen among you come and make everything the LORD(Jesus) has commanded:
11 the tabernacle, its tent, its covering, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets;
12 the ark and its poles, with the mercy seat(cover), and the veil of the covering;
13 the table and its poles, all its utensils, and the showbread;
14 also the lampstand for the light, its utensils, its lamps, and the oil for the light;
15 the incense altar, its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, and the screen for the door at the entrance of the tabernacle;
16 the altar for burnt offerings, with its poles and all its utensils; the basin with its base;
17 the tapestries for the courtyard, with their posts and sockets; the screen for the gateway of the courtyard;
18 the tent pegs for the tabernacle; the tent pegs for the courtyard, with their ropes;
the garments for officiating, for serving in the Holy Place; and the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests.’”
20 And all the church of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
20 And all the church of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 and they came, everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit made him willing, and brought the LORD(Jesus)’s offering for the work on the tent of meeting, for the service in it and for the holy garments.
compare 2 Corinthians 7:11
22 Both men and women came, as many as had willing hearts; they brought nose-rings, earrings, signet-rings, belts, all kinds of gold jewelry - everyone bringing an offering of gold to the LORD(Jesus).
they came, both men and women, &c.--literally, "the men over and above the women"; a phraseology which implies that the women acted a prominent part, presented their offerings first, and then were followed by as many of their male companions as were similarly disposed. (Jamieson)There was in that early age no money in the form of coins or bullion. What money passed current with the merchant consisted of rings which were weighed, and principally of ornaments for personal decoration. Astonishment at the abundance of their ornaments is at an end when we learn that costly and elegant ornaments abounded in proportion as clothing was simple and scarce among the Egyptians, and some, entirely divested of clothing, yet wore rich necklaces [HENGSTENBERG].
23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn; fine linen; tanned ram skins or fine leather brought them.
24 Everyone contributing silver or bronze brought his offering for the LORD(Jesus)’s offering. and everyone who had acacia-wood suitable for any of the work brought it.
25 All the women who were skilled at spinning got to work and brought what they had spun, the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and the fine linen.
26 Likewise the women whose heart stirred them to use their skill spun the goat's hair.
27 The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate,
28 and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29 The children of Israel who wanted to help brought gifts to the LORD(Jesus) for all the work the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses and the people to do.
30 And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the LORD(Jesus) has chosen Bezalel son of Uri the son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah.
31 and He has filled him with the Spirit of God(Elohim/Theos), in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and knowledge to do all kinds of work.
32 to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze,
33 to cut stones and jewels and put them in metal, to carve wood, and to do all kinds of work.
34 Also, the LORD(Jesus) has given Bezalel and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach from the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.
35 He has given them the skill to do all kinds of work. They are able to cut designs in metal and stone. They can plan and sew designs in the fine linen with the blue, purple, and red thread. And they are also able to weave things.
Exodus 36 “these are the names” 36
BUILDING THE TABRNACLE:
1 “So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded."
2 Then Moses called for Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD(Jesus) had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
3 And they received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of making the sanctuary. So they continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning,
All whose hearts were touched by piety, penitence, or gratitude, repaired with eager haste into the presence of Moses, not as heretofore, to have their controversies settled, but to lay on his tribunal their contributions to the sanctuary of God (2 Corinthians 9:7).
4 until all the craftsmen doing the work for the sanctuary left the work they were involved with ,
5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, “The people are bringing far more than is needed to do the work the LORD(Jesus) commanded us to do.”
6 So Moses gave the order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more,
7 for what they had already was not only sufficient for doing all the work, but too much!
8 All the skilled men among them who worked on the tabernacle made ten curtains woven of fine linen, and of blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim they made them.
9 The length of each curtain was forty-two feet long and six feet wide; all the curtains were the same size.
10 He joined five curtains one to another, and the other five curtains he joined one to another.
11 Then they made loops of blue cloth along the edge of the end curtain on the first set of five, and they did the same thing with the other set of five.
12 There were fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the other curtain, with the loops opposite each other.
13 They made fifty gold hooks to join the two curtains together so that the Holy Tent was joined together as one piece.
14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for the tent over the tabernacle; he made eleven curtains.
15 The length of each curtain - forty-five feet long and six feet wide, all were the same size
16 He coupled five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves.
17 They made fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of one set and fifty loops along the edge of the outside curtain of the other set.
18 Then they made fifty bronze rings to join the two sets of cloth together and make the tent one piece.
19 They made two more coverings for the outer tent -- one made of male sheepskins colored red and the other made of fine leather.
20 Then they made upright boards of acacia wood for the Holy Tent.
21 Each board was fifteen feet tall and twenty-seven inches wide,
22 and there were two pegs side by side on each one. Every board of the Holy Tent was made this same way.
23 They made twenty boards for the south side of the Tent,
24 and they made forty silver bases that went under the twenty boards. There were two bases for every board -- one for each peg of each board.
25 They also made twenty boards for the north side of the Holy Tent
26 and forty silver bases -- two to go under each board.
27 They made six boards for the rear or west end of the Holy Tent
28 and two boards for the corners at the rear of the Holy Tent.
29 These two boards were doubled at the bottom and joined at the top with a metal ring. They did this for each of these corners.
30 So there were eight boards and sixteen silver bases -- two bases under each board.
31 Then they made crossbars of acacia wood to connect the upright boards of the Holy Tent. Five crossbars held the boards together on one side of the Tent,
32 and five held the boards together on the other side. Also, five crossbars held the boards together on the west end, at the rear of the Tent.
33 They made the middle crossbar run along the entire length of each side and rear of the Tent. It was set halfway up the boards.
34 They made gold rings on the sides of the boards to hold the crossbars, and they covered the boards and the crossbars with gold.
35 And he made a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen; it was worked with an artistic design of cherubim.
36 He made for it four pillars of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, with their hooks of gold; and he cast four sockets of silver for them.
37 He also made a screen for the tabernacle door, of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver,
38 and its five pillars with their hooks. And he overlaid their capitals and their rings with gold, but their five sockets were bronze.
Curtains of elaborately wrought needlework are often suspended over the entrance to tents of the great nomad sheiks, and throughout Persia, at the entrance of summer tents, mosques, and palaces. They are preferred as cooler and more elegant than wooden doors. This chapter contains an instructive narrative: it is the first instance of donations made for the worship of God, given from the wages of the people's sufferings and toils. They were acceptable to God (Philippians 4:18), and if the Israelites showed such liberality, how much more should those whose privilege it is to live under the Christian dispensation (1 Corinthians 6:20, 16:2). (Jamieson)
Exodus 37 “these are the names” 37
Making the Ark of the Covenant
1 Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood; it was forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it.
3 He made four gold rings for it and attached them to its four feet, with two rings on each side.
4 He made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
5 And he put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
6 He also made the mercy seat (the lid) of pure gold that was forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.
7 He made two cherubim of hammered gold. He made them of one piece at the two ends of the mercy seat (the lid):
8 one cherub at one end on this side, and the other cherub at the other end on that side. He made the cherubim at the two ends of one piece with the mercy seat.
9 The cherubim spread out their wings upward, covering the lid(mercy seat), and the creatures faced each other across the lid.
The Table for the Showbread
10 Then he made a table of acacia wood; it was thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
11 He covered it with pure gold and put a gold strip around it.
12 He made a frame three inches high that stood up all around the edge, and he put a gold strip around it.
13 Then he made four gold rings for the table and attached them to the four corners of the table where the four legs were.
14 The rings were put close to the frame around the top of the table, because they held the poles for carrying it.
15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were covered with gold.
16 He made of pure gold all the things that were used on the table: the plates, bowls, cups, and jars used for pouring the drink offerings.
Making the Gold Menorah
17 Then he made the menorah of pure gold, hammering out its base and stand. Its flower-like cups, buds, and petals were joined together in one piece with the base and stand.
18 Six branches went out from the sides of the menorah-- three on one side and three on the other.
19 On one branch were three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; likewise on the opposite branch three cups shaped like almond blossoms, a ring of outer leaves and petals; and similarly for all six branches extending from the menorah.
20 On the central shaft of the menorah were four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its ring of outer leaves and petals.
21 Where each pair of branches joined the central shaft was a ring of outer leaves of one piece with the pair of branches -thus for all six branches.
22 The buds, branches, and stand were all one piece of pure, hammered gold.
23 He made seven pure gold lamps for the menorah, and he made pure gold wick trimmers and trays.
24 He used about seventy-five pounds of pure gold to make the lampstand(menorah) and all the things that go with it.
The Altar of Incense
25 He made the altar on which to burn incense of acacia-wood, eighteen inches square and three feet high; its horns were a single unit.
26 And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it.
27 He made two gold rings for it under its molding at the two corners on both sides, to hold the carrying-poles.
28 And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
29 He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the perfumer.
Exodus 38 “these are the words” 38
Altar of Burnt Offering
1 Then he made the altar for burnt offerings out of acacia wood. The altar was square -- seven and one-half feet long and seven and one-half feet wide -- and it was four and one-half feet high.
2 He made each corner stick out like a horn so that the horns and the altar were joined together in one piece. Then he covered the altar with bronze.
3 He made all the tools of bronze to use on the altar: the pots, shovels, bowls for sprinkling blood, meat forks, and pans for carrying the fire.
4 He made a large bronze screen to hold the burning wood for the altar and put it inside the altar, under its rim, halfway up from the bottom.
5 He made bronze rings to hold the poles for carrying the altar, and he put them at the four corners of the screen.
6 Then he made poles of acacia wood and covered them with bronze.
7 He put the poles through the rings on both sides of the altar, to carry it. He made the altar of boards and left the inside hollow.
The Bronze Laver
8 He made the bronze bowl for washing, and he built it on a bronze stand. He used the bronze from mirrors that belonged to the women who served at the door of the Tabernacle.
not priestesses but women of pious character and influence, who frequented the courts of the sacred building (Luke 2:37), and whose parting with their mirrors, like the cutting the hair of the Nazarites, was their renouncing the world for a season [HENGSTENBERG].
The Court of the Tabernacle
9 Then he made a wall of curtains to form a courtyard around the Holy Tabernacle. On the south side the curtains were one hundred fifty feet long and were made of fine linen.
10 The curtains hung on silver hooks and bands, placed on twenty bronze posts with twenty bronze bases.
hooks--The hooks of the pillars in the court were for hanging up the carcasses of the sacrificial beasts--those on the pillars at the entry of the tabernacle were for hanging the sacerdotal robes and other things used in the service.
11 On the north side the wall of curtains was also one hundred fifty feet long, and it hung on silver hooks and bands on twenty posts with twenty bronze bases.
12 On the west side of the courtyard, the wall of curtains was seventy-five feet long. It was held up by silver hooks and bands on ten posts with ten bases.
13 The east side was also seventy-five feet long.
14 On one side of the entry there was a wall of curtains twenty-two and one-half feet long, held up by three posts and three bases.
15 On the other side of the entry there was also a wall of curtains twenty-two and one-half feet long, held up by three posts and three bases.
16 All the curtains around the courtyard were made of fine linen.
17 The bases for the posts were made of bronze. The hooks and the bands on the posts were made of silver, and the tops of the posts were covered with silver also. All the posts in the courtyard had silver bands.
18 The curtain for the entry of the courtyard was made of blue, purple, and red thread, and fine linen, sewn by a person who could sew well. The curtain was thirty feet long and seven and one-half feet high, the same height as the curtains around the courtyard.
19 It was held up by four posts and four bronze bases. The hooks and bands on the posts were made of silver, and the tops on the posts were covered with silver.
20 All the tent pegs for the Holy Tabernacle and for the curtains around the courtyard were made of bronze.
21 This is a list of the materials used to make the Holy Tabernacle, where the Ten Commandments were kept. Moses ordered the Levites to make this list, and Ithamar son of Aaron was in charge of keeping it.
22 Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah, made everything the LORD(Jesus) commanded Moses.
23 Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan helped him. He could cut designs into metal and stone; he was a designer and also skilled at sewing the blue, purple, and red thread, and fine linen.
24 The total amount of gold used to build the Holy Tabernacle was presented to the LORD(Jesus). It weighed over 2,000 pounds, as set by the Holy Place measure.
25 The silver was given by the members of the community who were counted. It weighed 7,550 pounds, as set by the Holy Place measure.
26 All the men twenty years old or older were counted. There were 603,550 men, and each man had to pay one-fifth of an ounce of silver, as set by the Holy Place measure.
27 Of this silver, 7,500 pounds were used to make the one hundred bases for the Holy Tabernacle and for the curtain -- 75 pounds of silver in each base.
28 They used 50 pounds of silver to make the hooks for the posts and to cover the tops of the posts and to make the bands on them.
29 The bronze which was presented to the LORD(Jesus) weighed about 5,000 pounds.
30 They used the bronze to make the bases at the entrance of the Tabernacle, to make the altar and the bronze screen, and to make all the tools for the altar.
31 This bronze was also used to make bases for the wall of curtains around the courtyard and bases for curtains at the entry to the courtyard, as well as to make the tent pegs for the Holy Tabernacle and the curtains that surrounded the courtyard.
Exodus 39 “these are the names” 39
Garments of the Priesthood
1 They used blue, purple, and red thread to make woven clothes for the priests to wear when they served in the Holy Place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
The Ephod(Breastplate of the 12 stones of Israel)
2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen.
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.
3 And they hammered the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs.
4 They made shoulder straps for it to couple it together; it was coupled together at its two edges.
5 And the intricately woven band of his ephod that was on it was of the same workmanship, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
6 And they set onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.
7 He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
8 And he made the breastplate, artistically woven like the workmanship of the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen.
9 They made the breastplate square by doubling it; a span was its length and a span its width when doubled.
10 And they set in it four rows of stones: a row with a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald was the first row;
11 the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
12 the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
13 the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold in their mountings.
14 There were twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel: according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes.
15 And they made chains for the breastplate at the ends, like braided cords of pure gold.
16 They also made two settings of gold and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
17 And they put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate.
18 The two ends of the two braided chains they fastened in the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front.
19 And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which was on the inward side of the ephod.
20 They made two other gold rings and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod.
21 And they bound the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it would be above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate would not come loose from the ephod, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
22 He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.
23 And there was an opening in the middle of the robe, like the opening in a coat of mail, with a woven binding all around the opening, so that it would not tear.
24 They made on the hem of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, and of fine woven linen.
25 And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates:
The bells were needed so that when the High Priest entered to most Holy Place were the Ark was on the Day Of Atonement, he had to go alone and noone could dee him. If the bells stopped ringing, the people would know because the bell stopped ringing and then they would pull on the cord that he wore (which extended outside the veil) and drag his body out of the most Holy place.
26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to minister in, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
27 They made tunics, artistically woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons,
28 a turban of fine linen, exquisite hats of fine linen, short trousers of fine woven linen,
29 and a sash of fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, made by a weaver, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
30 Then they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet:
HOLINESS TO THE LORD(Jesus).
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 Exodus 28:11).
31 And they tied to it a blue cord, to fasten it above on the turban, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
32 So all the work on the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
33 Then they brought the Tabernacle to Moses: the Tent and all its furniture, hooks, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
34 the covering made of male sheepskins colored red, the covering made of fine leather, and the curtain that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place;
35 the ark of the Covenant with its poles, and the mercy seat;
36 the table, all its utensils, and the showbread;
Showbread: Unleavened Bread only for use by the Priests.
37 the pure gold menorah with its lamps (the lamps set in order), all its utensils, and the oil for light;
38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door;
39 the bronze altar, its grate of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin(laver) with its stand; ;
40 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets, the screen for the court gate, its cords, and its pegs; all the utensils for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting;
41 and the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when serving as priests.
42 According to all that the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work.
43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded, just so they were finished. And Moses blessed them.
Exodus 40 “these are the names” 40
The Tabernacle Erected
1 Then the LORD(Jesus) spoke to Moses, saying:
2 On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
I.e: New Year's Day
3 You shall place in it the Ark of the Covenant, and partition off the ark with the veil.
4 You shall bring in the table and arrange the things in the established order; and you shall bring in the menorah and light its lamps.
5 You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the Ark of the Covenant, and put up the screen for the veil of the tabernacle.
6 Then you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the assembly.
7 You shall set the water basin (laver) between the tabernacle of assembly and the altar, and put water in it.
8 You shall set up the court all around, and hang up the curtain at the court gate.
9 And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy.
10 You shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy.
11 And you shall anoint the basin and its base, and consecrate it.
12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the church and wash them with water.
13 You shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
14 And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics.
15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing will be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”
16 Moses did; according to all that the LORD(Jesus) had commanded him to do.
17 And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up.
the tabernacle--the entire area.... the tent--the covering that surmounted it (Exodus 40:19).
18 So Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.
19 spread the cloth over the Holy Tent and put the covering over it, just as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
20 He took the Covenant and put it into the Ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the Ark, and put the lid (mercy seat) on top of the Ark.
21 And he brought the Ark into the Holy of Holies, hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the Ark of the Covenant, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
22 He put the table in the Holy Tent on the north side of the Tabernacle, outside the veil;
23 and he set the bread on the table before the LORD(Jesus), just as the Lord commanded him.
24 He put the menorah in the Tabernacle of the church, across from the table, on the south side of the Tabernacle;
25 and he lit the lamps before the LORD(Jesus), as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
26 He put the gold altar in the Tabernacle in front of the veil;
27 Then he burned sweet-smelling incense on it, just as the LORD(Jesus) commanded him.
28 He hung up the veil at the door of the Tabernacle.
29 And he put the altar of burnt offering before the door of the Tabernacle, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
30 He set the wash basin between the Tabernacle and the altar, and put water there for washing;
31 and Moses, Aaron, and his sons would wash their hands and their feet with water from it.
32 Whenever they went into the Tabernacle, and when they came near the altar, they washed, as the LORD(Jesus) had commanded Moses.
33 And he raised up the court all around the Tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
34 Then the cloud[of God's presence] covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD(Jesus) filled the Tabernacle.
-literally, "The cloud," the mystic cloud which was the well-known symbol of the Divine Presence. After remaining at a great distance from them on the summit of the mount, it appeared to be in motion; and if many among them had a secret misgiving about the issue, how the fainting heart would revive, the interest of the moment intensely increase, and the tide of joy swell in every bosom, when that symbolic cloud was seen slowly and majestically descending towards the plain below and covering the tabernacle. The entire and universal concealment of the tabernacle within the folds of an impervious cloud was not without a deep and instructive meaning; it was a protection to the sacred edifice from the burning heats of the Arabian climate; it was a token of the Divine Presence; and it was also an emblem of the Mosaic dispensation, which, though it was a revelation from heaven, yet left many things hid in obscurity; for it was a dark cloud compared with the bright cloud, which betokened the clearer and fuller discoveries of the divine character and glory in the gospel (Matthew 17:5).
the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle--that is, light and fire, a created splendor, which was the peculiar symbol of God (1 John 1:5). Whether this light was inherent in the cloud or not, it emanated from it on this occasion, and making its entry, not with the speed of a lightning flash as if it were merely an electric spark, but in majestic splendor, it passed through the outer porch into the interior of the most holy place (1 Kings 8:10, John 1:14). Its miraculous character is shown by the fact, that, though "it filled the tabernacle," not a curtain or any article of furniture was so much as singed. (Jamieson)
35 Moses was unable to enter the Tabernacle, because the cloud remained on it, and the glory of the LORD(Jesus) filled the Tabernacle.
Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation--How does this circumstance show the incapacity of man, in his present state, to look upon the unveiled perfections of the Godhead! Moses could not endure the unclouded effulgence, nor the sublimest of the prophets (Isaiah 6:5). But what neither Moses nor the most eminent of God's messengers to the ancient church through the weakness of nature could endure, we can all now do by an exercise of faith; looking unto Jesus, who reflected with chastened radiance the brightness of the Father's glory; and who, having as the Forerunner for us, entered within the veil, has invited us to come boldly to the mercy seat. While Moses was compelled, through the influence of overwhelming awe, to stand aloof and could not enter the tabernacle, Christ entered into the holy place not made with hands; nay, He is Himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God, ever with the grace and truth which the Shekinah typified. What great reason we have to thank God for Jesus Christ, who, while He Himself was the brightness of the Father's glory, yet exhibited that glory in so mild and attractive a manner, as to allure us to draw near with confidence and love into the Divine Presence! (Jamieson)
36 Whenever the cloud rose up from over the Tabernacle, the people of Israel continued with all their travels.
In journeying through the sandy, trackless deserts of the East, the use of torches, exhibiting a cloud of smoke by day and of fire by night, has been resorted to from time immemorial. The armies of Darius and Alexander were conducted on their marches in this manner [FABER].
The Arab caravans in the present day observe the same custom; and materials for these torches are stored up among other necessary preparations for a journey. Live fuel, hoisted in chafing dishes at the end of long poles, and being seen at a great distance, serves, by the smoke in the daytime and the light at night, as a better signal for march than the sound of a trumpet, which is not heard at the extremities of a large camp [LABORDE].
This usage, and the miracle related by Moses, mutually illustrate each other. The usage leads us to think that the miracle was necessary, and worthy of God to perform; and, on the other hand, the miracle of the cloudy pillar, affording double benefit of shade by day and light at night, implies not only that the usage was not unknown to the Hebrews, but supplied all the wants which they felt in common with other travellers through those dreary regions [FABER, HESS, GRANDPIERRE]. But its peculiar appearance, unvarying character, and regular movements, distinguished it from all the common atmospheric phenomena. It was an invaluable boon to the Israelites, and being recognized by all classes among that people as the symbol of the Divine Presence, it guided their journeys and regulated their encampments (compare Psalms 29:1-11, 105:1-45).
37 But if the cloud did not rise up, then they did not travel until the day that that it was taken up.
38 For the cloud of the LORD(Jesus) was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Can you imagine this site? In the day, something that would look like a tornado would be over top of the tabernacle, and at night, it would look like a tornado of FIRE!
“While it had hitherto appeared sometimes in one place, sometimes in another, it was now found on the tabernacle only; so that from the moment that sanctuary was erected, and the glory of the Lord had filled the sacred edifice, the Israelites had to look to the place which God had chosen to put His name there, in order that they might enjoy the benefit of a heavenly Guide (Numbers 9:15-23). In like manner, the church had divine revelation for its guide from the first-- long before the WORD of God existed in a written form; but ever since the setting up of that sacred canon, it rests on that as its tabernacle and there only is it to be found. It accompanies us wherever we are or go, just as the cloud led the way of the Israelites. It is always accessible and can be carried in our pockets when we walk abroad; it may be engraved on the inner tablets of our memories and our hearts; and so true, faithful, and complete a guide is it, that there is not a scene of duty or of trial through which we may be called to pass in the world, but it furnishes a clear, a safe, and unerring direction (Colossians 3:16).” (Jamieson)
When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it continues for ever. MATTHEW HENRY
LORD: YAHWEH - YHWH
"I AM[Hebrew:hayah] who I AM[hayah]. When you go to the people of Israel, tell them, '"I AM"[Hebrew:shalach] sent me to you.' "
"I am that I am" "I will be who I will be" or even "We are who WE ARE!" since the name like Elohim applies to both God the Father and Jesus!
(Hebrew:YHWH...Yahweh ) Originally Hebrew didn't have any vowels, and was written right to left, although some of the consonants carry with them the indication of associated vowel sounds. So we do not know today the absolute correct pronunciation of this name, wrongly translated Jehovah back in the 1800's. Some say Yahweh (Ya-Weh) others say (ya-a-veh) and others say it may sound like (ye-hav-vay). It's not important. What is important is that we are told that this is the family name of God. IT IS NOT the personal name of Jesus as many have stated and erred about. The Bible is clear that both the Father and Jesus are Yahweh! In psalm 110, "The LORD said to my Lord," Yahweh is clearly the Father God and not Jesus! There is a little known secret in this passge that I think has been missed by every single Bible scholar that I know, including the Armstrong's! The personal name of Jesus IS NOT YAHWEH (The exisiting one) but "hayah shalach"(to set free, the branch, or The ONE WHO SETS US FREE!) This is the name of Jesus. In John 8, when Jesus says "before Abraham was, I AM," he was not saying Yahweh, but hayah shalach! Look at the concordance of the Hebrew of Exodus 3:14 compared to that of Exodus 3:15. In verse 14, I AM who I AM is not from the Hebrew YAHWEH but HAYAH! Look for yourselves! In verse 15, the name Yahweh is used for the proper name of God for all time! YAHWEH, like Elohim is UNIPLURAL! Both the Father God and Jesus God are Yahweh (Yaw-weh), Jesus calling himself HAYAH (Ha-Yah or Ha-yeh). It's as plain as day!
Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, English? ...In the Name of God
Confusion sometimes arises among Christians as to how we ought to address God. Indeed some feel it is imperative that we use one of the Hebrew forms of His name. It is a matter of our salvation being at stake. Should we always use the Hebrew names? Has God revealed how we ought to address Him?It must first be understood as of paramount importance that our salvation does not hang on our shaping our lips in a specific manner to pronounce a word. No act of any human whether by word or deed can earn salvation. It is a gift freely given by a loving God through the awesome sacrifice of our Savior, the Anointed One, known to us as Jesus Christ. But could there be other reasons for addressing God only in a form of Hebrew?
The Language of Canaan
The Hebrew language (in the Old Testament called "the language of Canaan"), of course, is like any other - over time it evolved in its letter form, in its spelling, syntax, punctuation, etc. And it had its dialects (Judges 11:5-6). There is nothing "sacred" about Hebrew. The reason that writings which span three thousand years appear "all of a piece" to us is that they are all translated into the same type of English. The great diversity within "Hebrew" was rediscovered only about a century ago. This process has also happened with our King James Version of 1611. Its English was updated by publishers as the language changed. [The KJV, as now printed, is the Cambridge University edition of 1858.] So care is needed in our interpretation of the Biblical text. How Hebrew is now pronounced is a product of the Middle Ages - a thousand years after the Biblical (OT) period. Hebrew scholars can identify clear differences between the pronunciation and grammar of modern Hebrew and that of Bible times.
God at first revealed Himself to His people, most of whom spoke what we term the Hebrew language, or a variant such as "proto- Hebrew" (related to Ugaritic). (There is no evidence that, say, Noah or his contemporaries spoke what we call "Hebrew".) That revelation included a number of names descriptive of His nature. His power is revealed in the first-used words for God - El and Elohim. These words were translated by the Jews in the LXX [Septuagint - Greek translation of the Old Testament, mostly translated before the time of Jesus] and by the writers of the New Testament as the Greek word theos. Other Hebrew names for God include YHVH-Jireh, YHVH-Sabaoth, YHVH-Rapha etc. But God is also known by a large number of other names.
A name, in biblical usage, "correctly describes the person, place or object and indicates the essential character of that to which the name is given". These names have no significance to those who do not understand the language in which they were spoken (c.f., Genesis 17:5). They are mere sounds, not magical, and have to be translated. And when understood - by translation - they add to our comprehension of God's majesty and power and love.
The most significant name of God is YHVH - the so-called "tetragrammaton" (a Greek word, meaning "4 letters"). It is also written as "JHVH" and "YHWH" because Hebrew and English letters do not match exactly. The exact pronunciation of YHVH is not now known, the vowels of the word Adonai, lord or master, being inserted by Jews as a reminder to substitute "Adonai" for "YHVH" whenever reading aloud. However, in the Passover Papyrus (a letter from Jews in Jerusalem to those in Egypt in the 5th century BC), the vowels were supplied as YAHO - likely, similar in sound to the LXX IO (Exodus 3:14). The meaning of "YHVH" was revealed in these verses by God Himself "I am that I am". That is, YHVH is the one who "is, was, and is to come" (see Revelation 1:8, John 8:58). He is the self-existing one. Thus when we read the name (it appears 6823 times in the Scriptures) we could call God "the Eternal" - as does the French language Bible or the Moffatt version. This is an apt English translation, and comprehensible to the English language speaker. In this form it imparts the essential understanding God wanted us to have about His nature.
It was in the early Hellenistic period [shortly before the time of Jesus], following the translation of the Scriptures into Greek, that the Jews began to follow the Gentile mystical practice of attributing to God an "unutterable name of the divine essence". The Jews, to avoid any possibility of going contrary to Leviticus 24:16, had a superstitious regard for the name of God, both in speaking and writing. Indeed there is evidence that the "sacred name" had occult significance in Judaism.
Greek Language
A couple of centuries before Jesus was born the Jews translated YHVH into the Greek word Kurios = Lord, or having power (see the Septuagint - LXX - version). There were no scruples at that time about using a translation of the name of God into Greek. The New Testament writers continued this, calling God, and Jesus, Lord, Kurios. Note also that most quotations in the New Testament from the Old are from the LXX version. It was the text commonly used by Christians for the first three centuries. [So much so that the LXX fell into disrepute among the Jews for being too "pro- Christian", so the Jews made other anti-Christian translations of the OT].
For all its imperfections, God chose the Greek language to preserve His new covenant witness. In the first century Greek held a comparable position in the world as does English today. Jews, from the fourth century BC on through the time of the NT writings, were immersed in the vernacular Greek language (koine) and its culture.
There are Greek manuscripts in which the name "YHVH" is written in the Aramaic script used to write Hebrew from before the time of Jesus till today. Aramaic was the language that replaced Hebrew in common speech about 400 B.C. This caused some confusion among the Greeks because "YHVH" looks like "PIPI" in Greek letters. So many Greeks thought that the God of the Jews was called "Pipi". In another twist, in some texts written in Aramaic script, YHVH is written using the old Hebrew script, which fell into disuse about 400 B.C.
It has been suggested that there was some great conspiracy by heretical Greek Christian leaders to supplant the Hebrew names of God in the New Testament by one related to a pagan God. It is supposition and without evidence. If this indeed were the case, there's no part of the Greek text of the New Testament which we could trust! For the books of the New Testament were written in different places, sent to different people and, almost before the ink was dry, copied hundreds of times. There was no chance to recall all the copies to expunge the Hebrew names of God and substitute pagan titles! They were read out loud and dictated to copyists in Greek. There are early Christian documents in Aramaic, e.g., the Odes of Solomon. These are not in the New Testament. If there were Aramaic or Hebrew originals to any of the New Testament books, they were translated into Greek very early and the original versions were lost. God chose to preserve the New Testament in Greek. The many appendages to YHVH (e.g., YHVH-jireh) add to our understanding of God's nature, but only when translated into the language of the hearer. They help us focus on the many revealed aspects of the character of God. Simply using the Hebrew form has no significance for those who do not understand the Hebrew language. To comprehend the meaning of God's names needs translation. There is no virtue in using the Hebrew form - unless Hebrew is your native language! Otherwise there is just blind incomprehension. There is nothing magical or virtuous about using either the correct pronunciation (which is not anyway known for certain) or a foreign language (see I Corinthians 14:27-28)!
"Jesus"
Much the same applies to the name Jesus, the name given by God to the Messiah before his birth (Matthew 1:21). There is no logical reason to view this as a "sacred name". It was common to many of the Jewish race - but in the Hebrew form usually transliterated Joshua, or the Aramaic Yashua, meaning "God Saves" or "God the Savior". This meaning is so much associated with "Jesus" that anyone with a smattering of Bible interest knows its significance. And until his resurrection, remember, our Savior was human - "the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5). The use of Jesus for Joshua was common long before the birth of our Savior - e.g., in the Greek LXX translation. The form was identical (the precise transliteration is Iesous) to that of the New Testament text, both for Jesus Christ and for others named there with the same name, e.g., the Book of Joshua.
Another name applied to Jesus Christ is Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23: "his name shall be called Emmanuel"). The meaning is lost on the non-Hebrew speaker, but when translated is a vital clue to the nature of Jesus: "God with us". Perfectly understandable in Hebrew but not in any other language. The New Testament writers did not elsewhere use the term. Matthew. notice, was not averse to translating this "sacred name" into Greek!
In sum, then, there is no compulsion to use the Hebrew form of God's names. It merely serves to hide their meaning to the non-Hebrew speaker. Like other "works" it will neither enhance nor hinder our salvation. But we can - and should - learn much about the character of God through a study of the many given names with which He is identified.
A Family Relationship
In his own prayers, Jesus gave us the example of addressing God as "Father", "Our Father" or "Holy Father". And the New Testament writers usually called Jesus "Lord". He is also referred to as "Savior," or "Jesus Christ". Christ is Greek for Messiah which means "the Anointed One". It is helpful at times to consciously remind ourselves of the meaning of these names. But it is in no way essential.
When the Messiah returns He will "turn to the people a pure language" - not necessarily Hebrew. Even Hebrew has its imperfections! All the defiling accretions that have clung to His name will be authentically removed by divine fiat. Men - including those who claim to be Christian - have attached to God a variety of practices that provoke Him to anger (Ezekiel 43:6-10). In Christianity, a host of heathen customs have been included - such as Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day, etc. The superstitious use of "sacred names", too. None reflect the worship God defines in Scripture - and requires of us.
As believers in the true faith of the Bible, we are to rejoice in a close family relationship with the One who has begotten us as His children, and forgiven our sin through His Son. As such we need only - in company with Jesus himself and the apostles (over fifty times in the Acts and Epistles) - address Him as Father (e.g., Matthew 6:5-14).
The occasions on which we need to use the Hebrew forms of God's names are limited to scholarship, private study and Bible exposition of those names.
– James McBride
THE PRIEST
The repentant Israelite who had gone through the gate of the tabernacle with his sacrifice and reached the bronze altar had proceeded as far as he dare go along the path of approach to God. Beyond that it was the responsibility of priests to go on his behalf and carry out spiritual tasks in the Holy Place. This they did as representatives for all the people. To them alone was the high privilege of the calling of God to serve him more closely than the congregation of Israel or even then the specially appointed Levites could.
The universal definition of a priest is:
"an authorized minister of a deity who, on behalf of a community, officiates at the altar and in other rites, acting as a mediator between the deity and man."
The Biblical definition of a priest is:
"A chosen officer or prince with the capacity to draw near to God and minister. He alone is responsible for offering the divinely appointed sacrifices to God, for executing the different procedures and ceremonies relating to the worship of God, and for being a representative between God and man."
A priest is one who makes the sacrifices, performs the rituals and acts as mediator between man and God. This means that he is responsible for offering the divinely appointed sacrifices to God, for executing the different procedures and ceremonies relating to the worship of God, and for being a representative between God and man.
As we have seen, the Levites were chosen as those who would specially serve God, and it was from the Levites that the priests were chosen. They originated in one family, that of Aaron and his four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But due to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, the priestly succession came through Eleazar and Ithamar whose descendants provided the hereditary priests in Israel.
Their duties fell under three main headings. (Service, Teaching, and Prayer)
1. The first was to minister in the sanctuary, which at this time was the tabernacle, but when Israel became a settled nation it would be the temple.
2. Secondly, priests were responsible for teaching the people the law of God, and
3. Thirdly, when God's will was sought for the nation, it was the priests who prayed for guidance.
Something of the importance of the priest in Old Testament worship may be judged from the fact that the Hebrew word for priest 'cohen' occurs almost 800 times. It is interesting that the verb kahan (from the same root as cohen) is used in the Old Testament of a bridegroom decking himself with ornaments.
Priests wore distinctive clothing whenever they were in attendance at the altar or entered the Holy Place. Their clothing had to be clean and pure before they could approach God.
Christ Our Priest
The priests of Israel were but dim shadows of the one Great Priest of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. A few brief passages give us an understanding of the perfection found in the priestly character of Christ:
(1) Christ as Priest is appointed and chosen by God
Heb 5:5 "So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You."
(2) He is consecrated with an oath
Heb 7:20-22 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek' "), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
(3) He is sinless
Heb 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
(4) His priesthood is unchangeable
Heb 7:23-24 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
(5) His offering is perfect and final
Heb 9:25-28 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another--He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
(6) He Intercedes continually
Heb 7:24-25 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
(7) He is the only mediator
1 Tim 2:5 "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus"
The Consecration of the Priests (Ch. 29)
Israel's priesthood was vested in the family of Aaron of the tribe of Levi, and the office was hereditary so that only by birth could one gain entrance. The first priests were: Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Today, all believers are priests, for the spiritual new birth includes appointment to the privilege. The New Testament further gives authority for the believer to consider Christ his High Priest.
Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
The Lord ordained specific ceremonies and sacrifices which required seven days to complete in order to consecrate a priest. The ceremony involved the offering of a bullock and two rams together with unleavened bread, and a drink offering of wine. There is specific mention of the anointing of Aaron with oil, and the fact that each of the priests participated in laying hands upon the sacrifice in order to show his identity with it. Also, each priest-elect partook of a portion of the sacrifice in a ceremonial feast. The priests-elect were carefully washed with water (which spoke of personal cleansing or sanctification), and they were also sprinkled with blood (which spoke of legal cleansing or justification).
Before any priest could take up his calling he had to go through a solemn ritual which lasted for seven days. The instructions given by God began with the statement:
Exod 29:1 "And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests...
What follows is an act of consecration for service and to 'hallow', means to 'set something or someone apart' for the particular service of God. The ceremony was conducted by Moses and took place at the entrance to the tabernacle within the courtyard.
The Cleansing
First of all there had to be a symbolical cleansing, so washing the whole body was the first act.
Later, when carrying out his task, the priest would frequently have to wash his hands and feet at the bronze laver symbolizing his need for constant cleansing in what his hands did and where his feet went.
The Anointing
After this the priests were dressed in their distinctive garments and their heads anointed with olive oil blended with spices:
Exod 30:22-30 Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Also take for yourself quality spices-- five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil. With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony; the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense; the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base. You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy. And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests."
Speaking of the Ark of the Covenant being taken to the temple in Jerusalem many years later in Psalm 132:9 it says:
Ps 132:9 "Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy."
The message is that after being cleansed spiritually, the righteous clothing is put on, and the anointing which comes from the Holy Spirit Himself is poured upon the priest to prepare him for the special service of God.
The Offerings
At the very heart of the initiation ceremony was the sin offering. The men who would represent the people before God must first of all have their own sins atoned for. Every day for seven days they offered a young bull. As with the sin offering it had to be killed and its blood applied to the four horns of the altar before being poured out below and parts of its body burned.
A ram was then offered in an act of dedication. This was a burnt offering in which the sacrifice in its entirety was consumed in the altar flames.
Finally, every day for seven days, a ram was offered for the priests and a special ceremony given to this last sacrifice. After their hands had been laid on it and the ram killed, Moses took some of its blood and applied it first to the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, then to the thumbs of their right hands, and lastly to the big toes of their right feet.
Exod 29:20 "Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar."
This was the installation ceremony of these men who were set apart for the service of God.
The Garments of the High Priest'(Ch. 28)
This section is mostly concerned with a description of the high priest's ceremonial robes known as the garments of glory and beauty. In style and color, the robes of the priests were rich in typical significance for they depicted both the wondrous beauties of Christ the High Priest and also the privileges and duties of all who are the priests of God, whether the appointed ones of the Old Testament or all believers of the New. In his garments of glory and beauty, Aaron became typically that which Jesus Christ was intrinsically in all the purity and holiness of His being.
'The Ephod' (28:6-14, 39:2-7)
His clothes had to be specially made by those who had been given particular ability for the task. Over a robe of checker work the High Priest wore a garment called an 'ephod'. It was made of linen with gold, blue, purple and scarlet. It was intended for both the front and back of the body and made in two parts, which were clasped together at the shoulder by two onyx stones set in gold. Each of these onyx stones was engraved with names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Six names, in order of birth, were carried on one shoulder and six on the other. This meant that every time the High Priest went into the Holy Place he bore the names of the tribes before the Lord and in keeping with the character of a priest, he represented these people to God.:
Exod 28:6-14 "and they shall make the ephod of gold blue purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked. It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together. And the intricately woven band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold blue purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel:
six of their names on one stone, and six names on the other stone, in order of their birth. With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall set them in settings of gold. And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial. You shall also make settings of gold, and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the settings."
Although in general, an ephod was a shawl or wrap, for the High Priest it was a particular outer garment in the style of a tunic or pinafore. It was made of linen in blue, purple, and scarlet and there was golden threads woven into it. It was made in two pieces joined together at the shoulders with golden clasps. Each clasp was set with an engraved onyx stone.
According to Josephus, the engraved onyx stones on the shoulders were designed so that the names of the six eldest sons were engraved on the stone on the right shoulder, and those of the six youngest sons on the stone on the left shoulder.
The ephod as a whole, with its different colors and materials, typifies Christ in His high priestly ministry. Christ, the High Priest bears His people upon His shoulders, the place of strength and seat of power. The shoulders also speak of carrying a burden, Christ, the High Priest carries the whole burden alone.
'The Sash or Girdle'
The front and back of the ephod were made to be as one garment by a sash or girdle, which was tied about the priest's waist. This was also of blue, purple, and scarlet linen intertwined with golden threads. In the language of Scripture for a priest to be girded with his sash was for him to be fully arrayed in his garments and prepared and ready to serve.
'The Breastplate' (28:15-29, 39:8-21)
Over the ephod the High Priest wore a breastplate which was a pouch about 22-cm square made of beautifully woven material. On the front of the breastplate were fastened twelve precious stones in four rows of three. On each of these stones were engraved the name of one of the tribes of Israel:
Exod 28:15-29 "You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold blue purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it. It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its width. And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings. And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes. You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end, like braided cords of pure gold.
And you shall make two rings of gold for the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Then you shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate; and the other two ends of the two braided chains you shall fasten to the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front. You shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which is on the inner side of the ephod. And two other rings of gold you shall make, and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod.
They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod, using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually."
The breastplate was actually a piece of elaborately finished cloth of the same material as the ephod. It was a strip twice as long as it was wide, but folded back on itself so as to form a square bag into which the Urim and Thummim were placed. The breastplate was held in place by golden chains attached to the onyx shoulder clasps and also by blue lace ribbons, which attached the breastplate to the ephod. Evidently, there was a small golden ring attached to each corner of the breastplate to which in turn the golden chains and ribbons were connected. The stones upon the breastplate represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were borne before the Lord continually as a memorial. Inasmuch as the twelve stones were in one breastplate they speak of the oneness of the people of God; while their position upon Aaron's breast speaks of God's affection for His people. the names on the breastplate were always close to Aaron's heart just as with Christ and His precious ones.
Jewish Tradition
In modern times the Torah scrolls of the synagogue are frequently wrapped in blue or purple velvet or silk cloths. A breast plate adorns the scroll, and a crown or coronets of silver and gold with tinkling bells are placed upon its rollers; these recall some of the items of dress of the High Priest.
'Urim and Thummim' (28:30, cf. Num. 27:21, 1 Sam.28:6)
It is not known for certain exactly what the Urim and Thummim really were, but it is thought that they may have been two precious stones, possibly gems, which were identical in shape. One or the other could be drawn from the pouch in order to provide a yes or no answer in seeking the Lord for guidance.
Exod 28:30 "And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually."
Since Scripture explicitly states that the Urim and Thummim were placed in the breastplate, it would seem that they were separate from the twelve stones mounted on the outside. The name Urim means "lights, " while Thummim means "perfections;" and these meanings have led some to speculate that perhaps the stones flashed in a particular way to indicate "yes" or "no. "
"We can draw no other conclusion than that the Urim and Thummim are to be regarded as a certain medium, given by the Lord to His people, through which, whenever the congregation required divine illumination to guide its actions, that illumination was guaranteed. When God was displeased with His people in later history, He refused to permit the Urim and Thummim to function as a means of guidance. Apparently in a day when man lacked most of the the revelation of the Word of God, he required some other source of information of divine will."
'The Robe of the Ephod' (28:31-35, 39:22-26)
Under the ephod the High Priest wore a robe of blue. Golden bells were attached to the hem and pomegranates made from material hung between the bells.
Exod 28:31-35 "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die."
The robe of the ephod was a plain blue sleeveless garment worn directly beneath the ephod and probably extending some inches below it. Apparently there was a row of pomegranates embroidered upon the hem (see Ex 39:24) interspaced with tinkling golden bells which sounded as the priest moved. The bells speak of listening to God while in His service and the music of them brings a certain joy. The pomegranates speak of fruitfulness (abundant seeds) and are symbols of the Word of God as sweet and pleasant spiritual food. The sound of the bells could be heard when Aaron went into the Holy Place before the Lord, and the listening people would know that he had not been struck dead in God's presence, but that his offering on their behalf had been accepted by God.
Exod 28:35 "And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die."
'The Mitre and Crown' (28:36-38, 39:30, 31)
On his head the High Priest wore a turban or mitre of fine linen which was bound around the head in coils like a turban or tiara. On the front of the mitre on Aaron's forehead, attached by a blue lace ribbon, there was the golden plate engraved HOLINESS TO THE LORD. This was a constant reminder of holiness to the covenant people in Israel and to the High Priest in his calling , for the Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy"' (Lev. 19:2).
Exod 28:36-38 "You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. So it shall be on Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD."
By being marked, the High Priest typified the true inner holiness on the ground of which, alone, Israel could be accepted before God. He was truly the most important man on earth. The conspicuous position of the golden plate upon Aaron's forehead gave special meaning and character to all of his garments and to his office. In committing himself to holiness, Aaron could be assured that he qualified for divine service and was accepted by God as a mediator between God and the people of Israel.
'The Ordinary Garments of the Priest' (28:39-43, 39:27-29)
Exod 28:39-43 "You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread, you shall make the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work. For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty. So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him."
The Priests officiating in the Holy Place wore these garments: A long tunic (the embroidered coat) with sleeves of white linen, woven throughout without seam, white trousers from hip to thigh, a white linen hat or mitre wound like a turban, but cone-shaped, and a sash or girdle woven in the same material as the veil (Ex 39:29).
Jewish Tradition
According to Jewish sources both ends of the girdle draped on the ground except when the priest was officiating, when they were thrown over the left shoulder. The sash or girdle was several yards long and was wound many times round the body between the armpits and hips. An interesting tradition declares that the old garments of the priests were unraveled and made into wicks for the lamps of the tabernacle and temple.
The Tabernacle:
The Tabernacle was a tent built by the children of Israel under the supervision of Moses, as told by God himself. The layout of the Tabernacle and the materials of its construction were specified in great detail to Moses by God at Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle and the TEMPLE, later to be built in Jerusalem represents JESUS CHRIST! Everything about it displays the revelation of JESUS as LORD GOD of the Old Testament. John, one of Jesus' disciples, tells us that "the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). The word 'truth' here is alethia in Greek, meaning 'reality'. The 'truth' John speaks of is Jesus Christ as the Word, who was God and who became flesh and tabernacled among us (John 1:1,14). (The Greek word sometimes translated as 'dwelt' here is more literally translated 'tabernacled'). Jesus said He had come not to abolish the law, but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17).
The Tabernacle is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the book of Exodus, when Jesus, as GOD, dictates to Moses the detailed design of the Tabernacle, He speaks forth a description of just who and what the coming Messiah (the Christ) would be. We read in the Gospel of John just how the Tabernacle relates to Jesus. Jesus shows Himself to be the reality of every item in the Tabernacle. The real Tabernacle of God with men is therefore the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Door to the Outer Court (Exodus 27:16-17)
The Door of the Outer Court was a large curtain, made of fine linen, coloured in blue, purple, red and white. I believe that the colors and appearance was very similar to the flag of England, or the “Union Jack” as it is called. “Jack” being slang for Jacob. Each of the colours has a significance:
Blue indicates Divinity: "Behold your God" (Isaiah 40:9), pointing to John's gospel, where doubting Thomas eventually says to Jesus "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
Purple signifies kingship: "Behold your King" (Zechariah 9:9), pointing to Matthew's gospel, where Jesus, the descendant of King David (Matthew 1:1), declares after rising from the dead: "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Me" (Matthew 28:18).
Red signifies blood: "Behold My servant" (Isaiah 52:13 & 53:5), pointing to Mark's gospel, where Jesus says He "came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
White signifies purity and being clenased from sin: "Behold the man" (Zechariah 6:12), pointing to Luke's gospel, where Pilate says of Jesus "Behold, I have found not one fault in this man" (Luke 23:4,14). “they that have washed their clothes and made them white in the lamb's blood.” (Reve
17:14)
Jesus Christ is pure and righteous, kingly and Divine! He became our ransom for the penalty of our sins. The Door then, is for us to enter into God's presence in the Tabernacle which is still in heaven. Jesus said "I am the Door; if any man enters through Me he shall be saved" (John 10:9) and "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to [God] the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
The Outer Court:
The Tabernacle's Outer Court is about 150 feet long, 75 feet wide and 8-10 feet high. It was dazzling bleached white! It was so noticeable against the surrounding rather drab colours of the camp and wilderness, that people could see it for miles. Of course the prsence of God was even more spectacular! Jesus, in His Godly form was everyday visible as a pillar of clouds (like a tornado) and at night a tornado od FIRE! The site must have been awesome indeed. It was impossible to see inside the Tabernacle from the camp outside. The white curtains made of linen was a separation between the outside world of sin and the beauty that was inside. In the Bible, white linen signifies righteousness (Revelation 19:8). In the New Testament also, the "wife of the Lamb" (or bride of Christ), is seen clothed in fine white (Revelation 19:6-9 ). When we see the white curtains of the Outer Court, we are reminded that our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2 and Romans 3:23).
The Altar:
The Altar for Burnt Offering was the first thing seen upon entering through the Doorway into the Tabernacle's Outer Court. It was made from acacia wood overlaid with bronze or brass, it was about 6 feet high of the ground and probably about 20-25 feet square. It was built of Acacia wood, a strong, high quality wood, overlaid with brass or bronze. The wood throughout the Tabrnacle represents the stake that Jesus would be hung from. The Bible speaks of God's judgement, particularly His judgement over our rebellious thinking and speaking against Him (as in Numbers chapter 16:29-40 and Jude v11). Since the wood is overlaid with the bronze, the Burnt Offering Altar reminds us of man under God's judgement for our rebellion against Him. Since the wood is acacia wood, this speaks of Jesus bearing the judgement of God for us on the cross. The blood of the offering was poured out round the base of the altar, foreshadowing the Lord Jesus, whose precious blood flowed out when His side was pierced on the cross by a Roman spear (John 19:34 & I Peter 1:19).
The good news of the Burnt Offering Altar: is that whether we are Jew or Gentile, we are all under God's judgement because of our evil thinking, speaking and doing. However, the Lord Jesus, "Who did no sin, neither was there any deceit found in His mouth" (I Peter 2:22) became the offering slaughtered in our place. By believing in His death, "carrying up our sins in His body onto the tree" (I Peter 2:24), we can be made acceptable to God, restored to the Shepherd and to His flock (I Peter 2:25). Then we can enter into His courts with praise and thanksgiving (Psalm 100:3-4).
A lamb was burnt at the Burnt Offering Altar every morning and every evening (Exodus 29:38-42). Learn to come to this altar every day to confess your sins to God and to remember (by offering thanks and praise, Hebrews 13:15) that the Lord Jesus died in your place to forgive you and to cleanse you from all sin by His blood (I John 1:7-9; Hebrews 8:12; 9:14), so that you might live not for yourself but to Him (II Corinthians 5:15).
The Laver:
A large bronze basin containing water. The Bible does not record its size or dimensions. This symbolizes baptism (Acts 22:16), after we believe (Acts 16:31-33) and become Christians.
Sanctuary:
The Tent (later the Temple) that housed and protected the home of God. The Door to the Sanctuary is the second of three 'doors': there was the Door to the Outer Court (where we first entered); here we are at the Door to the Sanctuary (where we enter the Holy Place) and soon we will come to the Veil at the entrance to the Holy of Holies.
There were two rooms:
1. the first room, on the East side (right), was called the Holy Place; the priests would enter the Sanctuary via the Entrance Door curtain on the East side (far right); the room contained:
1. the Showbread Table (inside at top),
2. the Lampstand (inside at bottom)
3. the Golden Incense Altar (middle);
the Veil (middle, left of centre) separated the Holy Place from the inner room
- the inner room, to the West (left), was called the Holy of Holies, where only one man (the High Priest) once per year was permitted entry; this was where God's presence and glory resided over the Ark of the Covenant.
The First Room:
The Showbread Table: Located on the right-hand side of the Holy Place, the North side, a little way from the gold-covered Boards. It was not very big: approximately 3 feet long, 18 inches wide and 24-26 inches high. It was made from acacia wood overlaid with gold, similar to the Boards, speaking of the two-fold nature of Jesus Christ: He was born of Mary as a genuine human being, yet conceived by the Holy Spirit and called the Son of God (Luke 1:35), truly man overlaid with God.
The Showbread Table had a crown made of gold, unlike the Burnt Offering Altar. Back there in the Outer Court, all was about washing, judgement and death at the bronze-coated Laver and Burnt Offering Altar. Here in the Holy Place, all is about life, food, light and fragrant incense. Therefore "we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, because of the suffering of death" in the Outer Court, but at the Showbread Table (and at the Golden Incense Altar) in the Holy Place we see Jesus "crowned with glory and honour" (Hebrews 2:9).
On the Showbread Table were placed twelve loaves of unleavened bread, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The loaves were replaced every week freshly on the Sabbath (Leviticus 24:5-9): fresh food in the house of God for the priests, Aaron and his sons. Peter tells us that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:8), who have tasted that the Lord is gracious (I Peter 2:3) are not only a spiritual house, but also a holy priesthood, a royal priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5,9). As priests, we are ministering to the Lord through faith in Jesus' blood and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Our food, in addition to some of the offerings, is the fresh bread on the golden Showbread Table: Jesus as the Bread of God who came down from heaven to give LIFE to the world (John 6:33), crowned with glory and honour.
The twelve loaves represent the whole people of God, in God's house (the church, I Timothy 3:15), in fellowship with one another (I John 1:7).
The loaves of unleavened bread remind us of the Lord Jesus saying "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger" (John 6:35). This unlimited supply of heavenly food, fresh every week, is to be the portion of the priests in the light from the Lampstand (Colossians 1:12). Every day we need to come to Him (John 6:37), see the Son and believe in Him (John 6:40); He is the living Bread, that came down from heaven to give us His life, life IN us (John 6:51,53). This life is brought to us firstly as the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63) and secondly, as the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Today, Jesus Christ can only give His life to us through His word and by His Spirit. The black-and-white word of the scriptures alone is not enough for life (John 5:39-40). We must come to Him in the word AND in the Spirit.
The Showbread is also called the Bread of the Presence. To eat Christ as the Bread of Life, we (the priests) must be in the presence of God, who is Spirit (John 4:24). The Showbread is for all the priests, in fellowship with one another in God's presence.
Based on the parable in Luke 11:5-8, we need the Bread of Life not just for ourselves (as in the daily bread in Luke 11:3), but also for our needy friends, who come to us on their journey. Jesus makes it clear: people in the world are hungry, but the flesh profits nothing (John 6:35,62). Jesus came that He might give life to the world, so that those who believe in Him may have eternal life (John 6:33,47). Therefore, we should ask, seek and knock in prayer (Luke 11:9), until He gives us as much Bread of life as we need for ourselves and for our friends (Luke 11:8). Our heavenly Father delights to do this! (Luke 11:13).
The Lampstand:
The Lampstand was made of solid, pure gold, beaten out of a single piece. It was placed towards the left side of the Holy Place, the South side. The size is unkown, but probably quite large. Maybe 6 feet wide and 4 feet high. It represents the LIGHT OF GOD! "The true light which enlightens every man was coming into the world" (John 1:9). In the book of Revelation we read that in the New Jerusalem, there will be one enormous golden lampstand, not requiring any more trimming. There will be no darkness to combat any more, just the flowing of the river of water of life, with the tree of life, from the throne of God and the Lamb (22:1-2).
The Golden Incense Altar:
The Golden Incense Altar was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It was situated just in front of the Veil, the curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The priest had to burn incense at this altar in the morning and at twilight (Exodus 30:7-8), as a perpetual fragrance before the Lord.
The burning incense signifies prayer (Psalm 141:2 Revelation 5:8) and points us to the prayer of the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (John chapter 17, Mark 14:32-42). It symbolizes the power of prayer.
The Veil to the HOLY of HOLIES:
The Veil was made using the four colours blue, purple, scarlet and white (of the fine linen) that correspond with the four gospels. We have seen these four colours previously at the Door of the Outer Court, the Door to the Sanctuary, the Cherubim Embroidered Covering that forms the ceiling of the Tabernacle and on the Ephod the high priest wore.
The Veil is the final door to pass through, to enter into the presence of God in the Holy of Holies. Entry was forbidden to all except one, the high priest, and his access was not free: he was permitted entry once only per year, on the Day of Atonement, when he brought the blood of the sacrificed goat to sprinkle on the lid (called the Mercy Seat) of the Ark of the Covenant.
The Veil reminds us that we are excluded because "we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, just as the Passover lamb was slain for the redemption of the children of Israel in Egypt, and the goat was slain so that its blood could obtain God's forgiveness for the Israelites on the Day of Atonement, so Jesus "bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (I Peter 2:24). As Jesus was hanging there on the cross, God "laid on Him the iniquities (the wrongdoings) of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). The final pangs of death came as Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Seconds later "He cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit" (Matthew 26:50). He cried "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He died.
The effect of the death of Jesus was dramatic: the earth quaked, rocks were split "and the Veil in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51). "From top to bottom" indicates that God tore it, because the Veil in the Temple was 25 metres high. (Here in the Tabernacle the Veil was just 4.6 metres high.)
Matthew 27:54 and Luke 23:47 both record that the Centurion at the crucifixion site saw the Veil tearing in two. This means that this Gentile sinner could also see straight into the Holy of Holies. This is a picture to show us that it is now possible, on the basis of faith in Jesus' death for our sins, to stand in the presence of God as justified and forgiven people (Romans 5:1-2).
As Hebrews 10:19-22 shows, the way to the Holy of Holies has been opened up for us through the Veil of Jesus' flesh being torn on the cross. There is a 'new' (literally 'freshly slain') and 'living' way for us to enter. The Lord Jesus Christ is not just our freshly slain, dead offering; He is also the Living One (Luke 24:5 Revelation 1:18), risen from the dead and ascended, our great High Priest, with our names on His heart (the Breastplate) and shoulders (the shoulder stones), going into the Holy of Holies, where God's presence is over the Ark of the Covenant!
The Ark of the Covenant:
The Ark of the Covenant resided in the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant is the best known item in the Tabernacle. It ws made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. It measured 5 feet long, 2 ½ feet wide and 2 ½ feet high. It was carried by two long bars, also made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Only once per year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) could the ark be seen, and only by the High Priest. He had to come into the Holy of Holies with the blood of a goat, on behalf of his own and the people of Israel's sins.
The Ark was God's throne in His dwelling place in the Tabernacle. God sat on it bewtween the two angelic beings. In Romans 3:24-25 we read there is redemption in Christ Jesus, because God has set Him forth as a propitiation, through faith in His blood. Christ has died. The price is paid. To those who believe in Jesus Christ's death for their sins, there is now mercy not wrath. "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us. Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:8-9).
Attached to the Ark's covering lid were two Cherubim. God's presence did not dwell inside the box, but remained over the Ark, in between the two Cherubim. Here God dwelt "in unapproachable light" (I Timothy 6:16 Psalm 104:2). The high priest had to shield his eyes, because "no man shall see Me and live" (Exodus 33:20). This was where God met with Moses (Exodus 25:21-22 Leviticus 16:14-15). The glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle on the day it was reared up and anointed (Exodus 40:9,18,34-35), exactly fourteen days short of one year since the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 40:2; 12:6,31). The two Cherubim on the Mercy Seat represented God's glory (Hebrews 9:5).
We are not told in great detail exactly what the Ark of the Covenant looked like. Some models, like this one, show the Cherubim kneeling. Other models show the Cherubim standing. What we do know is that the wings of the Cherubim were stretched out, to cover the Mercy Seat; the wings of the two Cherubim possibly touched one another to form a complete covering. The uncertainty should not unduly trouble us "for now we see dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known" (I Corinthians 13:12)
The veil being torn away at the moment that jesus died did two things. One it showed that all of us, that accepted Christ as LORD and Savior could go straight to God with our prayers. We need no other priest but Christ. Second, it was visable proof that the ARK was gone! The people had been lied to and the Hifh Priests knew that there was no Ark! The Ark disappeared from history in the time of Jeremiah. Mny scholars believe that Jermiah took the ARK and hid it, maybe with the Stone of Jacob, brought it to England. We do not know.
The ARK contained:
1. The Stone Tablets of the Law---The Ten Commandments were written on these two pieces of stone, by the finger of God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18; 32:16,19; 34:1). The tablets of stone are also called the tables of testimony (Exodus 31:18), because they show us what God is like: jealous, caring, faithful and true. He is holy and righteous.
2. Aaron's Rod that Budded-- In Numbers chapter 16, some came to challenge to the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses instructed everyone to appear before the Lord the next day. They were to fill bronze incense burners and place them before the Lord. God wanted to prove positively that Aaron was his choice for the priesthood (Numbers 17:5). A rod from the head of each of the twelve tribes was marked with the name of the tribe and placed before the Lord, at Ark of the Testimony (Numbers 17:4). When Moses returned the next day, Aaron's rod had budded with sprouts, yielding blossoms and ripe almonds. God instructed Moses to place Aaron's rod back before the Testimony, "to be kept as a sign against the rebels" to prevent further murmurings and death (Numbers 17:10). Aaron's rod that budded was a sign of God's continued choice of Aaron as a priest (Numbers 17:5). But Aaron's priesthood was interrupted by his death. The Lord Jesus Christ, though, has a priesthood that is constituted with an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16). He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25). Do you need to come back to God, now, through Him?
3. The Golden Pot of 'Hidden' Manna Manna was the food that came down from God to feed the children of Isreal daily in the wilderness for the forty years of their journey to Canaan. It was given to the children of Israel in such a way that it required them to develop self-discipline. Manna only came in the early morning with the dew (Exodus 16:13-14). By the time the sun was up, it would have evaporated (Exodus 16:21). It had to be gathered every day, any residue would breed worms and smell (Exodus 16:20), and they had to gather a double portion on the sixth day, because none would fall on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-27). It was called 'Manna', because that is Hebrew for 'what is it'. It looked like white coriander seed and tasted like wafer biscuits made with honey (Exodus 16:31). The Lord commanded Moses to fill an omer vessel with Manna and keep it for a memorial to future generations of how God fed them in the wilderness (Exodus 16:32-33). This is the Golden Pot of Hidden Manna in the Tabernacle. By a miracle, the Manna never rotted for hundreds of years.. Who knows it may still be in that pot, somewhere hidden from view.
