Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Theological treatise · Chapter 25 · Analysis – Diverse readings
1. The Method and Argument.
IN this Chapter Moses beginneth to set forth such generall ceremonies, as belonged to the Tabernacle▪ then instituted for the publike service of God: there are two parts thereof, the preparation, to vers. 10. the description, to vers. 40.
1. In the preparation, these things are expressed in the charge which God giveth to Moses: 1. Who shall offer the things required, namely, the people, vers. 2. 2. What they shall offer, vers. 3, 4, 5, 6. 3. To what end, vers. 8. 4. After what manner, vers. 9.
2. In the description: First, the Arke is appointed to be made, both the bodie thereof: 1. Of what matter, vers. 10. 2. Of what measure, vers. 10. 3. With what ornaments, it must be overlaid with gold, vers. 11. 4. What adjuncts and appendants, both of rings and barres, vers. 13, 14, 15. 5. And of the use thereof, vers. 16. As also the cover of the Arke: 1. The matter, vers. 18. 2. Measure, vers. 18. 3. The fashion with Cherubims, how to be made, vers. 19. and how to be placed, vers. 20. 4. The place of the cover, vers. 21. 5. The use, vers. 22.
Secondly, the Table is described: 1. The matter. 2. The measure and forme, vers. 23. 3. The parts thereof, the crowne, vers. 24. The border, vers. 25. The rings, vers. 26. 4. The appendants, the barres, v. 28. 5. The appertenants, the dishes, cups, goblets, vers. 29. 6. The use, to set the Shew-bread upon, vers. 30.
Thirdly, the Candlesticke is appointed to bee made: 1. The matter, and after what manner to bee wrought, of gold beaten with the hammer, vers. 31. 2. The parts, six branches, three on the one side, and three on the other, vers. 32. 3. The forme and fashion, with boules, almonds, knops and flowers, to v. 37. 4. The use thereof, vers. 37. 5. The appertenances, the snuffers and snuffe-dishes, vers. 37. 6. The quantitie, of a talent of gold; all this must be made, vers. 39.
2. The divers readings.
G. I.B.G. &c.Vers. 4. Fine linnen. G. rather than, cotten, or, bombasine. I. or, silke. caeter. shas. H.
Vers. 5. Badgers skinnes. I.V.A.P.C. or, skinnes of Taxus. B. which word signifieth a Badger: better than, blew skinnes. L.S. the word techashim signifieth Badgers.
Vers. 5. Shittim wood. G.B.C.A.P.I. better than, choice cedar. I. for there is another word in the Hebrew to expresse that:G.B. cum caeter. or, wood that would not putrifie. S. it was such wood indeed: but the word is Shittim: what kinde of wood it was is to us unknowne.
Vers. 17. A merciemercy seate, or propitiatorie. B.G. cum c…ter. Opertorium, a cover. A. a propitiatorie cover. I. the word caphar signifieth,B.G. cum caeter. both to cover, and appease: but the first rather here: it served also for the cover of the Arke; but both senses cannot well be joyned together.
Vers. 18. Of gold beaten out, or, drawne out. G.I.C.A.P. or, whole worke. B.I. better than, fieled worke, that is, which was not hollow. V. So Oleaster, or, burned gold. S. mikshah signifieth that which is drawne out, or beaten forth.
Vers. 22. I will meet with thee. I.V.A.P. or, appoint with thee. C. testifie unto thee. B. declare my selfe unto thee. G. be knowne of thee. S. but jaghad signifieth properly to meet with at a time appointed.
Vers. 29. For the best reading here, see the 38. question following.
Vers. 37. To give light to that which is before it. G. that is, of every part of it. I. better than, on one side of it. I.G.S. or, over against it. C. L. cum cater. at the passage of the face thereof. H. that is, round about: for it gave not light onelyonly over against it, but on each side of it.