Commentary on Exodus, Commentary · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Verſe 1. MOreover.] From the Furniture, he proceeds to the Houſe; and firſt orders him how to make the inward part of it.
Thou ſhalt make me a Tabernacle.] The Hebrew word Miſchean properly ſignifies a place to dwell in; an Habitation (according to what was ſaid XXV. 8.) For this was the place of the SCHECHINAH (which comes from the ſame root with Miſchcan) which dwelt here as in its Houſe. But it is commonly tranſlated a Tabernacle, only to ſignifie what kind of dwelling it was, viz. a portable Houſe, as Philo calls it, foreign: which might be taken down, and removed from one place to another, and ſet up again, without any damage to it.
With ten Curtains.] Theſe were ſo many pieces of Tapeſtry (as we now call them) with which this Tent was hung on the ſides, and covered at the top.
Of fine twined Linen.] Concerning fine Linen, ſee XXV. 4. and concerning twined Linen, ſee XXVIII. 6.
Blue, purple, and ſcarlet.] i. e. Yarn died of theſe Colours. See XXV. 4.
With Cherubims.] It is uncertain what Figure theſe were of. See XXV. 18.
Of cunning work ſhalt thou make them.] There were two ſorts of Work more Artificial than ordinary: the one called Choſcheb, (which is that here mentioned) the other Rokem, which we tranſlate needle Work. The former was the moſt excellent; for it was done by weaving, and had figures on both ſides: whereas that by Needlework had only on one ſide, as Jarchi here notes. Who ſays there was, ſuppoſe the figure of a Lion on one ſide, and of an Eagle on the other: or rather, he ſhould have ſaid, the ſame figure appeared on both ſides, as Maimonides ſeems to take it, in his Kele Hammikdah, c. 8. Whereſoever any Work is called Rokem in Scripture, it is to be underſtood of Figures which are made only on one ſide of the Web: but the Work called Choſcheb had ſigures on both ſides, before and behind. See XXVIII. 39.
Ver. 2. The length of one Curtain ſhall be eight and twenty Cubits, &c.] Every one of theſe Curtains was fourteen yards long, and two yards broad: for a Cubit was half a yard of our meaſure, according to common eſtimation. It was ſome Inches more, as I have obſerved on XXV. 10. but to make the Reader more eaſily comprehend it, I ſhall not exactly compute the length and breadth of theſe Curtains, but follow the Vulgar Opinion. And with theſe, it will appear afterwards, both the Roof of the Tabernacle was covered, and the ſides of it likewiſe, almoſt down to the ground, that is, within a Cubit of it, as Joſephus ſaith, and as may be made out from the Text: the Tabernacle (according to the common Notion of a Cubit) being fifteen yards long, five yards broad, and as many yards high.
Every one of the Curtains ſhall have one meaſure.] Be exactly of the ſame length and breadth.
Ver. 3. The five Curtains ſhall be coupled together, one to another: and other five Curtains, one to another.] Being thus ſewed together, of ten Curtains (each of which, as was ſaid before, was fourteen yards long, and two yards broad) was made two large pieces of Tapeſtry; each of them fourteen yards long, and ten yards broad. With one of theſe pieces of Tapeſtry the Holy Place was covered, it being juſt ſo many yards broad as that place was long; ſo that it did not come down before at the Eaſt-end, which was the Entrance of the Sanctuary. The other piece of Tapeſtry covered the Holy of Holies: which being but five yards long, one half of this piece hung down behind it at the Weſt-end, and touched the ſilver Baſes.
Ver. 4. And thou ſhalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one Curtain, &c.] Theſe two great Curtains being made by ſewing five leſſer together; the Loops were not woven with the Curtains, but tackt to the Selvage of the outermoſt of them; and were made of blue Tape.
In the coupling.] In that part of the great Curtains, where they were to be coupled together.
Ver. 5. Fifty loops ſhalt thou make in the one Curtain, &c.] Each of thoſe great pieces of Tapeſtry had fifty Loops; anſwering one to another ſo exactly, that they might take hold one of another.
Ver. 6. And thou ſhalt make fifty taches of gold, &c.] By theſe golden Claſps, the Loops were ſo linked together, that the two great pieces of Tapeſtry made but one Covering. Which is the meaning of the following words.
And it ſhall be one Tabernacle.] By this Union the Covering of the Tabernacle ſhall be, as if it were one intire piece.
Ver. 7. And thou ſhalt make.] Now he gives Directions about the outward part of the Houſe.
Curtains of Goats hair.] Though a ſoft kind of Cloath was made of Goats hair, yet in compariſon with the other, it was a courſer ſort of Covering, to be laid over the finer before-mentioned, for their preſervation and ſheltering from the Weather. The old Arabians called Scenitae, made their Tents of Goats Hair; for Solinus calls them Cilicina, which he interprets Caprarum pilis texta. Concerning the word we tranſlate Goats hair, ſee XXV. 4.
To be a covering upon the Tabernacle.] By Tabernacle, in the foregoing words v. 6. ſeems to be meant the covering of the Tabernacle, which was of one intire piece. And ſo it is to be underſtood here, where a ſecond Covering is ordered to be thrown over the firſt.
Eleven Curtains ſhalt thou make.] There was one more of theſe Camlet Curtains (as I may call them) than of the Tapeſtry, which were but ten.
Ver. 8. And the length of one Curtain ſhall be thirty Cubits.] As there was one Curtain more of theſe, ſo they were one yard longer than the former.
And the breadth of one Curtain four Cubits.] This was the breadth of the former v. 2. (where ſee what a Cubit was) but there being one Curtain more of theſe than of the other, they were two yards broader than them, when they were all joyned together. Inſomuch that they both came down lower than the other, on either ſide, half a yard; and alſo hung down a yard before the entrance of the Tabernacle, which the former did not cover at all.
Ver. 9. And thou ſhalt couple five Curtains by themſelves, and ſix Curtains by themſelves.] They were to be coupled together after the ſame manner as the former, that they might make two large pieces: but there being eleven Curtains in all, there were but five in one piece, and ſix in the other.
And ſhall double the ſixth Curtain in the fore-front of the Tabernacle.] The meaning ſeems to be, that he ſhould turn up that part of the Curtain, which hung down at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
Ver. 10. And thou ſhalt make fifty loops, &c.] This may be ſufficiently underſtood by what was ſaid concerning the Loops of the other Covering, v. 4, 5.
Ver. 11. And thou ſhalt make fifty taches of braſs, &c.] The two great pieces of the inner Hangings, being the richer, were coupled together with Claſps of Gold, (v. 6.) but theſe, being coarſer, only with Claſps of Braſs. Which did not lye directly over the the Golden, but, as Dr. Lightfoot obſerves, were three quarters of a yard more Weſtward: theſe two large pieces, not being of an equal bigneſs.
And couple the Tent together.] i. e. Theſe outward Hangings or Covering (as we tranſlate the word Ohel, v. 7.) of the Tent.
That it may be one.] That the two pieces may be knit together by the Loops and Claſps into one. See v. 6. where this place is there called Miſchean (dwelling) which is here called ohel; to ſhow more clearly what kind of dwelling it was; an ambulatory Houſe, ſuch as Shepherds have, which they remove from place to place, IV Gen. 20.
Ver. 12. And the remnant that remaineth of the Curtains of the Tent, the half Curtain that remaineth, ſhall hang over the backſide of the Tabernacle.] Theſe outward Curtains being four Cubits, that is, two yards and more broader than the inward, they hung down above a yard lower than the other on the backſide (or Weſt-part) of the Tabernacle, as they did on the Front or Entrance (I obſerved before v. 8.) which was on the Eaſt.
Ver. 13. And a Cubit on the one ſide, and a Cubit on the other ſide of that which remaineth in the length of the Curtains of the Tent, it ſhall hang over the ſides of the Tabernacle, &c.] Theſe outward Curtains being a yard (as two Cubits are commonly eſteemed) longer than the inward, as appears from v. 8. they hung down therefore on either ſide a Cubit, that is, half a yard lower than the inward did. And yet they did not come quite to the ground, but the foundation of the Tabernacle, which was of Silver, might be ſeen round about, ſave only at the Weſt-end.
Ver. 14. And thou ſhalt make a covering for the Tent of Rams skins, died red.] This was a third Covering, to be laid over the other two, to keep them from wet. It is not ſaid of what dimenſions it was, which hath made ſome fancy it covered only the Roof. But it is far more reaſonable to think it was as large as the foregoing Covering of Goats hair; which might have been ſpoiled by Rain and Duſt, if the ſides had not been defended as well as the roof. Concerning theſe Rams skins ſee XXV. 5.
And a covering above.] That is a fourth Covering above that of Rams skins, for the greater Security of the two inmoſt Hangings; which had need of all this defence, eſpecially on the Roof; becauſe it was flat, and conſequently the Rain was more likely to ſoak into it.
Of Badgers skins.] I obſerved on XXV. 5. that all the ancient Interpreters take Thachas for a Colour, and not for a Badger, or any other Animal. For which there is this conſiderable Argument, which I did not there mention; That when God ſets forth his extraordinary Kindneſs to Iſrael, as his beloved Spouſe, and ſhows, in many magnificent Expreſſions, how richly he adorned her, he ſaith among other things, that he ſhod her with THACAS, which we tranſlated Badgers skins; of which the meaneſt People never made any uſe for Shoes: And therefore Bochartus rightly concludes it ſignifies ſomething of greater value, viz. Rams skins died of a kind of Purple colour.
Ver. 15. Thou ſhalt make boards for the Tabernacle.] Or Planks, which were the Walls of the Houſe.
Of Shittim-wood.] See XXV. 5.
Standing up.] Erect upon one end; and not lying ſide-ways.
Ver. 16. Ten Cubits ſhall be the length of a board.] By this it appears the Houſe (according to the Vulgar Opinion of a Cubit) was but five yards in height. See v. 18.
And a Cubit and an half ſhall be the breadth of one board.] Three quarters broad; by which, compared with v. 18. it will appear how long the Houſe was.
Ver. 17. Two tenons ſhall there be in one board, &c.] The Hebrew calls them hands; becauſe they were ſo made, as to take faſt hold of the Sockets mentioned v. 19.
Set in order one against another. They were in each corner of every Plank, at the bottom of it.
Ver. 18. And thou ſhalt make, &c. twenty boards on the ſouth ſide, ſouthward.] By this it appears the Tabernacle was thirty Cubits, that is (according to common eſtimation) fifteen yards long; each of theſe twenty Boards being three quarters of a yard broad. But this ſeems not to be magnificent enough; and therefore it is more reaſonable to follow their Computation, who think the Jewiſh Cubit, was three Inches and more longer than our half yard. Which makes the Tabernacle near half as big again, both in length and height, than it is commonly deſcribed. See XXV. 10.
Ver. 19. And thou ſhalt make forty ſockets of ſilver under the twenty boards, &c.] There were two ſilver Sockets for each Plank, whoſe Tenons ſinking into theſe Mortaiſes, the middle of the Planks ſetled upon theſe Baſes, as the Foundation of the Houſe. For ſo the Hebrew word Adon imports; ſignifying that which ſupports another thing which ſtands upon it. And theſe ſeem to have been ſo large, that two Sockets were as long as each Plank was broad, that is, three quarters of a yard; and being joyned cloſe together, they made one intire Foundation, though conſiſting of ſeveral pieces.
Ver. 20. And for the ſecond ſide of the Tabernacle on the north ſide, there ſhall be twenty boards.] This Verſe, and the next, only direct that the North ſide of the Tabernacle ſhould be anſwerable to the South.
Ver. 22. And for the ſides of the Tabernacle weſtward.] The Hebrew word we tranſlate ſides, ſhould rather be tranſlated ends. For foreign, when it is applied to an inanimate thing, ſignifies the end, the term, or extremity of it. As XLIX Gen. 13. we tranſlate, it a border, and the LXX. in XXXVII Iſa. 24. tranſlate it foreign, the extream parts of Lebanon. And ſo both the Chaldee Paraphraſts in this place explain it, by the ends of the Tabernacle weſtward; for the Entrance was on the Eaſt, and the end of it on the Weſt.
Thou ſhalt make ſix boards.] Of the ſame breadth with the other, which made them four yards and an half, according to the Vulgar notion of a Cubit.
Hitherto there is no direction about the Entrance, or Eaſt-end; which is reſerved till the laſt.
Ver. 23. And two boards ſhalt thou make for the corners of the Tabernacle in the two ſides.] Beſides the ſix Planks before-mentioned, there was a Plank at each corner, which joyned the end of the Tabernacle and the two ſides together; and made the whole Building ſtronger and more ſtedfaſt. How broad they were, he doth not tell us; but I ſuppoſe only large enough to make the Weſt-end five yards broad, that is, each of them half a Cubit.
Ver. 24. And they ſhall be coupled together beneath, and they ſhall be coupled together above the head of it, unto one ring, &c.] To make all more firm, theſe two corner Planks (for of them he ſeems here to ſpeak) were to be knit to the other Planks, both at the top and at the bottom, with a golden Link. Some think every Plank was thus linkt to the next (whence they are here called Twins) for the ſtrengthning the whole Fabrick: but if this be true, it is not clearly expreſſed.
Ver. 25. And they ſhall be eight boards, and their ſockets of ſilver, &c.] Thus there were eight Planks in all at the Weſt-end, (v. 22, 23.) whoſe Tenons ſtruck into the Mortaiſes of ſixteen ſilver Baſes. See v. 19.
Ver. 26. And thou ſhalt make bars of Shittim-wood.] Beſides the Links of Gold which held the boards together, at the top and at the bottom; there were alſo wooden Bars, which run into Staples of Gold, which were faſtned in every Plank, as it follows v. 29.
Five for the boards of the one ſide of the Tabernacle.] There were five of theſe Bars on each ſide, v. 27. whereby the Planks were held tight together. Of what length they were, is not here ſaid; but Joſephus tells us, they were each five Cubits.
Ver. 27. And five bars for the boards of the Tabernacle for the two ſides weſtward.] Beſides thoſe on the North and South ſide (mentioned in the latter end of v. 26. and the beginning of this) there were five at the Weſt-end. For ſo it ſhould be tranſlated, not the two ſides (for there was but one) but the two ends; that is, the two Corners at the Weſt part of the Tabernacle, which was much ſtrengthned by theſe Bars. Or the Plural Number (as is uſual) is put for the Singular; this being the end wherein two ſides terminated.
Ver. 28. And the middle bar.] This ſeems to intimate that the other four were at the top, and at the bottom; and this in the midſt of the Planks.
In the midst of the boards, ſhall reach from end to end.] The Hebrew Doctors, whom Dr. Lightfoot follows, take this as if it ſignified that this Bar went through the very Planks, which were bored in the midſt. But then the Planks muſt have been of ſuch a thickneſs, as would have made them leſs portable, than this Tabernacle ſeems to have been; for they would have been Timber rather than Planks. I take it therefore that this was a long Bar, which reached from end to end, and went through Staples, which were in the middle of the Planks, as the other did above and below. The only queſtion is, Whether theſe Bars were in the inſide of the Tabernacle, or the outſide? It ſeems moſt probable they were without, under the Coverings; for they had not been ſo ſightly within.
Ver. 29. And thou ſhalt overlay the boards with gold.] If they were overlaid with Plates of Gold, it made them very heavy; unleſs we ſuppoſe the Plates to have been very thin. Others therefore take it, that they were only gilded.
And make their rings of gold, for places for the bars, &c.] The Staples were of maſſy Gold, into which the Bars went; which were alſo either overlaid with Plates of Gold, or gilded.
Ver. 30. And thou ſhalt rear up the Tabernacle, according to the faſhion thereof, which was ſhewed thee in the Mount.] When all theſe Materials were prepared, then he is here commanded to ſet it upon, according to the Model, which was ſhewn him now in the Mount. See XXV. 40.
Ver. 31. And thou ſhalt make a vail of blue, &c.] Concerning theſe Colours ſee XXV. 5. and of fine Linen, XXV. 4. of twined Linen, XXVIII. 6.
Cunning work.] R. Solomon here repeats what he ſaid before on v. 1. that the Work called Choſcheb was ſo artificial, that it had not only figures on both ſides, but thoſe different one from the other: For example, on one ſide a Lion, on the other an Eagle. Joſephus ſaith all ſorts of Flowers, and other Ornaments, were wrought in this Vail, except only the figures of Animals.
With Cherubims ſhalt thou make them.] See XXV. 18. This Vail ſeems to have been of the ſame Work with the reſt of the inward Hangings of the Tabernacle mentioned v. 1. unleſs we ſuppoſe that in them the Cherubims only were of Cunning Work. But I take the whole Work of this Vail to have been of that ſort; the Cherubims being in the midſt of all ſorts of Flowers and other Pictures.
The Hebrew word Paroketh, which we tranſlate Vail, coming from Perek, which ſignifies hardneſs and rigour, (I Exod. 13, 14.) it hath made ſome conclude, that this Vail was of a great thikneſs, (the Hebrews ſay four ſingers) which makes it the more wonderful that it was torn in ſunder at our Saviour's Paſſion. Certain it is, that it was ſo thick, that none could look thorow it into the Holy of Holies.
Ver. 32. And thou ſhalt hang it upon four pillars of Shittim-wood, overlaid with gold.] This is a ſign that it was thick and heavy, there being four Pillars to ſupport it, which ſtood at an equal diſtance one from another. Of Shittim-wood, ſee XXV. 5. It is uncertain whether the Pillars were plated over with Gold, or only gilt.
Their hooks ſhall be of gold.] Some will have the word vavehim to ſignifie the heads of the Pillars; for ſo the LXX. calls them foreign. But it litterally ſignifies hooks (as we tranſlate it) in the form of the Letter Van, which were on the top of the Pillars, upon which the Vail was hung; as appears from the next Verſe.
Ʋpon four ſockets of ſilver.] As the top of the Pillers were of Gold, ſo they ſtood upon Pedeſtals of Silver.
Ver. 33. And thou ſhalt hang up the Vail under the taches.] The golden Claſps that knit together the two great pieces of Hangings (v. 6.) were juſt between the Holy and the most holy place: So that the Vail, which ſeparated theſe two, hung exactly under theſe Claſps.
That thou mayeſt bring in thither, within the Vail, the Ark of the Teſtimony.] A ſeparate place being made by this Vail, the Ark was to be brought into it (See XXV. 16, 22.) and ſet at the Weſt-end of it.
And the Vail ſhall divide unto you, between the holy place and the moſt holy.] It made a Partition of the Tabernacle into two parts; one of which was the holy Place, into which none but the Prieſts might enter; and the other the moſt holy, into which none but the high Prieſt might enter, and that but once in the Year. The moſt holy Place was but a third part of the Tabernacle; being a perfect Square, five yards high, and as many long and broad; according to the common Opinion concerning a Cubit.
Ver. 34. And thou ſhalt put the Mercy-ſeat.] See XXV. 17.
Ʋpon the Ark of the Teſtimony, in the most holy place.] This being the moſt precious Teſtimonial of God's Preſence with them, was put in the moſt ſecret place of God's Houſe. Juſt as the Palladium, or whatſoever other ſacred thing it was of which the Veſtal Virgins were the Conſervators (for Diodorus Siculus ſaith he could not certainly tell, nor did he think it became a Religious Man to enquire into that which was intended to be a ſecret) was kept in the inmoſt part of the Temple of Veſta, which was called Penus, as we are told by Feſtus. Who ſaith, Penus vocabatur, locus ultimus in aede Veſtae, tegetibus ſeptus, &c. Into this place none but the Veſtal Virgins, and the Pontifex Maximus might go; as Lipſius obſerves in his Syntagma de Veſta & Veſtalibus, c. 4.
Ver. 35. And thou ſhalt ſet the Table without the Vail, &c.] This Verſe only directs how the Table and the Candleſtick (which were ordered to be made XXV. 23, 31.) ſhould be ſet in the Holy Place, which was without the Vail; one of them on the South-ſide, and the other on the North-ſide over againſt it. But whither in the middle of the Holy Place, or more toward the upper end is not ſaid.
Ver. 36. And thou ſhalt make an hanging for the door of the tent.] Now directions are given about the entrance of the Tabernacle; before which he orders a Curtain to be hung. Which may be called the first Vail, with reſpect to that before-mentioned, (v. 31.) which the Apoſtle calls the ſecond, IX Hebr. 3.
Of blue and purple, &c.] Concerning theſe Colours ſee XXV. 5. and concerning fine twined Linen, XXVIII. 6.
Wrought with Needle-work.] This was not ſuch curious Work as that which we tranſlate cunning Work (v. 31.) which was in the other Vail, before the moſt Holy Place. See XXXVIII. 39.
Beſides this, Joſephus ſaith there was another Vail of Linen, to defend it from the injury of the Weather; which was wont to be drawn aſide upon Feſtivals, that the People might ſee the Beauty of this firſt Vail. And indeed it is very probable, that ſome Curtain or other, was in bad weather, at leaſt, hung before it, to ſecure it; as the covering of Skins, was over the Hangings of the Tabernacle.
Ver. 37. And thou ſhalt make for the hanging, five pillars of Shittim-wood.] Theſe Pillars ſeem to have been diſpoſed in this manner. Two of them were placed at each corner, which, if they took up a Cubit, then the other three being placed at an equal diſtance, made four ſpaces, each of two Cubits (i.e. a yard) wide: at which the Prieſts entred, when they went to Miniſter in the Sanctuary.
And overlay them with gold.] It is not certain, whether with Plates of Gold, or only gilded. But it appears from the XXXVI. ult. (where we read of the Execution of this Command) that by Pillars are here to be underſtood only the Chapiters of them, which were all gilded; and the Pillars themſelves had only fillets, or hoops of Gold about them, in ſeveral parts of them.
And their hooks ſhall be of gold.] As thoſe for the other Vail were; See v. 32.
And thou ſhalt caſt five ſockets of braſs for them.] Their Baſes, on which they ſtood, were meaner than thoſe for the Pillars on which the ſecond Vail hung; for they were of Silver, as the Foundation of the whole Houſe was, v. 25, 32.