Exodus 38:23

38:21-31 The foundation of massy pieces of silver showed the solidity and purity of the truth upon which the church is founded. Let us regard the Lord Jesus Christ while reading of the furniture of the tabernacle. While looking at the altar of burnt-offering, let us see Jesus. In him, his righteousness, and salvation, is a full and sufficient offering for sin. In the laver of regeneration, by his Holy Spirit, let our souls be washed, and they shall be clean; and as the people offered willingly, so may our souls be made willing. Let us be ready to part with any thing, and count all but loss to win Christ.

And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan,.... Of him see Exodus 31:6 . an engraver; of precious stones, as those in the ephod and breastplate: and a cunning workman; in devising and working curious figured works, either in weaving or with the needle: and an embroiderer in blue, and purple, and in scarlet, and in fine linen; which were used in the curtains and hangings of the tabernacle, and in the priests' garments.

(23) Aholiab . . . an engraver. —This is a mistranslation. Khârâsh means a worker in any material whatsoever. It should be rendered artificer, as it is in 1Chronicles 29:5 ; 2Chronicles 34:11 . A cunning workman.—Literally, a deviser; but the root is used especially of the devising of textile fabrics. (See Exodus 26:1; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:15; Exodus 36:8; Exodus 36:35; Exodus 39:3, &c.)

Verse 23. - Aholiab's special gifts are here pointed out. He was 1. An artificer (a general term with no special application); 2. A skilled weaver; and 3. An embroiderer . Altogether, his business was with the textile fabrics - not with the wood-work or the metal-work - of the sanctuary. Exodus 38:23

21. This is the sum of the tabernacle—Having completed his description of the component parts of the tabernacle, the inspired historian digresses into a statement respecting the gold and silver employed in it, the computation being made according to an order of Moses—by the Levites, under the direction of Ithamar, Aaron's youngest son.

[Reformed Biblical] And whereas some object that the tabernacle was not yet built, it may be replied, either that this is to be understood of the tabernacle spoken of Exo_33:7, which might serve for that purpose till this was built; or that here is a prolepsis or anticipation, and that he speaks not of what the women now did, but of what they did after the tabernacle was built, which was before Moses writ these words. Exodus 38:9 Exodus 38:10 ## Upon the hooks they hanged the beasts to be sacrificed, as the Jews affirm. Exodus 38:11 Exodus 38:12 Exodus 38:13 Exodus 38:14 Exodus 38:15 Exodus 38:16 Exodus 38:17 Exodus 38:18 ## The height relates to its standing or hanging upright, and the ## breadth relates to the hanging itself, and the height of the hanging was taken in the breadth. Exodus 38:19 Exodus 38:20 Exodus 38:21 This doth not belong to the following account of gold and silver, but to the foregoing particulars of holy things relating to the tabernacle, for these only were committed to the care of the Levites , as it here follows, but this gold and silver was put into other hands. ## For the service of the Levites , i.e. for those holy uses and services which the Levites administered. Exodus 38:22 Exodus 38:23 Exodus 38:24 Every talent contained three thousand shekels. See Gen_23:15 Exo_30:13. It is not said that all this gold and following silver were used about the building of the tabernacle, for the people brought much more than enough , Exo_36:5.

[Reformed Biblical] incense, Exo_37:25-28. The anointing oil, and sweet incense, Exo_37:29. Exodus 37:2 Exodus 37:3 Exodus 37:4 Exodus 37:5 Exodus 37:6 Exodus 37:7 Exodus 37:8 ## On the end , or, made out of the end ; for they were to be of the same piece with the mercy-seat, Exo_25:19. Exodus 37:9 Exodus 37:10 Exodus 37:11 Exodus 37:12 Exodus 37:13 Exodus 37:14 Exodus 37:15 Exodus 37:16 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:18 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:20 Exodus 37:21 Exodus 37:22 Exodus 37:23 Exodus 37:24 Exodus 37:25 Exodus 37:26 Exodus 37:27 Exodus 37:28 Exodus 37:29 ## Exodus 38:1 EXODUS CHAPTER 38 The altar of burn offering, with its furniture Exo_38:1-7, laver of brass, Exo_38:8. The court, and the hangings thereof, Exo_38:9- 20. Bezaleel and Aholiab make all ready, Exo_38:22,23. The sums of what the people offered, Exo_38:24-31. Exodus 38:2 Exodus 38:3 Exodus 38:4 Exodus 38:5 Exodus 38:6 Exodus 38:7 Exodus 38:8 ## Looking-glasses , as now they are sometimes made of polished steel, so anciently were made of polished brass, as appears both from sacred and from profane writers. See Job_37:18 Phi_3:9, &c. The words following seem to note a company of religious women, who in a more peculiar manner devoted themselves to the service of God in or about his tabernacle, by fasting, prayer, &c. See 1Sa_2:22 Luk_2:37.