Exodus 39:42

39:32-43 The tabernacle was a type or emblem of Jesus Christ. As the Most High dwelt visibly within the sanctuary, even on the ark, so did he reside in the human nature and tabernacle of his dear Son; in Christ dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Col 2:9. The tabernacle was a symbol of every real Christian. In the soul of every true follower of the Saviour the Father dwells, the object of his worship, and the author of his blessings. The tabernacle also typified the church of the Redeemer. The meanest and the mightiest are alike dear to the Father's love, freely exercised through faith in Christ. The tabernacle was a type and emblem of the heavenly temple, Re 21:3. What, then, will be the splendour of His appearance, when the cloud shall be withdrawn, and his faithful worshippers shall see him as he is!

And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses,.... That is, the several parts of it before it was put together, with all its furniture, and everything appertaining to it; which are examined in the order in which they were directed to be made, from hence to the end of Exodus 39:42 and this was done, that Moses might inspect the whole, and see whether it was done according to the pattern shown him, and the instructions he had given to the workmen.

42 . As in v. 32 (cf. Exodus 25:8 ), the Israelites generally, not Bĕẓal’çl and Oholiab in particular, are mentioned as those who did the work. No doubt the ‘wise hearted’ assistants ( Exodus 31:6 , Exodus 35:10 ; Exodus 35:25 , Exodus 36:1-2 ; Exodus 36:4 ; Exodus 36:8 ) are thought of. Exodus 39:42

34. the covering of rams' skin dyed red—(See on [35]Ex 25:5). It was probably red morocco leather and "badgers' skins," rather "the skins of the tahash, supposed to be the dugong, or dolphin of the Red Sea, the skin of which is still used by the Arabs under the same appellation" [Goss].

Preparation of the priests' clothes. - Previous to the description of the dress itself, we have a statement in Exodus 39:1 of the materials employed, and the purpose to which they were devoted ("cloths of service," see at Exodus 31:10 ). The robes consisted of the ephod ( Exodus 39:2-7 , as in Exodus 28:6-12 ), the choshen or breastplate ( Exodus 39:8-21 , as in Exodus 28:15-29 ), the mel or over-coat ( Exodus 39:22-26 , as in Exodus 28:31-34 ); the body-coats, turbans, drawers, and girdles, for Aaron and his sons ( Exodus 39:27-29 , as in Exodus 28:39-40 , and Exodus 28:42 ). The Urim and Thummim are not mentioned (cf. Exodus 28:30 ). The head-dresses of the ordinary priests, which are simply called "bonnets" in Exodus 28:40 , are called "goodly bonnets" or "ornamental caps" in Exodus 39:28 of this chapter (מגבּעת פּארי, from פּאר an ornament, cf. פּאר ornatus fuit).