Esodo 38:9 Commento

Here is an account, I. Of the making of the brazen altar (Exo 38:1-7), and the laver (Exo 38:8). II. The preparing of the hangings for the enclosing of the court in which the tabernacle was to stand (Exo 38:9-20). III. A summary of the gold, silver, and brass, that was contributed to, and used in, the preparing of the tabernacle (Exo 38:21, etc.).

The walls of the court, or church-yard, were like the rest curtains or hangings, made according to the appointment, Exo 27:9, etc. This represented the state of the Old Testament church: it was a garden enclosed; the worshippers were then confined to a little compass. But the enclosure being of curtains only intimated that the confinement of the church in one particular nation was not to be perpetual. The dispensation itself was a tabernacle-dispensation, movable and mutable, and in due time to be taken down and folded up, when the place of the tent should be enlarged and its cords lengthened, to make room for the Gentile world, as is foretold, Isa 54:2, Isa 54:3. The church here on earth is but the court of God's house, and happy they that tread these courts and flourish in them; but through these courts we are passing to the holy place above. Blessed are those that dwell in that house of God: they well be still praising him. The enclosing of a court before the tabernacle teaches us a gradual approach to God. The priests that ministered must pass through the holy court, before they entered the holy house. Thus before solemn ordinances there ought to be the separated and enclosed court of a solemn preparation, in which we must wash our hands, and so draw near with a true heart.

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 38 This chapter is a continuation of the account of the making of the things belonging to the tabernacle, particularly the altar of burnt offering, Exo 38:1 the laver of brass, and the things it was made of, Exo 38:8 the court and its hangings, pillars, sockets, hooks and pins, Exo 38:9 then follows an account of the quantities of gold, silver, and brass, expended in the making of the several things appertaining to the sanctuary, Exo 38:21.

And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,.... Of whom and his descent see Exo 31:2. made all that the Lord commanded Moses; gave directions about them, and took care that the tabernacle and all things belonging to it were made, which the Lord commanded Moses, and in the exact manner in which they were ordered to be made.

Bezaleel makes the altar of burnt-offering, Exo 38:1-7. He makes the laver and its foot out of the mirrors given by the women, Exo 38:8. The court, its pillars, hangings, etc., Exo 38:9-20. The whole tabernacle and its work finished by Bezaleel, Aholiab, and their assistants, Exo 38:21-23. The amount of the gold contributed, Exo 38:24. The amount of the silver, and how it was expended, Exo 38:25-28. The amount of the brass, and how this was used, Exo 38:29-31.

The court - See Clarke on Exo 27:9.

FURNITURE OF THE TABERNACLE. (Exo. 38:1-31) the altar of burnt offering--The repetitions are continued, in which may be traced the exact conformity of the execution to the order.

the court--It occupied a space of one hundred and fifty feet by seventy-five, and it was enclosed by curtains of fine linen about eight feet high, suspended on brazen or copper pillars. Those curtains were secured by rods fastened to the top, and kept extended by being fastened to pins stuck in the ground.