Exodus 39

Ex 39:1-43.

GARMENTS OF THE

PRIESTS.

1, 2. cloths of service--official robes. The ephod of the high

priest, the robe of the ephod, the girdle of needlework, and the

embroidered coat were all of fine linen; for on no material less

delicate could such elaborate symbolical figures have been portrayed in

embroidery, and all beautified with the same brilliant colors. (See on

Ex 28:1-43).

3. cut the gold into wires to work it--that is, the metal was

beaten with a hammer into thin plates, cut with scissors or some other

instrument into long slips, then rounded into filaments or threads.

"Cloth of golden tissue is not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens

of it have been found rolled about mummies; but it is not easy to

determine whether the gold thread was originally interwoven or

subsequently inserted by the embroiderer"

[TAYLOR].

30. a writing, like to the engravings of a signet--The seal-ring

worn both by ancient and modern Egyptians on the little finger of the

right hand, contained, inscribed on a cornelian or other precious

stone, along with the owner's name, a religious sentiment or sacred

symbol, intimating that he was the servant of God, or expressive of

trust in Him. And it was to this practice the inscription on the high

priest alludes (compare

Joh 3:33).

34. the covering of rams' skin dyed red--(See on

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].

43. Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it

as the Lord had commanded--A formal inspection was made on the

completion of the tabernacle, not only with a view to have the work

transferred from the charge of the workmen, but to ascertain whether it

corresponded with "the pattern." The result of a careful and minute

survey showed that every plank, curtain, altar, and vase had been most

accurately made of the form, and in the place designed by the Divine

Architect--and Moses, in accepting it of their hands, thanked God for

them, and begged Him to bless them.