Month: February 2021

2 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts.

Rashi

Speak to the people of Israel . . . the appointed feasts of the Lord—Regulate the festive seasons in such a manner that all Israel should become practised in them, meaning that they should proclaim a leap year for those living in the diaspora who have already left their homes in order to go up for the feast but have not yet arrived in Jerusalem (Sifra, Emor, Section 9 1; cf. Sanhedrin 11a).

Rosh Hashanah 24a:12

The mishna further teaches that after the head of the court says: It is sanctified, all the people respond after him: It is sanctified; it is sanctified. The Gemara asks: From where do we derive this? Rav Pappa said that the verse states: “That you shall proclaim them [otam] as holy convocations” (Lev 23:2). Instead of otam, read into the verse: You [atem], as though the verse stated: That you shall proclaim, you. This superfluous word you teaches that the month must be proclaimed not only by the head of the court, but also by you, the people. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said that it is derived from the phrase: “These are [hem] the appointed feasts of the Lord” (Lev 23:2). The term hem can also mean: They, which indicates that they, the people, should likewise say and announce the appointed feasts of the Lord.

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. JOH 5:1

John Gill

After this there was a feast of the Jews—After Christ had been in Samaria, which was four months ago (Joh 4:35), and had been in Galilee for that time, and had cured the nobleman’s son, and had done other mighty works, the time came on for one of the three feasts of the Jews; either the day of Pentecost, as some think; or as others, the Feast of Booths; or rather, the Feast of the Passover, so called, in (Joh 4:45) since John is very particular, in giving an account of the several passovers, in Christ’s ministry.

And Jesus went up to Jerusalem—According to the law of God, which obliged all the males to appear there at that time; and to show his compliance with it, and obedience to it, whom it became to fulfil all righteousness; and this he did also, that he might have an opportunity of discoursing, and doing his miracles before all the people, which came at this time, from the several parts of the land.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, COL 2:1

John Gill

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you—This is occasioned by what he had said in (Col 1:29), that he laboured and strove according to the energy of divine power in him, to present every man perfect in Christ; and lest these Colossians should think that these labours and strivings of his were only for all and every of those persons among whom he was, and to whom he personally preached, he would have them know, observe, and assure themselves, that the great conflict, strife, and agony, in which he was engaged, was for them also; by which he means, his fervent prayers and wrestlings with God, the conflicts he had in his own mind, with his own spirit, about the good of the churches of Christ, the care of which were upon him, and even of those to whom he was by face unknown, sometimes hoping, sometimes fearing, sometimes rejoicing, at other times weeping, at what he heard concerning them; also his combats with the false apostles, striving and earnestly contending for the faith of the gospel, giving no place to them, no, not for an hour, defending truth, refuting error, and fighting the good fight of faith, by preaching, writing, and disputing; likewise the various persecutions, great afflictions, and hardships he met with from men, for the sake of the gospel; add to all this, the frequent battles he had with the enemy of souls, his wrestlings against principalities and powers, the many temptations of Satan with which he was attacked, to draw him off from the service of Christ, to weaken his hands, and hinder his success in it; all which he endured and went through with a greatness of mind, and that for the good of the churches of Christ, and the glory of his name, which were the great things he had in view and among others, for the good of these Colossians.

And for those at Laodicea—The saints of that place, the church of Christ which was there; and is the rather mentioned, because near to Colosse: it was a famous city by the river Lycus, first called Diospolis, and then Rhoas F16, and afterwards Laodicea; it was the metropolis of Phrygia, in which Colosse stood: hence this epistle is ordered to be read to them also, they being infested with false teachers, and in the same situation and circumstances as the Colossians were; and though the apostle was unknown to both of them, having never been at either place, yet was heartily concerned for each of their welfare, and he strove for them as he did for others; one of Stephen’s copies adds, “and them in Hierapolis”; see (Col 4:13).

And for all who have not seen me face to face—Meaning the churches in Christ, and believers in him; such as had never heard him preach, nor had any personal knowledge of him, and conversation with him, which tend to knit the hearts of Christians more firmly together; yet his heart was towards them, he laboured for them, by praying for them, writing to them, suffering all things for their sakes, for the confirmation of them, and of the gospel of Christ. Christian love and care, and the benefit of the labours and sufferings of gospel ministers, extend and reach to persons that never saw them.

37 These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day,

Bekhorot 17a:19

Rav Ashi says: Along these lines, we can say also that if one trellised a grapevine over a fig tree, its wine is unfit to be used for drink offerings. What is the reason? The verse states: “An offering, and drink offerings” (Lev 23:37). Just as an offering must be an animal that has not changed, so too, drink offerings must come from wine produced by vines that were not changed.

Megillah 20b:12

And daytime is the time for taking the lulav, as it is written: “And you shall take on the first day the fruit of a beautiful tree, branches of a date palm and boughs of a dense-leaved tree and willows of the brook” (Lev 23:40). Daytime is also the time for sounding the trumpets, as it is written: “It is a day of sounding the trumpets to you” (Num 29:1). Likewise, the time for the additional offerings is day, as it is written with regard to these offerings: “To sacrifice to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day” (Lev 23:37). And this is also so for the additional prayer, because the Sages made it equivalent to those additional offerings.

Menachot 44b:3

GEMARA: The Sages taught in a baraita: The verse concerning the additional offerings sacrificed on the Feast of Booths and the eighth day of assembly states: “With the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs” (Num 29:18). This indicates that after the animal is sacrificed, one must bring the grain offering and then bring the drink offerings. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says that since the verse states: “Presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, an animal offering and drink offerings, each on its proper day” (Lev 23:37), one must bring the animal offering and then bring the drink offerings, and only then bring the grain offerings.

Menachot 79a:16

GEMARA: With regard to statement of the mishna concerning a case where the drink offerings of an animal offering were consecrated and the animal was then discovered to be unfit, Ze’eiri says: Drink offerings are sanctified only upon the slaughter of the offering. What is the reason for this? The verse states: “Presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day” (Lev 23:37), indicating that the drink offerings complement the offering and are consecrated only upon its slaughter.

Rashi

burnt offerings and grain offerings—(The grain offerings due with the drink offerings) that is brought together with the burnt offerings (Menachot 44b).

Each on its proper day—But if its day passes, and the prescribed sacrifice for that day had not been offered, this sacrifice is canceled i.e., it can no longer be brought on a later day (cf. Sifra, Emor, Section 12 9).

Each on its proper day—The quantity definitely assigned to each day in Num 29 (cf. Rashi on Exo 16:4).

Rosh Hashanah 25a:13

Rabbi Akiva said to him: My teacher, allow me to say before you one matter that you yourself once taught me. He said to him: Speak. He said to him: It states with respect to the appointed feasts: “The appointed feasts of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations” (Lev 23:2). And it is written: “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, holy convocations, you shall proclaim in their season” (Lev 23:4). And it is written: “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, you shall proclaim them as times of holy convocation” (Lev 23:37).

Temurah 14a:14

The Gemara answers: As the Sages taught in a baraita: The verse states in the section of the law dealing with additional offerings: “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day” (Lev 23:37). This teaches that the entire day is fit for bringing the additional offerings. The term: “On its proper day,” teaches that if the day has passed and the priests did not bring the additional offerings, one is not obligated to bring their compensation, and the offering cannot be brought at a later date.

Temurah 14a:16

Reish Lakish said that the source is from the following verse: “These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord food offerings . . . each on its proper day, besides the Lord’s Shabbatot” (Lev 23:37–38). The verse is expounded as speaking of a feast that occurred on a Sunday, and therefore it is teaching that the grain offerings and drink offerings for the additional offerings of the previous Sabbath may be brought on the following feast day.

Yoma 34a:2

Abaye continued: The sacrifice of the grain offering precedes the sacrifice of the high priest’s daily griddle-cake offering, half of which he sacrifices in the morning and half in the afternoon, as the verse states: “For presenting to the Lord food offerings, burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day” (Lev 23:37). Since the law states burnt offerings and grain offerings, apparently the daily burnt offering precedes the grain offering. And since the grain offering is part of the burnt offering sacrifice, it precedes the griddle-cake offering, which is a grain offering unrelated to the burnt offering.

The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

29 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock.

Rashi

The Lord—Wherever it is stated “the Lord” it signifies he and his celestial court, because the prefix “vav” expresses an addition, just as one says, “Mr. So-and-so and Mr. So-and-so” (Bereishit Rabbah 51:2; cf. Rashi on Gen 19:24).

Struck down all the firstborn—Even a firstborn of another people who happened to be in Egypt (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:29; cf. Rashi on v. 12).

From the firstborn of Pharaoh—Pharaoh too, was a firstborn, but he remained alive of the firstborn; and regarding this it states (Exo 9:16), “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power” at the Read Sea (cf. Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:29).

To the firstborn of the captive—Because they rejoiced at the misfortune of the Israelites (Midrash Tanchuma, Bo 7), and furthermore, so that they should not say, “Our god brought about this retribution” (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:29). The firstborn of the handmaid is included, because it enumerates here from the most important to the least important, and the firstborn of the handmaid is certainly more important than the firstborn of the captive (cf. Rashi on 11:5).

Yevamot 72a:4

The Sages taught in a baraita: All those forty years that the Jewish people were in the wilderness there was not a day in which the north wind did not blow at midnight, as it is stated: “At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt” (Exo 12:29). The Gemara asks: What is the biblical derivation? How is it derived from this verse that speaks of the exodus from Egypt that a north wind blew at midnight during the forty years that the Jewish people wandered in the wilderness? The Gemara answers: This comes to teach us that a time of favor is a significant matter. Since midnight had once been a time of divine favor at the beginning of the exodus from Egypt, it continued to be a time of favor throughout the forty years that the Jewish people sojourned in the wilderness.

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

John Gill

For you yourselves are fully aware—With great exactness and accuracy, with great clearness and perspicuity, as a certain truth, which was made plain and evident to them, and about which there could be no question; and which perfect knowledge they had, either from the words of Christ (Mat 24:42-44), or from the ministration of the apostle and his fellow labourers, when among them.

That the day of the Lord—Of the Lord Jesus, when he will show himself to be King of kings, and Lord of lords, and the judge of the whole earth; and which is sometimes styled the day of the Son of man, and the day of God, for Christ will appear then most gloriously, both in his divine and human nature; the day of redemption, that is, of the body from the grave, and from corruption and mortality; and the last day in which will be the resurrection of the dead, and the day of judgment, in which Christ will come to judge the quick and dead.

Will come like a thief in the night—At an unawares, and the Lord himself in that day will come (Rev 3:3; 16:1), respect is had not to the character of the thief, nor to the end of his coming; but to the manner of it, in the dark, indiscernibly, suddenly, and when not thought of and looked for; and such will be the coming of Christ, it will be sudden, and unknown before hand, and when least thought of and expected: and since the Thessalonians knew this full well, it was needless for the apostle to write about the time and season of it; which they were sensible of, could no more be known and fixed, than the coming of a thief into anyone of their houses.

3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1TH 5:2-3

John Gill

While people are saying—Or men shall say, that is, wicked and ungodly men, persons in a state of unregeneracy.

There is peace and security—when they shall sing a requiem, to themselves, promise themselves much ease and peace for years to come, and imagine their persons and property to be very secure from enemies and oppressors, and shall flatter themselves with much and long temporal happiness.

Then sudden destruction will come upon them—As on the men of the old world in the times of Noah, and on the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot; for as these, will be the days of the Son of man, as at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, so at the last day; see (Luk 17:26-30) and as was the destruction of literal Babylon, so of Babylon in a mystical sense, or antichrist and his followers.

As labor pains come upon a pregnant woman—Whose anguish and pains are very sharp, the cause of which is within herself, and which come suddenly upon her, and are unavoidable; and so the metaphor expresses the sharpness and severity of the destruction of the wicked, thus the calamities on the Jewish nation are expressed by a word which signifies the sorrows, pangs, and birth throes of a woman in travail (Mat 24:8), and likewise that the cause of it is from themselves, their own sins and transgressions; and also the suddenness of it, which will come upon them in the midst of all their mirth, jollity, and security; and moreover, the inevitableness of it, it will certainly come at the full and appointed time, though that is not known.

And they will not escape—The righteous judgment of God, the wrath of the Lamb, or falling into his hands; to escape is impossible, rocks, hills, and mountains will not cover and hide them; before the judgment seat of Christ they must stand, and into everlasting punishment must they go.

By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. HEB 11:28

John Gill

By faith he kept the Passover—Which Moses made, or appointed by divine direction; he kept it, with all its rites and ceremonies, and caused the people of Israel to observe it; and which he did, in faith of the speedy deliverance of the children of Israel, from the house of bondage; and in the faith of the Messiah, of whom the passover was a type; (See Gill on 1Co 5:7). The Syriac version reads, “by faith they kept the Passover”; that is, the Israelites.

And sprinkled the blood—Of the Passover lamb; which was received into a basin, and was sprinkled upon the lintel, and two side posts of the doors of the houses, in which the Israelites dwelt; which was done with a bunch of hyssop dipped into it.

So that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them—For the Lord, seeing the blood sprinkled, as above, when he smote the firstborn of Egypt, passed by the houses of the Israelites, so distinguished; and they were all safe within, and not one of them touched: this was typical of the blood of Christ being sprinkled upon the hearts and consciences of his people; whereby they are purified through faith; which blood is looked upon by Jehovah, so that justice passes by them; and they are all safe and secure, and will be, when others are destroyed; nor can they be hurt by the second death.

and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, HEB 12:23

31 Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.”

Rashi

Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night—This tells us that he went round to the entrances leading into the city crying out, “Where does Moses reside? Where does Aaron reside?” (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:31).

Both you—The men.

And the children of Israel—The little children.

And go, serve the Lord, as you have said—Everything shall be as you have said and not as I have said. “And moreover, I will not let Israel go” (Exo 5:2) is annulled. “But which ones are to go?” (Exo 10:8) is annulled. “Only let your flocks and your herds remain behind” (Exo 10:24) is annulled. Instead, take also your flocks and also your herds. What is the meaning of “as you have said”? You must also let us have into our hands sacrifices and burnt offerings (cf. Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:31).

37 And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.

Rashi

From Rameses to Succoth—These were distant from one another 120 miles and yet they reached there in one moment, as it is said, “and I carried you on eagles’ wings” (cf. Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 12:35 and Rashi on Exo 19:4).

Men—From twenty years old and upwards (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:6).

38 A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.

Rashi

A mixed multitude—A mingling of various nations who had become proselytes.

41 At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come. JOH 7:8

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” ACT 1:7

Institution of the Passover

43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it,”

Pesachim 3b:10

With regard to the investigation of the priestly lineage, the Gemara relates: A certain Gentile would ascend on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, claiming he was Jewish, and eat Passover lambs in Jerusalem. He would then return home and boast about how he had tricked the Jews. He said: It is written: “This is the statute of the Passover lamb; no foreigner shall eat of it” (Exo 12:43), and another verse says: “Any uncircumcised man shall not eat of it” (Exo 12:48). And yet, I ate from the finest of the fine portions of the Passover lamb.

Pesachim 96a:17

The Gemara continues to question: However, if that is so, when the verse states: “No foreigner shall eat from it” (Exo 12:43), so too, should it be inferred that it is only from it, the Passover lamb sacrificed in Egypt, that he may not eat, but he may eat from the Passover lamb sacrificed in later generations? The Gemara answers that the verse states: “You shall perform,” which teaches that the halakhot of the Passover lamb sacrificed in Egypt apply to future generations as well. Consequently, anyone who was prohibited from eating the Passover lamb in Egypt may not eat it in subsequent years either.

Yevamot 62a:3

Moses broke the tablets following the sin of the golden calf. What did he interpret that led him to do so? Moses said: If in the case of the Passover lamb, which is only one of 613 commandments, the law states: “No foreigner shall eat of it” (Exo 12:43), excluding not only Gentiles but apostate Jews as well, then here, in the case of the golden calf, where the tablets represent the entire law and where the Jewish people are apostates, as they are worshiping the calf, all the more so must they be excluded from receiving them.

14 If his offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or young doves.

Chullin 22a:15

The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “He shall bring his offering of doves or young doves” (Lev 1:14), that doves are older and not younger. As one might have thought: And couldn’t this be derived through an a fortiori inference:

Kiddushin 24b:20

The Gemara comments: One might have thought that if one brings a bird whose wing is dried, or whose leg is severed, or whose eye was removed, that it too is acceptable as an offering. Therefore, the verse states: “If his offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds” (Lev 1:14). This phrase indicates that only some birds can be sacrificed as offerings, but not all birds. This teaches that a bird can be disqualified due to a blemish. For example, if a significant part of the bird is missing, e.g., a limb, the bird is not acceptable as an offering. This indicates that the actual loss of an eye is considered a greater blemish than blindness. Consequently, if his master takes out the slave’s blind eye, he is emancipated.

Menachot 105a:3

Similarly, one who says: It is incumbent upon me to bring a burnt offering from a type of bird, must bring doves as his burnt offering, since the verse opens with it first in the passage discussing burnt offerings of birds, as it is stated: “If his offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of doves or young pigeons” (Lev 1:14).

Rashi

Of birds—But not all birds. Since Scripture states (Lev 22:19), “a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats,” it is evident that perfection and maleness are required only in the case of animals, but perfection and maleness does not apply to birds. One might think that a bird may be brought as a sacrifice even if it lacks a limb! Scripture therefore states: “of birds”—but not all birds (Kiddushin 24b; Sifra, Emor, Section 7 2).

Of turtledoves or young doves—The word “of” is intended to exclude birds in the first stage of their plumage becoming golden-coloured in the case of the one as of the other, for this stage makes the bird unfit for sacrifice, since such a bird is a grown-up one in the case of “young doves,” and a young one in the case of “turtledoves” (Chullin 22b; Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 8 5).

Turtledoves—Grown-up ones only may be offered but not young ones.

Young doves—Young ones only may be offered but not grown-up ones (Chullin 22a; Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 8 4).

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. MAT 11:29

and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” LUK 2:24

John Gill

And to offer a sacrifice—That is, when the time of purification came, the parents of our Lord brought him from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, to present him in the temple to the Lord as his, and to redeem him; and not only so, but to offer the sacrifice required of child-bed women.

According to what is said in the Law of the Lord—(Lev 12:8).

A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons—If the person was able, she was to bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering; and a young pigeon, or a turtle dove, for a sin offering; but in case of poverty, then the above sufficed, and one of them was for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering; which shows not only that the virgin offered for herself a sin offering, being ceremonially unclean, but also her mean estate and poverty, in that she offered the offering of the poorer sort; see (Lev 12:6, 8).

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 2CO 8:12

John Gill

For if the readiness is there—If what is done springs from a truly noble, generous spirit, a spirit of bountifulness and liberality; and is given cheerfully and freely, and according to a man’s ability; the quantity matters not, whether it be more or less.

It is acceptable—Both of God and man.

According to what a person has, not according to what he does not have—The widow’s mite was as acceptable, and more so, than all the rich men cast into the treasury; a cup of cold water given to a prophet, in the name of a prophet, is taken notice of by God, and shall have its reward. The present sent by the Philippians to the apostle Paul, and which perhaps was not very large, was “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Php 4:18).

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. HEB 7:26

John Gill

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest—Is suitable to us, answers to our cases and necessities, is every way such an one as is wanted.

Holy—By nature, originally and underivatively, perfectly and completely, internally as well as externally; he was typified by the high priest, who had holiness to the Lord written on his forehead, and far exceeds any of the priests in holiness; and such an one becomes us, for had he not been holy he could not have entered into the Holy Place for us, or have appeared there on our account, or have been our sanctification; so Philo the Jew speaks of the true priest as being not man, but the divine Word, and as free from all sin voluntary and involuntary.

Innocent—Without any vitiosity in his nature, without guile in his mouth, or malice in his heart; doing no injury to any man’s person or property: the character chiefly regards the innocence and holiness of his life and conversation; and in which he exceeded the priests under the law; and is a suitable one for us, for hereby he was fit to be made sin, and to take it away.

Unstained—With the sin of Adam, with which all mankind are defiled; with the blood of slain beasts, with which the priests under the law were sprinkled; with the filthy conversation of the wicked, which affects good men: hence he was more excellent than the priests under the law; and one that becomes us, since his blood is the blood of a lamb, without spot and blemish: the high priests under the law, according to the Jews, were to excel their brothers in knowledge, beauty, and riches; but the distinguishing character of our high priest is purity and holiness.

Separated from sinners—Not but that he took the nature of sinners, though not a sinful nature; and he was often in the company of sinners, when on earth, and was reckoned among them, and as one of them; but he was separated from them in Adam; he was not among the individuals of human nature that sinned in him; and he was brought into the world in a different manner from them, not descending from Adam by ordinary generation; and he had no communion with them in sin; nor did he encourage them to it in the days of his flesh; and now he is removed far from them; and herein he exceeds the priests under the law, and is suitable to us: the Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, “separated from sins”; the allusion seems to be, to the separating of the high priest from his own house to one of the courts of the temple seven days before the Day of Atonement, and so before the burning of the heifers.

And exalted above the heavens—Than the visible heavens, the airy and starry heavens, and than the angels in heaven; and so preferable to the high priests, and exceedingly agreeable to us (Heb 4:14), the allusion may be to the carrying of the high priest on the Day of Atonement to an upper chamber in the temple, called the chamber of Abtines: this may be understood either of Christ’s exaltation in heaven, where angels are subject to him, and his priesthood is completed; or of his excelling the angels in the holiness of his nature, which agrees with the other characters in the text, and stands opposed to the infirmities of the priests.

16 He shall remove its crop with its contents and cast it beside the altar on the east side, to the place of the ashes.

Meilah 12a:2

Rabbi Elazar said in response: It is derived from the fact that the verse states with regard to a bird sacrificed as a burnt offering: “He shall remove its crop with its contents and cast it beside the altar on the east side, to the place of the ashes (Lev 1:16), referring to the location for the placement of the removed ashes. If this verse is not needed for the matter of the external altar, as that halakha is already derived from the phrase: “And put them beside the altar” (Lev 6:3), apply it to the matter of the ashes of the inner altar, teaching that these ashes must also be placed there.

Rashi

Its crop—The word is connected in meaning with the word רְאִי in Rabbinical Hebrew; it thus denotes the place of the רְעִי, the digested food, i.e., the crop (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Section 7 9).

בְּנֹצָתָהּ means together with its entrails. The word נוֹצָה is really an expression for anything that is loathsome. Similar is (Lam 4:15) “for they are foul (נָצוּ), even slipping.” That is also what Onkelos means when he translates בְּאוּכְלֵיהּ, “with its digested food” found in its contents (excrement). This is the interpretation given by Abba Yose ben Hanan who states: he removes the stomach with it. But our Rabbis, of blessed memory, taking נוֹצָה; in its usual sense of “feathers,” say: with a knife he cuts out around the crop an opening like a flap and removes it together with the feathers on the skin (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Section 7 9; Zevachim 65a). In the case of the burnt offering of the cattle which eats only from the crib of its owner it is stated (v. 13), “But the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. . . . and burn it on the altar.” However, regarding birds, which feed themselves on things stolen from other people’s property, it states, “He shall remove its crop . . . and cast” the contents, which ate from stolen property (Vayikra Rabbah 3:4).

Beside the altar on the east side—At the eastern side of the כֶּבֶשׁ the inclined ascent leading to the altar (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 9 3).

To the place of the ashes—I.e., that place where they deposited the ashes removed from the outer altar each morning (cf. Rashi on Lev 6:3-4) and the ashes removed from the inner altar and the lampstand (Meilah 12a; Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 9 3). All these miraculously sunk there in their place (Yoma 21a).

Zevachim 65a:19

The mishna teaches that after the priest throws the bird’s head onto the fire on the altar, he arrives at the body and removes the crop and its feathers attached to it and its contents that emerge with them, and tosses them to the place of the ashes. The Sages taught in a baraita with regard to the verse pertaining to a bird burnt offering: “He shall remove murato with its contents” (Lev 1:16). This word, murato, is referring to the crop.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” LUK 1:35

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 1PE 1:2

17 He shall split it open by its wing feathers, but shall not tear it completely apart. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Menachot 110a:14

MISHNA: It is stated with regard to an animal burnt offering: “A food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (Lev 1:9), and with regard to a bird burnt offering: “A food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (Lev 1:17), and with regard to a meal offering: “A food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (Lev 2:2). The repetitive language employed concerning all of these different offerings is to say to you that one who brings a substantial offering and one who brings a meager offering have equal merit, provided that he directs his heart toward heaven.

Rashi

He shall split it open—The term שִׁסּוּעַ is is used only for splitting open with the hands. Similarly it states in the story of Samson (Jdg 14:6) “he rent him (וישסעהו) as he would have rent a young goat” (Zevachim 65b).

By its wing feathers means actually the feathers. But surely you will not find even a common sort of man who can smell the odour of burnt feathers without being disgusted with it! Why, then, does Scripture say that it shall be offered with the feathers? In order that the altar should appear full up and adorned with the sacrifice of the poor (Vayikra Rabbah 3:5).

By its wing feathers means: with its feathers he need not pluck out the feathers.

But shall not tear it completely apart—He must not tear it apart completely into two pieces. Rather, he must tear it along its back. It is stated here of a bird-offering “a pleasing aroma to the Lord” and it is stated (v. 9) of an animal-sacrifice “a pleasing aroma to the Lord,” to tell you: whether one offers much or little it is equally pleasing to God provided that he directs his heart to heaven (Menachot 110a; Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Section 9 7).

Laws for Burnt Offerings

1 The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying,

Rashi

The Lord called Moses—All oral communications of the Lord to Moses whether they are introduced by וַיְדַבֵּר, “and he spoke” or by וַיֹּאמֶר, “and he said,” or by וַיְצַו, “and he commanded,” were preceded by a call (cf. Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 1 1-2). It is a way of expressing affection, the mode used by the ministering angels when addressing each other, as it says, “And one called (וְקָרָא) to another . . .” (Isa 6:3). To the prophets of the nations of the world, however, God revealed himself in a manner which Scripture describes by an expression ordinarily used for denoting events of a casual character and of uncleanness, as it says, “and God happened to meet (וַיִּקָּר) Balaam” (Num 23:4). The term וַיִּקָּר has the meaning of a coincidental happening, and also alludes to uncleanness, by analogy with Deu 23:11 (cf. Bereishit Rabbah 52:5).

The Lord called Moses—This implies that the voice went on and reached Moses’ ears only but all the other Israelites did not hear it. One might think that for the subsections there was also such a call! It, however, states, “and spoke (וַיְדַבֵּר) to him,” thus intimating that a complete section had (was preceded by) a call, but not the subsections. And what purpose did these subsections serve? To give Moses an interval for reflection between one division and another and between one subject and another—something which is all the more necessary for an ordinary man receiving instruction from an ordinary man (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 1 9).

And spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying—One might think from this that the Lord spoke to him from the entire house that is, from any part of the tent of meeting! Scripture, however, states (Num 7:89), “and he heard the voice speaking to him from above the ark cover.” From this, one might think that he heard the voice coming from off the entire ark cover. Scripture, however, continues, “from between the two cherubim” (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 2 12).

To him—This is intended to exclude Aaron. Rabbi Judah said, “Thirteen times in the law, God spoke to Moses and Aaron together; but corresponding to these there are thirteen which include expressions with a limitative force to teach you that they were spoken not to Aaron but to Moses only, with the view that he should communicate them to Aaron. The following are the thirteen limitations: (1) “to speak with the Lord . . . ,” (2) “. . . speaking to him . . . ,” (3) “. . . and it spoke to him” (Num 7:89); (4) “There I will meet with you at set times, etc. . . .” (Exo 25:22)—all the thirteen instances you will find in Torath Kohanim (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 2 1). I might, however, think that they (Aaron and all Israel) heard at least the sound of the divine utterance. Scripture therefore, says: not “he heard the voice speaking to him (לוֹ),” but “he heard the voice speaking right up to him (אֵלָיו)” (Num 7:89). This verse could have used the word לוֹ, “to him,” rather than such an exclusive expression as אֵלָיו, “right up to him.” However, it uses this expression in order to teach us that only Moses heard the utterance, and all Israel did not hear it (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 2 8).

From the tent of meeting—This teaches us that the voice broke off and did not issue beyond the tent of meeting. One might think that this was so because the voice was a very low one! Scripture, however, states (Num 7:89), “And when Moses came into the tent of meeting, he heard the voice.” What does it mean by the voice? It was the voice that is so minutely described in (Psa 29:4-5), “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks cedars.” But if this be so, why does Scripture state, “and spoke to him from the tent of meeting”? Because it intends to tell us that the voice stopped. A case similar to this where a powerful sound uttered within the temple was not heard outside, is: “And the sound of the cherubim’s wings was heard up to the outer courtyard . . .” (Eze 10:5). One might think then that the sound was a very low one! Scripture, however, continues “. . . as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaks!” Why then does Scripture state, “the sound . . . was heard up to the outer courtyard”? Because when it reached there it broke off (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 2 10-11).

Saying—God told Moses: Go and speak to them words that will bring them to a subdued frame of mind, namely: “It is for your sake that he communicates with me.” And indeed we find this was so; for all the thirty-eight years during which Israel in the wilderness were placed, as it were, under excommunication—from the time of the incident of the spies and onwards—there was no intimate conversation of God with Moses, for it is said (Deu 2:16-17), “So as soon as all the men of war had perished and were dead from among the people, the Lord said to me . . .”—only then was a divine communication again made to me (Sifra). Another explanation of לֵאמֹר is that God says to Moses: “Go and tell them my commands and bring me back word whether they will accept them,” as it is said (Exo 19:8), “and Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord” (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura d’Nedavah, Chapter 2 13).

Sanhedrin 101a:4

The mishna teaches: And among those who have no share in the world-to-come is one who whispers invocations over a wound. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: And that is the case only where he spits into the wound while he whispers, as one does not mention the name of heaven over spittle, and doing so is an act of contempt for God. It was stated that Rav says: Even the verse: “When a leprous mark is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest” (Lev 13:9), in which there is no mention of the name of God, may not be whispered as an invocation. Rabbi Ḥanina says: Even a verse that is unrelated to the specific illness in question, for example: “The Lord called Moses” (Lev 1:1), may not be whispered as an invocation.

Yoma 4b:11

The verse says: “The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from within the tent of meeting, saying” (Lev 1:1). Why does the verse mention calling before speaking, and God did not speak to him at the outset? The law is teaching etiquette: A person should not say anything to another unless he calls him first. This supports the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina, as Rabbi Ḥanina said: A person should not say anything to another unless he calls him first. With regard to the term concluding the verse: “Saying,” Rabbi Musya, grandson of Rabbi Masya, said in the name of Rabbi Musya the Great: From where is it derived with regard to one who tells another some matter, that it is incumbent upon the latter not to say it to others until the former explicitly says to him: Go and tell others? As it is stated: “And spoke to him from within the tent of meeting, saying [lemor].” Lemor is a contraction of lo emor, meaning: Do not say. One must be given permission before transmitting information.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. JOH 1:17

2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.”

Bava Kamma 40b:16

The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita that interprets the verse: “You shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock” (Lev 1:2). The phrase “of livestock” is mentioned to exclude an animal that engaged in bestiality and an animal that was the object of bestiality from eligibility to be brought as an offering. The phrase “from the herd” is mentioned to exclude an animal that had been worshiped as a god. “From the flock” is mentioned to exclude an animal that had been set aside for idol worship. The additional conjunction “or,” in the phrase “or from the flock” is mentioned to exclude an animal that gores a person, killing him.

Bekhorot 41a:15

They are derived from a verse, as the Sages taught in a baraita that when the verse states: “You shall bring your offering from livestock from the herd or from the flock” (Lev 1:2), each mention of the word “from” is interpreted as a term of exclusion. The expression “from livestock” serves to exclude an animal that copulated with a person and an animal that was the object of bestiality. The expression “from the herd” serves to exclude an animal worshiped as a deity, and “from the flock” serves to exclude an animal set aside for idol worship. Finally, the word “or” in the expression “or from the flock” serves to exclude an animal that gored and killed a person.

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

John Gill

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God—The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, proceeds to that which is more practical; and enforces the several duties of religion, upon the principles he had before laid down, a method generally observed by him in all his epistles. The illative particle “therefore,” shows that the following exhortations are so many conclusions, consequences, and inferences, deduced from what had been said in the latter part of the preceding chapter; that since all things are of God, and by him and to him, then the saints ought to present their bodies to him, and to know, approve, and do his will; and since they have nothing but what they have received from him, they ought not to think too highly of, or glory in their attainments. The introduction to these exhortations, is in a very kind and affectionate manner; the saints are addressed as “brothers,” and very appropriately; since this expresses the relation they stood in to the apostle, for whom he had an hearty love and concern; and therefore what he pressed them to was out of a sincere regard to their good, as well as to the glory of God; also their relation to each other, and which several of the duties he urges had a connection with; likewise their relation to God, being of his family, having one and the same Father, and so under obligation to regard his will, honour and reverence him: moreover, these things are moved, not in an imperious way, in an authoritative manner, but by way of entreaty, “I appeal to you”; as an ambassador of Christ, and as though in his stead: nor are they enforced by terrors, threats, and menaces, but “by the mercies of God”; that is, the abundant mercy of God, displayed in their election, regeneration, and calling; than which, nothing can have a greater influence on a believer, to engage him to holiness of life and conversation; and shows, that the doctrines of grace are no licentious ones, nor do they render useless precepts, exhortations, entreaties, cautions, and advice.

To present your bodies—Not barely that part of them commonly so called, for this is not to be understood of a mere presentation of the body in public worship: for though this ought to be, yet not without the heart engaged therein, otherwise bodily exercise will be of no avail; nor of a bare abstinence from grosser sins done in the body, and against it, and which defile and dishonour it; much less of a maceration, and keeping under the body, by watchings, fasting, &c. and still less of an offering of the body at death in a way of martyrdom, though this ought to be cheerfully complied with when called for: but by their bodies are meant, themselves, their whole souls and bodies, all the powers and faculties of their souls, and members of their bodies; and the presenting of them, designs a devoting of them, with all readiness and willingness, to the service of God for his honour and glory, without putting any confidence in, or placing any dependence upon them; which would be sacrificing to their own net, and burning incense to their drag; it includes the whole of their service, conversation, and religion, internal and external. So the Jews say,

“Worthy is the portion of the righteous, who offer every day this offering before the Lord; and what is it? ‘Their bodies and their souls,’ which they offer before him.”

The allusion is to the rite of sacrificing, to the bringing of the slain beast, and laying it on the altar, and there presenting and offering it to the Lord. Under the gospel dispensation all believers are priests; and the sacrifices they bring are not the bodies of slain beasts, but their own bodies, their whole selves.

A living sacrifice—In opposition to the bodies of slain beasts offered under the legal dispensation, and to the dead works of such as are destitute of faith in Christ, and to the lifeless performances of the saints themselves at certain times; and designs such a presentation of themselves in the performance of religious duties, as springs from a principle of life under the quickening influences of the Spirit of God, with faith and fervency; though without any view to obtain life hereby, for that is only by the offering up of the body of Christ once for all.

Holy—In allusion to the sacrifices under the law, which were separated from common use, and devoted to God, and were not to have the least spot and blemish in them; and regards men sanctified by the Spirit of God, and whose actions flow from a principle of holiness, and are performed under the influence of the Holy Spirit; and such sacrifices are both living and holy.

Acceptable to God—Through the mediation of his Son, by whom, as the persons, the souls and bodies of his people, so their spiritual sacrifices, whether of prayer or praise, are only acceptable to him.

Which is your spiritual worship—It is agreeably to reason, and especially as sanctified, that men who have their beings from God, and are upheld in them by him, and are followed with the bounties of Providence; and especially who are made new creatures, and are blessed by him with all spiritual blessings in Christ, that they should give up themselves to him, and cheerfully serve him in their day and generation; such service is also agreeably to the Scriptures of truth, the standard of filth and practice, and contain and enforce nothing but what is highly reasonable to be complied with; it is such service as lies not in the slaying of irrational creatures, but in the presenting of men endued with rational powers unto God; and is of a spiritual nature, performed by spiritual men, under the influence of the Spirit of God: and is suitable to the nature and perfections of God, and stands opposed to the corporeal and carnal service of the Jews.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ROM 12:1, 6

6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, EPH 1:6-7

We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. HEB 13:10

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1JN 2:2

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1JN 4:9-10

10 You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and sanctify the altar, so that the altar may become most holy.

Zevachim 87a:11

The mishna teaches: Just as the altar sanctifies items, so too, the ramp and the service vessels sanctify items. With regard to this halakha, the Sages taught: The verse states: “Whatever touches the altar shall become sacred” (Exo 29:37). From here I have derived only that the altar sanctifies items. From where is it derived that the ramp sanctifies items as well? The verse states: “You shall also anoint the altar [et hamizbe’aḥ]” (Exo 40:10), and the addition of the word et serves to include the ramp. With regard to service vessels, from where is it derived that they sanctify items? The verse states with regard to them: “Whatever touches them will become sacred” (Exo 30:29).

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” LUK 1:35

13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest.

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. JOH 3:34

John Gill

For he whom God has sent—Still meaning Christ, who was sent in human nature, in the likeness of sinful flesh, in the fulness of time; to be the Savior of the world, of that which was lost, of the chief of sinners; and to preach the glad tidings of the gospel, which is more especially here designed; and for which he was abundantly qualified by the Spirit of God, with which he was anointed.

Utters the words of God—The words which God gave unto him; the doctrines of grace; the word of truth; the word of faith; the word of righteousness; the word of reconciliation; the words of salvation and eternal life; the whole mind and will of God; and whatever he spoke were as true as the oracles of God.

For he he gives the Spirit without measure—As he did to the prophets of the Old Testament, and to the apostles of the New; and to the ordinary ministers of the word, who have gifts differing one from another; to one is given one gift of the Spirit; and to another, another gift, as the Spirit pleaseth; and to everyone is given grace, or gifts of grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph 4:7). To which agrees what the Jews say of the Holy Spirit, and his gifts.

“Says R. Joden bar R. Simeon, even the waters which descend from above are not given, but, ‘in measure’—Says R. Acha, even the Holy Spirit, which dwells upon the prophets, does not dwell, ‘in weight.’ ”

But the Lord Jesus has every gift of the Spirit, and the fulness of grace in him: he is anointed with the oil of gladness, with the Holy Spirit above his fellows; and has an immeasurable unction of the Holy One; which, like the precious oil poured on Aaron, descends from him to the members of his body.

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. JOH 17:19

10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? HEB 10:10, 29

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1JN 2:20, 27

16 This Moses did; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MAT 28:20

John Gill

Teaching them to observe all—All ordinances, not only baptism, but the Lord’s supper; all positive institutions, and moral duties; all obligations, both to God and men; all relative duties that respect the world, or one another, those that are without, and those that are within; and these are to be taught them, and therefore to be insisted on in the ministry of the word; and not merely in order that they may know them, and have the theory of them, but that the may put them into practice.

That I have commanded you—Every thing that Christ has commanded, be it what it will, and nothing else; for Christ’s ministers are not to teach for doctrines the commandments of men; or enjoin that on the churches, which is of their own, or other men’s devising, and was never ordered by Christ.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age—Meaning, not merely to the end of their lives, which would be the end of the age to them; nor to the end of the Jewish age, or state, which was not a great way off, though this is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but to the end of the age to come, the gospel church state, which now took place; or to the end of the present age, the universe: not that the apostles should live to the end of it; but that whereas Christ would have a church and people to the end of the age, and the gospel and the ordinances of it should be administered so long, and there should be gospel ministers till that time; Christ’s sense is, that he would grant his presence to them, his immediate disciples, and to all that should succeed them in future generations, to the end of time: and which is to be understood not of his corporeal presence, which they should not have till then, but of his spiritual presence; and that he would be with them, in a spiritual sense, to assist them in their work, to comfort them under all discouragements, to supply them with his grace, and to protect them from all enemies, and preserve from all evils; which is a great encouragement both to administer the word and ordinances, and attend on them.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1CO 4:2

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.

Rosh Hashanah 3a:12

And it is written: “After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon” (Deu 1:4). And it says: “And when the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb, heard” (Num 33:40). And it says: “And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, they wept for Aaron thirty days” (Num 20:29). And it says: “In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was established” (Exo 40:17).

22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil,

Rashi

On the north side of the tabernacle—In the north half of the width of the house (Yoma 33b).

Side—This must be understood as the Targum renders it: the side, like the thigh that is on a person’s side.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, EPH 3:8

26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil,

You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? MAT 23:19

I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me. JOH 11:42

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. HEB 7:25

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. HEB 10:1

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1JN 2:1

30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing,

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. HEB 10:22

The Glory of the Lord

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. REV 15:8

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, REV 21:3, 23-24

35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Rashi

Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting—But another verse says (Num 7:89), “And when Moses would enter the tent of meeting.” There comes, however, a third verse and reconciles these apparently contradictory verses, for it says here “because the cloud settled on it.” Hence you may say: so long as the cloud was on it “he was not able to enter,” but as soon as the cloud disappeared he would enter and spoke with him (Sifra, Braita d’Rabbi Yishmael 18).

Yoma 4b:9

Rabbi Zerika raised a contradiction between verses before Rabbi Elazar, and some say that Rabbi Zerika said that Rabbi Elazar raised a contradiction: It is written in one place: “And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud dwelt on it” (Exo 40:35), as Moses was unable to enter the cloud. And it is written elsewhere: “Moses entered the cloud” (Exo 24:18). This teaches that the Holy One, blessed be he, grabbed Moses and brought him into the cloud since he could not enter on his own.

22 He also made the robe of the ephod woven all of blue,

Zevachim 88b:2

With regard to the priestly vestments, the Sages taught in a baraita: The robe of the high priest was sewn entirely of sky-blue, as it is stated: “He also made the robe of the ephod woven all of sky-blue” (Exo 39:22). With regard to its hem, concerning which it states: “On the hem of the robe they made pomegranates of sky blue and purple and scarlet, twined” (Exo 39:24), how were they fashioned? The tailor brings sky-blue yarns, and purple yarns, and scarlet yarns, which are twined together, and fashions them to appear as pomegranates that have not opened their mouths, i.e., they are sewn in the appearance of pomegranates that are not yet ripe enough for the crown on top to open, and as the cones of the helmets that are found on the heads of children.

24 On the hem of the robe they made pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

Yoma 71b:10

The Gemara continues to explain the baraita. That the use of the term twined implies that the thread should be spun from eight strands, from where do we derive this? As it is written: “On the hem of the robe they made pomegranates of sky-blue and purple and scarlet, twined” (Exo 39:24); and derive a verbal analogy from the term “twined” used in this verse and the term “twined” from the verse about the curtain: Just as there, with regard to the curtain, there are twenty-four strands, as will be explained, so too here, there are twenty-four strands in total. And since each pomegranate is made of three colors, sky-blue, purple, and scarlet, it must be that each one of them was spun from eight strands.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GAL 5:22

26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate around the hem of the robe for ministering, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Sotah 9b:22

The verse continues: “To move him [lefa’amo] in Mahaneh Dan.” Rabbi Yitzḥak of the school of Rabbi Ami says: This teaches that the divine presence jangled before him, inspiring him, like a bell [zog], as it is written here: “To move him [lefa’amo] in Mahaneh Dan,” and it is written there with regard to the clothing of the high priest: “A bell [pa’amon] and a pomegranate” (Exo 39:26).

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, MAT 9:20

27 They also made the coats, woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons,

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ROM 3:22

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. ROM 13:14

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. GAL 3:27

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. PHP 2:6-8

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1PE 1:13

28 and the turban of fine linen, and the caps of fine linen, and the linen undergarments of fine twined linen,

Rashi

And the caps means the beauty of the caps—this is equivalent to: the caps.

30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engraving of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.”

Gittin 20b:1

Isn’t there a need to write it, as the verse states with regard to the frontplate: “Wrote on it an inscription, like the engraving of a signet” (Exo 39:30), and there is no writing here? The Gemara answers: It means that the frontplate was fashioned like the form of gold dinars but not entirely like the form of gold dinars. It was fashioned like the form of gold dinars in that the writing protrudes. But it was not fashioned like the form of gold dinars entirely, as there, in the case of gold dinars, the pressing of the stamp is done from the inside, by pushing back the surrounding area to allow the form to be visible, and here, when fashioning the frontplate, it was done from the outside, by applying pressure to the opposite side so that the letters were pushed outward. Since the letters were carved directly, it was considered to be inscription.

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1CO 1:30

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2CO 5:21

who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. TIT 2:14

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, HEB 1:3

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. HEB 7:26

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth. REV 5:10

32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the people of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did.

Rashi

The people of Israel did the work according to all that the Lord had commanded.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MAT 28:20

John Gill

Teaching them to observe all—All ordinances, not only baptism, but the Lord’s supper; all positive institutions, and moral duties; all obligations, both to God and men; all relative duties that respect the world, or one another, those that are without, and those that are within; and these are to be taught them, and therefore to be insisted on in the ministry of the word; and not merely in order that they may know them, and have the theory of them, but that the may put them into practice.

That I have commanded you—Every thing that Christ has commanded, be it what it will, and nothing else; for Christ’s ministers are not to teach for doctrines the commandments of men; or enjoin that on the churches, which is of their own, or other men’s devising, and was never ordered by Christ.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age—Meaning, not merely to the end of their lives, which would be the end of the age to them; nor to the end of the Jewish age, or state, which was not a great way off, though this is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but to the end of the age to come, the gospel church state, which now took place; or to the end of the present age, the universe: not that the apostles should live to the end of it; but that whereas Christ would have a church and people to the end of the age, and the gospel and the ordinances of it should be administered so long, and there should be gospel ministers till that time; Christ’s sense is, that he would grant his presence to them, his immediate disciples, and to all that should succeed them in future generations, to the end of time: and which is to be understood not of his corporeal presence, which they should not have till then, but of his spiritual presence; and that he would be with them, in a spiritual sense, to assist them in their work, to comfort them under all discouragements, to supply them with his grace, and to protect them from all enemies, and preserve from all evils; which is a great encouragement both to administer the word and ordinances, and attend on them.

who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. HEB 3:2

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” HEB 8:5

33 Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses, the tent and all its utensils, its hooks, its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases;

Rashi

Then they brought the tabernacle to Moses, for they were unable to erect it. Since Moses had done no work in the tabernacle, the Holy One, blessed is he, left for him the task of erecting it, for nobody was able to set it up because of the weight of the frames which no human strength was capable of setting up. Moses, however, succeeded in placing it in position. Moses said to the Holy One, blessed be he, “How is its erection possible by human beings?” God answered him: “You be busy with your hand!” He appeared to be erecting it, but in fact it set itself up and rose of its own accord. That is why Scripture says (Exo 40:17), “the tabernacle was erected”—was erected by itself. This is a Midrash of Rabbi Tanchuma 2:11:11.

35 the ark of the testimony with its poles and the mercy seat;

5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing HEB 9:5, 8

37 the lampstand of pure gold and its lamps with the lamps set and all its utensils, and the oil for the light;

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. MAT 5:14-16

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, PHP 2:15

42 According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2TI 2:15

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2TI 4:7

43 And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.

Rashi

Then Moses blessed them—He said to them “May it be the will of God that his glory rest upon the work of your hands; ‘let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us’ ” (Psa 90:17) (Sifra, Shemini, Mechilta d’Miluim 2 15). This is part of one of the eleven psalms in “A prayer of Moses” (Psa 90:1) (Bamidbar Rabbah 12:9).

8 He made the breastpiece, in skilled work, in the style of the ephod, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, EPH 6:14

John Gill

Stand therefore—Keep your ground, do not desert the army, the church of Christ, nor his cause; continue in the station in which you are placed, keep your post, be upon your watch, stand upon your guard.

Having fastened on the belt of truth—By which is meant the gospel, and the several doctrines of it; see (Eph 1:13; 4:15); and to have the loins girt with it, shows, that it should be near and close to the saints, and never departed from; and that it is a means of keeping them close to God and Christ, and of strengthening them against the assaults and attacks of Satan; and is of great use in the Christians’ spiritual conflict with their enemies; the girdle is a part of armour, and so considerable as sometimes to be put for the whole (Isa 5:27); and here it is mentioned in the first place.

And having put on the breastplate of righteousness—In allusion to (Isa 59:17), meaning not works of righteousness done by men, though these are a fence when rightly used against the reproaches and charges of the enemy, as they were by Samuel (1Sa 12:3), but rather the graces of faith and love (1Th 5:8), though faith has another place in the Christian armour, afterwards mentioned; wherefore it seems best to understand this of the righteousness of Christ, which being imputed by God, and received by faith, is a guard against, and repels the accusations and charges of Satan, and is a security from all wrath and condemnation.

10 And they set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle was the first row;

19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,

John Gill

The foundations of the wall of the city—Which were twelve; see (Rev 21:14) were garnished with all manner of precious stones: see (Isa 54:11-12) not that there were all manner of precious stones in every foundation, but in them all there were, and each foundation had its stone peculiar to it, as follows; and which are not applicable to the persons of the apostles, who were not the foundations, but on them their names only were written: and besides, the order of them, as given in the Evangelists and Acts of the Apostles, is not certain, and always the same, to which these several stories may be adjusted; though they are doubtless comparable to them for their preciousness in the sight of God, and Christ, and all the saints; and for the brightness and purity of their doctrine and lives; and for their zeal in the cause of Christ; and for their solidity, and invincible courage and constancy: much less are these precious stones applicable to a set of ministers in the latter day, who are to be useful in the conversion of the Jews in the several parts of the world, where these stones are found, as Brightman thinks, but to Jesus Christ, the one and only foundation: and without entering into the particular virtues and excellencies of these stones, in general, they set forth the worth and preciousness of Christ, who is the pearl of great price; the pleasure and delight had in viewing his excellencies and perfections; his brightness, purity, and glory, and his firmness and durableness, as a foundation. There may be some allusion to the twelve stones in the breastplate of the high priest, on which the names of the tribes of Israel were written.

The first was jasper—It was laid with a jasper stone, of which see (Rev 4:3). On this stone, in the breastplate, Benjamin’s name was written.

The second sapphire—Its colour is azure, or sky blue; it is transparent, and exceeding hard. Schroder says there are very good ones found in the borders of Bohemia and Silesia; but those which are brought from Pegu are most valuable: on this stone Issachar’s name was engraven.

The third chalcedony—It is of a misty grey colour, clouded with blue, yellow, or purple; the best is that which has a pale cast of blue; it is very much like the common agate; and the Hebrew word “cadcod,” is rendered agate in (Isa 54:12) though it is thought to answer to the carbuncle in the breastplate, on which was written the name of Levi. And Pliny speaks of carbuncles, called “charcedonies,” which R. Leo Mutinensis says had their name in memory of the city of Carthagena. There is a precious stone mentioned in the Targum of Jonathan, called “cadcodin,” which answers to the diamond in the breastplate, on which Zebulun’s name was written; and in the Jerusalem Targum it is called “cadcedana,” and answers to the emerald, which had Judah’s name on it, and seems to be put for “chalcodin” and “chalcedana,” which agrees with the name of this stone.

The fourth emerald—Of which see (Rev 4:3). The best of this sort are the eastern ones. Schroder says they are found in Cyprus, Britain, and other places, but not so good as the rest. On this stone Judah’s name was written.

20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

John Gill

The fifth onyx—Which is partly of the sardian, and partly of the onyx stone, which resembles a man’s nail, from whence it has its name; it is reddish, bordering on white; it may be thought to answer to the onyx in the breastplate, on which was written the name of Joseph.

The sixth sardius—The same with the sardine stone (Rev 4:3), of a blood colour, and what is commonly called a carnelian: it is found in Sardinia, from whence it has its name, and in Bohemia and Silesia, though those of Babylon are the best. This was Reuben’s stone.

The seventh chrysolite—A stone of a dusky green colour, with a cast of yellow; by its name it should have the colour of gold. Schroder says it is found in Bohemia, and that it is the same the moderns call the topaz. Some think it answers to “tarshish” in the breastplate, rendered “beryl,” on which was the name of Asher.

The eighth beryl—A stone of a pale green colour, thought to be the diamond of the ancients: it may answer to the “ligure” in the breastplate, which the Targum on (Son 5:14) calls “birla,” and had the name of Dan on it.

The ninth topaz—A stone very hard and transparent, of a beautiful yellow, or gold colour: the topaz of Ethiopia was counted the best (Job 28:19). Some say it is so called from the island “Topazus”; on this stone Simeon’s name was engraven.

The tenth chrysoprase—A stone of a green colour, inclining to that of gold, from whence it has its name; for this is the agate in the breastplate, which was Naphtali’s stone.

The eleventh jacinth—Or “hyacinth”: a stone of a purple, or violet colour, from whence it has its name; though what the moderns so call is of a deep reddish yellow, pretty near a flame colour. Zebulun’s stone was the diamond.

The twelfth amethyst—A stone of a violet colour, bordering on purple: it has been thought a preservative from drunkenness, from whence it seems to have its name. On this stone was written the name of Gad. Agreeably to this account of John’s, the Jews speak of the tabernacle above being built on twelve precious stones; and sometimes they say, that the holy blessed God will found Jerusalem with ten kind of precious stones, and which they mention, and several of which are the same with these.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. REV 21:19-21

John Gill

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls—Denoting the purity and preciousness of Christ, by whom the saints enter, and of the saints who enter in thereat, as well as of the place into which they enter.

Each of the gates made of a single pearl—The pearl of great price, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only gate, door, and way into this happy state: this shows that this account cannot be taken literally, but mystically, for no such pearl was ever known, large enough to make a gate of.

“A pearl is a hard, white, shining body, usually roundish, found in a shell fish resembling an oyster, but is three or four times the size of the common oyster; and which ordinarily yields ten or twelve pearls, and sometimes more. Those of the largest size that have been known are that of Cleopatra, valued by Pliny at centies H S, or at 80,000 pound sterling; and that brought in 1574 to Philip the Second, of the size of a pigeon’s egg, worth 14,400 ducats; and that of the Emperor Rudolph, mentioned by Boetius, called “la peregrina,” or the incomparable, of the size of a muscade pear, and weighing 30 carats; and that mentioned by Tavernier, in the hands of the emperor of Persia in 1633, bought of an Arab for 32,000 tomans, which, at three pounds nine shillings the toman, amounts to 110,400 pounds sterling.”

But what is one of these pearls to make a gate of, for a wall which was an hundred and forty four cubits high? (Rev 21:17). The Jews say, that the holy blessed God will bring precious stones and “pearls” of thirty cubits by thirty and place them “in the gates of Jerusalem,” as it is said (Isa 54:12) which must be understood also not in a literal but mystical sense: and L’Empereur makes mention of an ancient commentary on (Psa 87:1) which says, that the holy blessed God will make a gate at the east (of the temple), and in it two doors, each of one pearl. So R. Joshua ben Levi says, that there are in paradise two gates of agates or diamonds; some render the word rubies.

And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass—Denoting the preciousness and delightfulness of the saints’ conversation one with another; and the purity and cleanness of it, there being no mire and filth of sin in these streets; and the sincerity and openness of it, each one walking in his uprightness; which will be seen and known of all, as clearly as anything can be beheld in a transparent glass. So the Jews say of paradise, that the ground is paved with precious stones, the lustre of which may be compared to the light of burning torches.

15 And they made on the breastpiece twisted chains like cords, of pure gold.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. JOH 10:28

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. JOH 17:12

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1PE 1:5

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: JUD 1:1

21 And they bound the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it should lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece should not come loose from the ephod, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” MAT 16:24

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 1CO 1:25, 27

EXO 38

28 And of the 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the pillars and overlaid their capitals and made fillets for them.

Rashi

And overlaid their capitals—The tops of the pillars with them (the 1775 shekels of silver), for it is said with regard of all of them (v. 19) “And overlaid their capitals, and their fillets of silver.”

Bekhorot 5a:15

If we say that it is derived from the verse itself that Kontrokos mentioned (Exo 38:27), then the derivation would be as follows: In addition to the one hundred talents, additional silver coins are mentioned here that equal seventy-one maneh, as it is stated: “And of the 1,775 shekels he made hooks for the pillars” (Exo 38:28), which is equal to one talent, or sixty maneh, plus an additional eleven maneh, and the verse counted them only using the value of small coins, i.e., shekels, and not in talents. And if it is so that a maneh of the sanctuary was of equal value to a common maneh, then the verse should have expressed this value using larger coins, writing: 101 talents and eleven maneh.

29 The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels;

Bekhorot 5a:18

Rather, the principle that a maneh of the sanctuary is double the value of a common maneh is derived from here: “The bronze that was offered was seventy talents and 2,400 shekels” (Exo 38:29). The Gemara explains: Aside from the seventy talents mentioned, there are an additional ninety-six maneh here, which is equivalent to one talent and an additional thirty-six maneh, and the verse counts them only using the value of small coins. Learn from it that a maneh of the sanctuary was double the amount of a standard maneh, and that is why the number of shekels mentioned did not equal a full talent.

EXO 39

Making the Priestly Garments

1 From the blue and purple and scarlet yarns they made finely woven garments, for ministering in the Holy Place. They made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Rashi

From the blue and purple . . .—But there is no mention of linen here. From this fact I derive that these were not identical with the garments of the priests, for there was linen in the garments of the priests. But these were the cloths with which they covered up the holy vessels at the time of removing and packing up the articles in the tabernacle when they set out on their journeyings which indeed had no linen in them.

12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

John Gill

He entered once for all into the holy places, . . . but by means of his own blood—Which shows the truth of his human nature, and the virtue of its blood, as in union with his divine person; by which he opened the way into the holiest of all, as the surety of his people, and gives them boldness and liberty to follow him there; he carried his blood not in a basin, as the high priest carried the blood of goats and calves, but in his veins; and by it, having been shed by him, he entered not into the Holy Place made with hands, but into heaven itself; and that not every year, as the high priest, but “once” for all, having done his work.

Not by means of the blood of goats and calves—With which the high priest entered into the Holy Place, within the vail, on the Day of Atonement, (Lev 16:14-15) for Christ was not an high priest of the order of Aaron, nor could the blood of these creatures take away sin, nor would God accept of such sacrifices any longer.

Thus securing an eternal redemption—For us, from sin, Satan, the law, and death, to which his people were in bondage, and which he obtained by paying a ransom price for them; which was not corruptible things, as silver and gold but his precious, blood: in the original text it is, “having found eternal redemption”; there seems to be an allusion to (Job 33:24). This was what was sought for long ago by the, Old Testament saints, who were wishing, waiting, and longing for this salvation; it is a thing very precious and difficult to find; it is to be had nowhere but in Christ, and when found in him, is matter of great joy to sensible sinners; God found it in him, and found him to be a proper person to effect it; and Christ has found it by being the author of it: this is called an eternal redemption, because it extends to the saints in all ages; backwards and forwards; it includes eternal life and happiness; and such as are sharers in it shall never perish, but shall be saved with an everlasting salvation; it is so called in opposition to the carnal expiations of the high priests, and in distinction from temporal redemptions, deliverances, and salvations. Remarkable is the paraphrase of Jonathan ben Uzziel on (Gen 49:18).

“Jacob said, when he saw Gideon the son of Joash, and Samson the son of Manoah, who should be redeemers; not for the redemption of Gideon am I waiting, nor for the redemption of Samson am I looking, for their redemption is a temporal redemption; but for your redemption am I waiting and looking, O Lord, because your redemption is ‘an everlasting redemption’:”

another copy reads, for the redemption of Messiah the son of David; and to the same purpose is the Jerusalem paraphrase on the place.

25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, HEB 9:12, 25

John Gill

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly—Or at all again; which shows the perfection of his sacrifice, for justice was satisfied, the law fulfilled, sin done away, and complete salvation obtained at once; which lies against the errors of the Socinians, who say he offers himself now in heaven; and of the Papists, who pretend to offer the body of Christ daily in their mass.

As the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own—Not his own, nor other men’s, but the blood of goats and calves; but Christ entered into heaven with his own blood, he having been altar, priest, and sacrifice: the high priest went into the most holy places every year, but Christ has entered into heaven once for all, where he sits down and continues, having done his work effectually.

3 And they hammered out gold leaf, and he cut it into threads to work into the blue and purple and the scarlet yarns, and into the fine twined linen, in skilled design.

Yoma 72a:6

But couldn’t one say the gold should be made as a thread of six strands, like the other colors? Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said that the verse states: “And they hammered out gold leaf, and he cut it into cords to work into the sky-blue and purple and the scarlet yarns, and into the fine twined linen, the work of a skilled craftsman” (Exo 39:3). “Cord” implies a strand that is doubled over and can be twisted into a cord; “cords” is in the plural, meaning at least two of these. Accordingly, there are four strands here.

Yoma 72a:7

Rav Ashi said: This can be seen from that fact that the verse states with regard to the gold strands: “To work into the sky-blue and purple” (Exo 39:3), indicating that the gold strands should be combined with the other colors. What should we do? If we make four gold threads of two strands each and combine each one with each of the colors, then there would be eight. If we make two gold threads of two strands each, and two gold threads of one strand each, it says: “And you shall make,” indicating that all its makings should be the same. Perforce, one strand of gold should be combined with each of the colors, producing a total of twenty-eight strands.

5 And the skillfully woven band on it was of one piece with it and made like it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MAT 28:20

John Gill

Teaching them to observe all—All ordinances, not only baptism, but the Lord’s supper; all positive institutions, and moral duties; all obligations, both to God and men; all relative duties that respect the world, or one another, those that are without, and those that are within; and these are to be taught them, and therefore to be insisted on in the ministry of the word; and not merely in order that they may know them, and have the theory of them, but that the may put them into practice.

That I have commanded you—Every thing that Christ has commanded, be it what it will, and nothing else; for Christ’s ministers are not to teach for doctrines the commandments of men; or enjoin that on the churches, which is of their own, or other men’s devising, and was never ordered by Christ.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age—Meaning, not merely to the end of their lives, which would be the end of the age to them; nor to the end of the Jewish age, or state, which was not a great way off, though this is sometimes the sense of this phrase; but to the end of the age to come, the gospel church state, which now took place; or to the end of the present age, the universe: not that the apostles should live to the end of it; but that whereas Christ would have a church and people to the end of the age, and the gospel and the ordinances of it should be administered so long, and there should be gospel ministers till that time; Christ’s sense is, that he would grant his presence to them, his immediate disciples, and to all that should succeed them in future generations, to the end of time: and which is to be understood not of his corporeal presence, which they should not have till then, but of his spiritual presence; and that he would be with them, in a spiritual sense, to assist them in their work, to comfort them under all discouragements, to supply them with his grace, and to protect them from all enemies, and preserve from all evils; which is a great encouragement both to administer the word and ordinances, and attend on them.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 1CO 11:23

John Gill

For I received from the Lord—The apostle observes to them the rule, use, and end of the Lord’s supper; his view in it is, to correct the disorders among them, and to bring them to a strict regard to the rule which had such a divine authority stamped upon it; and to observe to them, that in that supper all equally ate and drank; and that the end of it was not a paschal commemoration, but a remembrance of Christ, and a declaration of his sufferings and death. The divine authority of the Lord’s supper is here expressed; it was not only instituted by him as Lord, having all power and authority in and over his churches, to appoint what ordinances he pleases; but the plan and form of administration of it were received from him by the apostle. This was not a device of his, nor an invention of any man’s, nor did he receive the account from men, no not from the apostles; but he had it by revelation from Christ, either when he appeared to him at his first conversion, and made him a minister of the gospel; or when he was caught up into the third heaven, and heard things unspeakable and unutterable.

What I also delivered to you—For whatever he received from Christ, whether a doctrine or an ordinance, he faithfully delivered to the churches, from whom he kept back nothing that was profitable, but declared the whole counsel of God to them: now this he refers the Corinthians to, as a sure rule to go by, and from which they should never swerve; and whatever stands on divine record as received from Christ, and delivered by his apostles, should be the rule of our faith and practice, and such only.

That the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed—Or delivered; as he was by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God the Father, and as he was by himself, who voluntarily gave himself up into the hands of men, justice and death, for our offences; and so the Arabic version reads it here, “in the night when he delivered up himself”; as he did in the garden to Judas and his company: it was in the night when he came in search of him with officers, and a band of soldiers, and when he betrayed him and delivered him into their hands; and that same night, a little before, our Lord instituted and celebrated the ordinance of the supper with his disciples. The time is mentioned partly with regard to the Passover it followed, which was killed in the evening and ate the same night in commemoration of God’s sparing the firstborn of Israel, when at midnight he destroyed all the firstborn of Egypt, and so was a night to be observed in all generations; and because this feast was to be a supper, and therefore it is best to observe it in the evening, or decline of the day. The circumstance of Judas’ betraying him is mentioned, not only because it was in the night, and a work of darkness; but being in the same night he instituted the supper, shows the knowledge he had of his death by the means of the betrayer, and his great love to his disciples, his church and people, in appointing such an ordinance in remembrance of him, and his death, when he was just about to leave them.

Took bread—From off the table, out of the dish, or from the hands of the master of the house; an emblem of his body, and of his assumption of human nature; of his taking upon him the nature of the seed of Abraham, of that body which his Father prepared for him, in order to its being broken; or that he might in it endure sufferings and death for his people.

and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. REV 1:13

EXO 37

16 And he made the vessels of pure gold that were to be on the table, its plates and dishes for incense, and its bowls and flagons with which to pour drink offerings.

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 2TI 2:20

Making the Lampstand

17 He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it.

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. MAT 5:15

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, PHP 2:15

For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. HEB 9:2

22 Their calyxes and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole of it was a single piece of hammered work of pure gold.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1CO 9:27

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. COL 3:5

23 And he made its seven lamps and its tongs and its trays of pure gold.

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. REV 1:12, 20

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: “The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” REV 2:1

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, REV 4:5

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” REV 5:5

Making the Altar of Incense

25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit, and its breadth was a cubit. It was square, and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.

You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? MAT 23:19

9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. LUK 1:9-10

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. HEB 7:25

We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. HEB 13:10

you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1PE 2:5

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,

4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. REV 8:3-4

29 He made the holy anointing oil also, and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer.

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. JOH 3:34

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,

22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2CO 1:21-22

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. HEB 5:7

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1JN 2:20, 27

EXO 38

Making the Altar of Burnt Offering

1 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. Five cubits was its length, and five cubits its breadth. It was square, and three cubits was its height.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. JOH 6:37

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ROM 8:3-4

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ROM 12:1

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, HEB 3:1

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. HEB 9:14

The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. REV 21:16

4 And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down.

Zevachim 62a:12

The Gemara asks: But isn’t it written: “And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down” (Exo 38:4), which indicates that the ledge was on the side of the altar and not on top of it? The Gemara answers: Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: There were two entities called ledge. One was a slight protrusion above the midway point of the altar for aesthetic purposes, and one was an indentation on top of the altar for the benefit of the priests, to ensure that they would not slip off the top of the altar.

7 And he put the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar to carry it with them. He made it hollow, with boards.

Rashi

Hollow, with boards—Signifies hollow, similar to, “and its thickness was four fingers, and it was hollow” (Jer 52:21).

Hollow, with boards—The boards of acacia wood were placed on all sides, and the hollow space was in the middle.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” ACT 9:15

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1CO 1:24

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1CO 2:2

Making the Bronze Basin

8 He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” JOH 13:10

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, TIT 3:5

but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. HEB 9:10

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 1JN 3:7

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood REV 1:5

12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their ten pillars, and their ten bases; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.

Zevachim 59b:10

Rabbi Yosei said back to him: But isn’t it already stated: “And the hangings of the court and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar” (Num 4:26)? This verse juxtaposes the tabernacle with the altar to teach that just as the tabernacle was ten cubits high, so too, the altar was ten cubits high. And another verse states: “The hangings were fifteen”

14 The hangings for one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.

Zevachim 60a:1

“Cubits for one side” (Exo 38:14), which indicates that the height of the hangings surrounding the courtyard of the tabernacle was fifteen cubits. And what is the meaning when the verse states: “And the height five cubits” (Exo 27:18)? It is referring to the height of the hangings from the upper edge of the altar and above; the hangings surrounding the courtyard were five cubits higher than the altar.

26 a beka a head (that is, half a shekel, by the shekel of the sanctuary), for everyone who was listed in the records, from twenty years old and upward, for 603,550 men.

Bekhorot 5a:10

Additionally, Kontrokos asked Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai: With regard to the collection of silver by Moses for the tabernacle, you find that the total amount is 201 talents and eleven maneh, as it is written that they amassed: “A beka a head (that is, half a shekel, of the shekel of the sanctuary) . . . for 603,550 men” (Exo 38:26), which totals 301,775 shekels. This sum equals 201 talents and eleven maneh, as each talent contains 1,500 shekels, or sixty maneh, and each maneh contains twenty-five shekels.

27 The hundred talents of silver were for casting the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil; a hundred bases for the hundred talents, a talent a base.

Bekhorot 5a:11

But with regard to the giving of the silver to the tabernacle you find only one hundred talents, as it is written: “The hundred talents of silver were for casting” (Exo 38:27). Now, was Moses your teacher a thief, or was he a gambler, or was he not expert in accounting? He gave half of the money for the tabernacle and took half for himself, and he did not return even a complete half to the tabernacle.

EXO 35

Construction of the Tabernacle

30 Then Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;”

Berakhot 55a:11

With regard to Bezalel’s appointment, Rabbi Yitzḥak said: One may only appoint a leader over a community if he consults with the community and they agree to the appointment, as it is stated: “Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah’ ” (Exo 35:30). The Lord said to Moses: Moses, is Bezalel a suitable appointment in your eyes? Moses said to Him: Master of the universe, if he is a suitable appointment in your eyes, then all the more so in my eyes. The Holy One, blessed be he, said to him: Nevertheless, go and tell Israel and ask their opinion. Moses went and said to Israel: Is Bezalel suitable in your eyes? They said to him: If he is suitable in the eyes of the Holy One, blessed be he, and in your eyes, all the more so he is suitable in our eyes.

Rashi

Hur was the son the Miriam (Sotah 11b; cf. Rashi on Exo 24:14).

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 1CO 3:10

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 1CO 12:4, 11

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. JAS 1:17

EXO 36

1 Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. MAT 28:20

And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. LUK 1:6

a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. HEB 8:2

4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing,

Sanhedrin 69b:18

The Gemara asks: Rather, from where do we derive that in earlier generations men fathered children at the age of eight? From here, as it is written: “Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses” (Exo 38:22). And it is written: “When Azubah died, Caleb took for himself Ephrath, who bore him Hur. Hur fathered Uri, and Uri fathered Bezalel (1Ch 2:19–20). And when Bezalel made the tabernacle how old was he? He must have been at least thirteen years old, as it is written: “So that all the craftsmen who carried out every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he did” (Exo 36:4), and one who is less than thirteen is not called a man. And it is taught in a baraita: In the first year following the exodus from Egypt Moses made the tabernacle; in the second year he erected the tabernacle and sent out the spies.

Shabbat 96b:13

The Gemara asks: And perhaps they were not in a straight line but staggered. That would enable the weavers to sit adjacent to each other without disturbing each other’s task. And furthermore, did they borrow from each another? Wasn’t the following taught in a baraita of the Sage Luda? The verse states: “So that all the craftsmen who performed every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each one from the task he was doing” (Exo 36:4). From that verse it is derived: Each performed the labor from his own task, and they would not perform the labor from their friends’ task. Each person had his own tools and did not need to borrow from others.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? MAT 24:45

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?” LUK 12:42

5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing very much, more than is enough for the work of the articles which the Lord had commanded to do.”

Rashi

More than is enough for the work means more than is sufficient for the needs of the work.

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 2CO 8:2-3

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. PHP 2:21

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. PHP 4:17-18

6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing,

Rosh Hashanah 34a:17

As for the concern that one might think the verse means: You shall merely carry the trumpet by hand and not sound it, you cannot in any event say that, as that tanna derives by verbal analogy between the root avara used here and the same root avara that is found with regard to Moses. It is written here: “Then you shall make proclamation [veha’avarta] with the blast of the trumpet,” and it is written elsewhere: “So So Moses gave command, and they caused to be proclaimed [vaya’aviru] throughout the camp” (Exo 36:6). Just as there, with regard to Moses, they proclaimed with a sound, so too here, the proclamation must be with a sound.

Shabbat 96b:1

GEMARA: With regard to the main issue, the Gemara asks: After all, throwing is a subcategory of carrying out. Where is the primary category of prohibited labor of carrying out itself written in the law? Isn’t it necessary to clarify the primary category before discussing the subcategory? Rabbi Yoḥanan said: As the verse said: “So Moses gave command, and they passed a proclamation throughout the camp, ‘No man or woman should perform any more work to contribute to the sanctuary.’ So the people were restrained from bringing” (Exo 36:6). According to Rabbi Yoḥanan, Moses commanded the people to cease bringing contributions in order to prevent them from bringing their contributions on the Sabbath. He then explains: Where was Moses sitting? He was in the camp of the Levites, and the Levites’ camp was the public domain. And he said to Israel: Do not carry out and bring objects from the private domain, your camp, to the public domain, the camp of the Levites.

7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Rashi

For the material they had was sufficient to do all the work—And the work of contributing was sufficient for all workers at the tabernacle, to do all the work connected with the tabernacle to make it and more.

And more—Heb. וְהוֹתֵר, like “and he hardened (וְהַכְבֵּד) his heart” (Exo 8:11); “striking (וְהַכּוֹת) the Moabites” (2KI 3:24).

Shabbat 49b:9

Rav Yosef said to Abaye: I cannot reach a conclusion relying solely on a count because there is another instance of the term labor, whose meaning is not clear to me. The reason I am uncertain is because it is written with regard to the tabernacle: “For the labor they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more” (Exo 36:7). The question arises whether or not this mention of labor is included in the count of thirty-nine instances, i.e., whether or not it refers to actual labor. And if it does, that verse with regard to Joseph should be understood in accordance with the opinion of the one who said that the expression, to do his labor, is a euphemism. It means that it was to attend to his needs and engage in relations with Potiphar’s wife that he entered.

Shabbat 96b:2

The Gemara asks: And how do you know that he was standing and commanding the people on the Sabbath? Perhaps he was standing during the week, and Moses commanded the cessation of contributions because the labor of the tabernacle was completed, since all the necessary material was already donated, as it is written: “For the material they had was sufficient for them to perform all the work, and there was extra” (Exo 36:7). Rather, derive this by means of a verbal analogy between passing mentioned in this context and passing mentioned with regard to the Day of Atonement.

13 And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to the other with clasps. So the tabernacle was a single whole.

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 1CO 12:20

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. EPH 2:20-22

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1PE 2:4-5

35 He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. MAT 27:51

by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, HEB 10:20

EXO 37

Making the Ark

1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half was its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.

Rashi

Bezalel made—Because he gave himself over to the work more than the other wise men it is called after his name. His name alone is associated with the act (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayakhel 10).

Making the Table

10 He also made the table of acacia wood. Two cubits was its length, a cubit its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. JOH 1:14, 16

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. COL 1:27