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Commentary on Exodus 39 verses 32–43
32 ¶ Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.
33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,
34 And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
35 The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
36 The table, and all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread,
37 The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,
38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
39 The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
40 The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,
41 The cloths of service to do service in the holy place, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons' garments, to minister in the priest's office.
42 According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.
43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
Observe here, I. The builders of the tabernacle made very good despatch. It was not much more than five months from the beginning to the finishing of it. Though there was a great deal of fine work about it, such as is usually the work of time, embroidering and engraving, not only in gold, but in precious stones, yet they went through with it in a little time. Church-work is usually slow work, but they made quick work of this, and yet did it with the greatest exactness imaginable. For, 1. Many hands were employed, all unanimous, and not striving with each other. This expedited the business, and made it easy. 2. The workmen were taught of God, and so were kept from making blunders, which would have retarded them. 3. The people were hearty and zealous in the work, and impatient till it was finished. God had prepared their hearts, and then the thing was done suddenly, Ch2 29:36. Resolution and industry, and a cheerful application of mind, will, by the grace of God, bring a great deal of good work to pass in a little time, in less than one would expect.
II. They punctually observed their orders, and did not in the least vary from them. They did it according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, Exo 39:32, Exo 39:42. Note, God's work must be done, in every thing, according to his own will. His institutions neither need nor admit men's inventions to make them either more beautiful or more likely to answer the intention of them. Add thou not unto his words. God is pleased with willing worship, but not with will-worship.
III. They brought all their work to Moses, and submitted it to his inspection and censure, Exo 39:33. He knew what he had ordered them to make; and now the particulars were called over, and all produced, that Moses might see both that they had made all, omitting nothing, and that they had made all according to the instructions given them, and that, if they had made a mistake in any thing, it might be forthwith rectified. Thus they showed respect to Moses, who was set over them in the Lord; not objecting that Moses did not understand such work, and therefore that there was no reason for submitting it to his judgment. No, that God who gave them so much knowledge as to do the work gave them also so much humility as to be willing to have it examined and compared with the model. Moses was in authority, and they would pay a deference to his place. The spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets. And besides, though they knew how to do the work better than Moses, Moses had a better and more exact idea of the model than they had, and therefore they could not be well pleased with their own work, unless they had his approbation. Thus in all the services of religion we should labour to be accepted of the Lord.
IV. Moses, upon search, found all done according to the rule, Exo 39:43. Moses, both for their satisfaction and for his own, did look upon all the work, piece by piece, and behold they had done it according to the pattern shown him, for the same Being that showed him the pattern guided their hand in the work. All the copies of God's grace exactly agree with the original of his counsels: what God works in us, and by us, is the fulfilling of the good pleasure of his own goodness; and when the mystery of God shall be finished, and all his performances come to be compared with his purposes, it will appear that behold all is done according to the counsel of his own will, not one iota or tittle of which shall fall to the ground, or be varied from.
V. Moses blessed them. 1. He commended them, and signified his approbation of all they had done. He did not find fault where there was none, as some do, who think they disparage their own judgment if they do not find something amiss in the best and most accomplished performance. In all this work it is probable there might have been found here and there a stitch amiss, and a stroke awry, which would have served for an over-curious and censorious critic to animadvert upon; but Moses was too candid to notice small faults where there were no great ones. Note, All governors must be a praise to those that do well, as well as a terror to evil-doers. Why should any take a pride in being hard to be pleased? 2. He not only praised them, but prayed for them. He blessed them as one having authority, for the less is blessed of the better. We read not of any wages that Moses paid them for their work, but this blessing he gave them. For, though ordinarily the labourer be worthy of his hire, yet in this case, 1. They wrought for themselves. The honour and comfort of God's tabernacle among them would be recompence enough. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself. 2. They had their meat from heaven on free-cost, for themselves and their families, and their raiment waxed not old upon them; so that they neither needed wages nor had reason to expect any. Freely you have received, freely give. The obligations we lie under, both in duty and interest, to serve God, should be sufficient to quicken us to our work, though we had not a reward in prospect. But, 3. This blessing, in the name of the Lord, was wages enough for all their work. Those whom God employs he will bless, and those whom he blesses are blessed indeed. The blessing he commands is life for evermore.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 32–43. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 39:35 stands as a precise inventory entry within the meticulous account of the Tabernacle's completion, signifying the successful fabrication of its most sacred components: the Ark of the Testimony, its carrying staves, and the Mercy Seat. This verse underscores the faithful execution of God's intricate blueprint by the skilled craftsmen, marking a crucial step towards the establishment of God's dwelling presence among His people and the nation's readiness to host the Almighty. It highlights the heart of Israel's worship and the focal point of divine-human encounter.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Exodus 39:35 is strategically positioned within the concluding section of the book of Exodus (chapters 35-40), which meticulously details the actual construction and erection of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, thereby fulfilling the comprehensive divine commands given earlier in Exodus 25 through Exodus 31. Chapter 39 specifically recounts the completion of the priestly garments and the final assembly of the sacred articles. Verses 32-34 precede this verse, describing the bringing of all the finished work of the Tabernacle to Moses, with a significant emphasis that the Israelites had "done according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses." Following this verse, Exodus 39:36-43 continues the comprehensive list of completed items, from the table of showbread to the altars and the courtyard hangings, culminating in Moses' thorough inspection and blessing of the people for their unwavering obedience. This meticulous recounting serves as a divine audit, confirming that every intricate detail of God's instructions was faithfully executed, underscoring the paramount importance of precise obedience in matters of worship and holiness.
Historical & Cultural Context: The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's formative wilderness journey, a pivotal period following their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage and the solemn establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. God's command to build a portable sanctuary, as detailed in Exodus 25-31, was a direct and gracious response to His profound desire to "dwell among them" (Exodus 29:45). The Tabernacle, therefore, transcended being merely a building; it was a tangible, mobile symbol of God's covenant presence, His guiding hand, and His protective care in the midst of a nomadic people. The Ark of the Testimony and the Mercy Seat, as the most sacred elements housed within the Tabernacle's Most Holy Place, represented the very throne of God and the designated place of atonement, serving as the physical nexus between the holy God and His redeemed, yet inherently sinful, people. The exhaustive instructions and their faithful execution reflect the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine temples as microcosms of the heavenly realm, where the deity's presence was manifested, and where precise rituals were deemed essential for maintaining cosmic order and securing divine favor.
Key Themes: This verse, by highlighting the completion of the Ark and Mercy Seat, contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Exodus. Foremost is the theme of God's Presence and Dwelling among His people, a central motif from Exodus 25:8 onward, where the Tabernacle is explicitly designed as a place for God to reside. The Ark, being God's "footstool" and the Mercy Seat, His "throne," embody this immanence. Closely related is the theme of Holiness, as the extreme sacredness of these objects, requiring specific handling and placement, underscores God's absolute purity and the reverence due to Him. The Mercy Seat, specifically, introduces the profound theme of Atonement and Propitiation, foreshadowing the means by which a holy God can relate to a sinful people. Finally, the meticulous completion of these items, as commanded, reinforces the theme of Obedience to Divine Instruction, a recurring emphasis throughout the Tabernacle narrative, demonstrating Israel's faithfulness to the covenant established at Sinai.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The meticulous enumeration in Exodus 39:35, as part of a larger, comprehensive inventory of the Tabernacle's completed components, effectively employs Repetition and Emphasis. The detailed listing of each sacred component, echoing the earlier divine instructions given in Exodus 25-31, serves to reinforce the divine precision required for the Tabernacle's construction and to underscore the Israelites' faithful and obedient execution of God's commands. The very act of listing these items, particularly the most sacred ones first, beginning with the Ark and Mercy Seat, creates a sense of Climax or focal point, drawing the reader's attention to the spiritual heart and theological core of the Tabernacle. The Ark itself functions as a powerful Symbolism of God's covenant presence, His divine justice, and the foundational nature of His law, while the Mercy Seat is a profound Symbolism of God's boundless grace and His gracious provision for atonement. The phrase "Ark of the Testimony" also employs Metonymy, where "Testimony" (the tablets of the Law housed within) stands for the entire covenant relationship and the entirety of God's revealed law.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 39:35 powerfully conveys God's profound desire to dwell intimately with His people, a foundational theological theme that permeates the entire biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation. The Ark, with its contents (the Law) and its covering (the Mercy Seat), served as the physical embodiment of God's covenant presence, His transcendent holiness, and His gracious provision for atonement. It reveals a God who, despite His absolute holiness and infinite majesty, actively seeks relationship with humanity, establishing a tangible means for His presence to be known and for the pervasive problem of sin to be addressed. The meticulous detail in its construction underscores the sacredness of His presence and the necessity of approaching Him on His terms, highlighting the interconnected themes of divine instruction, human obedience, and the foundational importance of atonement for a holy God to dwell among a sinful people. This verse is a testament to God's initiative in bridging the gap between Himself and humanity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The completion of the Ark and Mercy Seat in Exodus 39:35 is far more than a mere historical or architectural detail; it is a profound theological statement about God's immutable character and His enduring, covenantal relationship with humanity. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is not distant, aloof, or unconcerned, but actively desires to be present among His people, to guide them, and to provide for their deepest needs. While the physical Tabernacle and its intricate furnishings were temporary structures, designed for a specific historical period, the spiritual truths they embodied are eternal and profoundly relevant for believers today. They invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of God's holiness, His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, and His gracious, sacrificial provision for sin. For us today, the call to reverence, meticulous obedience, and heartfelt worship remains, not in the construction of physical temples, but in the cultivation of hearts and lives that are living temples for the Holy Spirit, approaching God through the ultimate "Mercy Seat" that is Christ Jesus. Our worship, our daily lives, and our obedience should reflect the same meticulous care, devotion, and faithfulness that the Israelites demonstrated in building God's dwelling place according to His precise instructions.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the Ark of the Testimony?
Answer: The primary purpose of the Ark of the Testimony was to serve as the central, most sacred symbol of God's covenant presence among the Israelites and to house the two tablets of the Law, also known as the Ten Commandments, which were the "testimony" of God's covenant with His people. It represented the very throne of God on earth and was the focal point of Israel's worship and national identity, signifying God's active guidance, protection, and faithfulness. As the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, its presence emphasized God's holiness and the foundational nature of His law.
Why was it called the "mercy seat"?
Answer: The term "mercy seat" translates the Hebrew word kappôreth, which is derived from a root meaning "to cover" or "to atone." It was called the "mercy seat" because it was the specific place where God's mercy was extended to His people through the divinely prescribed ritual of atonement. On the annual Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sin offering directly onto and before the kappôreth (Leviticus 16:14). This act symbolically "covered" or "propitiated" the sins of the nation, allowing a holy God to continue dwelling among a sinful people without consuming them. Thus, it became the unique meeting place where God's justice and His mercy converged, providing forgiveness and reconciliation.
How does this verse relate to God's presence?
Answer: Exodus 39:35 directly relates to God's presence by highlighting the completion of the most sacred elements of the Tabernacle, which was explicitly designed as God's dwelling place among His people (Exodus 29:45). The Ark of the Testimony, with the Mercy Seat as its cover, was the very "throne" from which God promised to speak to Moses and meet with His people (Exodus 25:22). The meticulous construction of these items underscores the holiness of God's presence and the profound reverence required to approach Him. It signifies God's immanence—His willingness to be present and actively involved in the lives of His covenant people, guiding them through the wilderness and establishing a tangible, sacred connection between heaven and earth.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 39:35, detailing the completion of the Ark and the Mercy Seat, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Ark, which housed the Law, powerfully foreshadows Christ as the perfect embodiment and living fulfillment of God's righteous requirements, for He declared that He came "not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). More profoundly, the Mercy Seat, the designated place of propitiation and atonement, is a vivid and preeminent type of Christ Himself. Just as the high priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat once a year to cover the sins of Israel, Jesus, our great High Priest, entered the true heavenly sanctuary "not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). He is the ultimate kappôreth—the very place where God's perfect justice is eternally satisfied and His boundless mercy is poured out upon humanity. Through His singular, sacrificial death on the cross, Christ became our propitiation, the atoning sacrifice for our sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2), covering our transgressions and enabling us to draw near to a holy God with profound confidence, for "we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). The physical dwelling of God in the Tabernacle points forward to Christ, in whom "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9), making Him the ultimate, permanent, and perfect dwelling of God among humanity.