Exodus 25:23-26:37

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 25:23-30

Here is, 1. A table ordered to be made of wood overlaid with gold, which was to stand, not in the holy of holies (nothing was in that but the ark with its appurtenances), but in the outer part of the tabernacle, called the sanctuary, or holy place, Heb. 9:2, 23 There must also be the usual furniture of the sideboard, dishes and spoons, etc., and all of gold, Exod. 25:29. 2. This table was to be always spread, and furnished with the show-bread (Exod. 25:30), or bread of faces, twelve loaves,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 25:23

Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood ,.... As the sanctuary or tabernacle was an house for God to dwell in, he would have the proper furniture of an house, as a table, candlestick, &c.; This table was to be in the same place with the ark and mercy seat; they were set in the holy of holies, where there were nothing else; but this in the holy place, on the north side of it, Exodus 26:35 its principal use was to set the shewbread on, as after mentioned, and was typical of Christ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 25:23

Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood - The same wood, the acacia, of which the arkstaves, etc., were made. On the subject of the ark, table of shew-bread, etc., Dr. Cudworth, in his very learned and excellent treatise on the Lord's Supper, has the following remarks: - "When God had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, resolving to manifest himself in a peculiar manner present among them, he thought good to dwell amongst them in a visible and external manner; and therefore,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 25:23

Verse 23 23.Thou shalt also make a table. The sentiment of a certain ancient bishop (134) is deservedly praised, who, when he sold the sacred vessels in the time of a famine, to relieve the distress of the poor, thus excused himself to the Church: “Our God, who does not eat or drink, has no need of patens and chalices;” and yet this seems little in accordance with this His command, that bread should be offered to Him. I answer, that if, under that pretext, the bishop had stripped the sacred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 25:10-40

What must be found with every soul that is God's dwelling-place I. THE ARK ( Exodus 25:10-22 ). The place where the Lord meets and communes with us. 1 . It contained the testimony. The light of the meeting-place with God is the word concerning righteousness and sin. There is no communion with God if that be left out. The law which searches and condemns us must be honoured as God's testimony. 2 . Between God and the law we have broken is the mercy seat, sin's glorious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 25:10-40

The ark, the table, and the candlestick. The instructions for the making of these essential parts of the tabernacle furniture occupy the remainder of the chapter. The directions for making the altar of incense are postponed to Exodus 30:1-10 . The reason seems to be that the uses of this altar could not be described without reference to commands which were to be given respecting the altar of burnt-offering—to which the altar of incense stood in a certain relation of dependence—and to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 25:23

Two cubits shall be the length thereof, etc. The table was to be three feel long, one foot six inches broad, and two feet three inches high. It was thus quite a small table, narrow for its length, and about two inches below the ordinary height. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 25:23-30

1 . A table, called the table of shew-bread ("bread of presence" or "bread of setting-forth"). 2 . A candelabrum, or lamp-stand; and 3 . An altar for the offering of incense. Of these the table seems to have been regarded as of primary importance; and its description is therefore made to follow immediately on that of the ark. It was of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and was of the most ordinary shape—oblong-square, i.e; with four legs, one at each corner. The only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 25:23-30

The symbolism of the table of shew-bread. Before the holy of holies, within which was the Divine Presence, dwelling in thick darkness behind the veil, was to be set perpetually this golden table, bearing bread and wine and frankincense. The bread and wine and frankincense constituted a perpetual thank-offering, offered by Israel as a nation to the high and holy God. The idea was that of a constant memorial (Le Exodus 24:8 ), a continual acknowledgment of the Divine goodness on the part... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 25:23-30

(Compare Exodus 37:10-16.) The table and the candlestick figured on the Arch of Titus at Rome are those of the Maccabaean times, but made as nearly as possible after the ancient models reproduced under the direction of Solomon and Zerubbabel. The details and size of the figure, and the description of Josephus, appear to agree very nearly with the directions here given to Moses, and to illustrate them in several particulars. Josephus says that the table was like the so-called Delphic tables,... read more

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