Exodus 37:10

Exo 37:10. Observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on the table, and afterward only by the priest: but to the table Christ has spread, in the new covenant, all good Christians are invited as guests, and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come, eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

General Information:

Bezalel's work crew continues to build the tabernacle and furniture.

Bezalel made ... four feet were

For Exo 37:10-13 see how you translated many of these words in Exodus 25:23-24 and Exodus 25:25-26.

two cubits ... one cubit ... one and a half cubits

A cubit is 46 centimeters. AT: "2 cubits ... 1 cubit ... 1.5 cubits" or "92 centimeters ... 46 centimeters ... 69 centimeters" (See: Biblical Distance and Fractions)

handbreadth

This was the width of a man's hand with fingers spread out. (See: Biblical Distance)

the four feet

These four pieces of wood that supported the ark are spoken of as if they were human or animal feet. (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

acacia

pure

gold

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

Here is, 1. The making of the table on which the show-bread was to be continually placed. God is a good householder, that always keeps a plentiful table. Is the world his tabernacle? His providence in it spreads a table for all the creatures: he provides food for all flesh. Is the church his tabernacle? His grace in it spreads a table for all believers, furnished with the bread of life. But observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Though here was a table furnished, it was only with show-bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on this table, and afterwards only by the priests; but to the table which Christ has spread in the new covenant all real Christians are invited guests; and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of, and a hearty welcome to. 2. The making of the candlestick, which was not of wood overlaid with gold, but all beaten work of pure gold only, Exo 37:17, Exo 37:22. This signified that light of divine revelation with which God's church upon earth (which is his tabernacle among men) has always been enlightened, being always supplied with fresh oil from Christ the good Olive, Zac 4:2, Zac 4:3. God's manifestations of himself in this world are but candle-light compared with the daylight of the future state. The Bible is a golden candlestick; it is of pure gold, Psa 19:10. From it light is diffused to every part of God's tabernacle, that by it his spiritual priests may see to minister unto the Lord, and to do the service of his sanctuary. This candlestick has not only its bowls for necessary use, but its knops and flowers for ornament; there are many things which God saw fit to beautify his word with which we can no more give a reason for than for these knops and flowers, and yet we are sure that they were added for a good purpose. Let us bless God for this candlestick, have an eye to it continually, and dread the removal of it out of its place.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 10. He made the table] See Ex 25:23.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Observe how much the dispensation of the gospel exceeds that of the law. Tho' here was a table furnished, it was only with shew- bread, bread to be looked upon, not to be fed upon, while it was on the table, and afterwards only by the priests: but to the table Christ has spread in the new covenant all good Christians are invited guests, and to them it is said, Eat, O friends, come eat of my bread. What the law gave but a sight of at a distance, the gospel gives the enjoyment of.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

The Table of the Showbread

v. 10. And he made the table of shittim wood; two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

v. 11. And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about, heavy crosspieces connecting the legs of the table.

v. 12. Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about, a heavy molding just beneath the edge of the plate; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about, a rim which stood up above the plate of the table.

v. 13. And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof.

v. 14. Over against the border were the rings, next to the heavy molding at the top, the places for the staves to bear the table.

v. 15. And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table.

v. 16. And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, the showbread plates, and his spoons, the small incense vessels, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, pitchers and goblets for the drink-offering, of pure gold. Cf Exo 25:23-30.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.