Exodus 39:33

THE PRESENTATION OF THE WORK TO MOSES, AND HIS APPROVAL OF IT.

(33-43) It is probable that the various parts of the work were presented to Moses for inspection as they were completed; that if they did not satisfy him, they might be altered and amended at once. Moses alone had seen “the pattern in the mount,” and Moses alone could say if the work came up to the required standard. We are not told that anything was rejected; and it is quite possible that all the portions of the work were satisfactorily rendered at their first essay by the several workmen; for the workmen, it must be remembered, besides receiving instructions from Moses, were divinely assisted in the production of their several works (Exo. 36:42).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

33. the tabernacle] the Dwelling, i.e., in the proper sense of the term (see on Exo_26:1), the curtains constituting the ‘Dwelling’ (Exo_26:1-6).

the Tent] the tent of goats’ hair, outside the ‘curtains’ (Exo_26:7-13).

33–40. The things made are all brought to Moses, and (v. 43) approved by him. A complete enumeration is given, substantially in the same order as in Exo_35:11-19.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses,.... That is, the several parts of it before it was put together, with all its furniture, and everything appertaining to it; which are examined in the order in which they were directed to be made, from hence to the end of Exo 39:42 and this was done, that Moses might inspect the whole, and see whether it was done according to the pattern shown him, and the instructions he had given to the workmen.

Exodus 39:43

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

ויביאו את המשכן וגו׳ AND THEY BROUGHT THE TABERNACLE [UNTO MOSES etc.], for they themselves were unable to erect it. Since Moses had done no work in the Mishkan, 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 boards 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, (Exodus 40:17) “The Tabernacle was erected (הוקם)” — was erected by itself. This is a Midrash of Rabbi Tanchuma 2:11:11.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.

AND THEY BROUGHT THE TABERNACLE UNTO MOSES, THE TENT, AND ALL ITS VESSELS. The translation of this verse is as if it were written with the connective vav [which indicates “and”], thus making the sense of the verse: “and they brought the Tabernacle unto Moses, ‘and’ the tent and all its vessels,” for it was the curtains of fine-twined linen that are called “Tabernacle,” as it is said, And thou shalt make the Tabernacle with ten curtains of fine-twined linen, and then it continues, and thou shalt couple the curtains… that the Tabernacle may be one whole., Verse 6. The “tent,” however, means the curtains of goats’ hair, as Scripture says with reference to them, And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the Tabernacle;, Verse 7. and thou shalt couple the tent together, that it may be one., Verse 11. Similarly, the Tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, 35:11. means “and its tent.” So also here the meaning of the verse is, “and they brought the Tabernacle unto Moses, and the tent, and all its vessels,” as Scripture mentions here [in this section] the names of all its parts. At times the whole house is called “the Tent of Meeting,” as He said, and they shall make all that I have commanded thee: the Tent of Meeting, and the ark of the Testimony, 31:6-7. for “the Tent of Meeting” is the house in its totality, where He would meet with Moses., 30:6. Similarly, all the vessels of the service of the Tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting [refers to the building as a whole].

Ramban (Nachmanides) on the Tanakh — English translation: “Commentary on the Torah by Ramban (Nachmanides). Translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. New York, Shilo Pub. House, 1971-1976” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.