III. ISRAEL AT SINAI ( XIX.- XL.). The division Num 19- 40 presents difficulties due to its very importance, _see_ introduction to Ex. (last paragraph). But Num 25- 31, 35- 40 readily fall apart from the rest, as containing P's account of the Tabernacle (_see_ on Exodus 25:1), the introduction to wh... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS 25-31. P THE TENT OF MEETING OR DWELLING OF YAHWEH. To pass from the action and movement, and the jostling of old and new, in Exodus 25:19 into the group of Chapter s 25- 31 is like passing from the crosscurrents and broken waters of an open, storm-tossed bay into the calm and order of an enc... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS 25:10 P. THE ARK (_cf._ Exodus 37:1). Three stages of tradition may be distinguished with regard to the Ark (pp. 105f., 123f.): (_a)_ In JE, and in the earlier historical books, it is the visible seat of Yahweh's presence, guiding and protecting His people. Various explanations are offered. O... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS 25:23 P. THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD (_cf. Exodus 37:10_). It was an ancient custom to spread tables with food and drink as oblations to the gods, who were supposed to need food and drink (Leviticus 24:5 *). And the custom persisted long after men's ideas had changed, coming to be an acknowledgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS 25:31 P. THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK (or LAMPSTAND, _ cf. Exodus 37:17_ and Exodus 25:24). This was of massive gold, weighing 96 lbs., with its vessels (Exodus 25:40), having a base, a central stem, and six branches, all ornamented with bosses shaped like almond flowers, each cup or entire blossom... [ Continue Reading ]