Exodus 39 43

Exodus 39:43 kjv

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.

Exodus 39:43 nkjv

Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.

Exodus 39:43 niv

Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

Exodus 39:43 esv

And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them.

Exodus 39:43 nlt

Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the LORD had commanded him, he blessed them.

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 43 Meaning

Exodus 39:43 describes the culmination of the massive construction project of the Tabernacle and its components. Moses personally inspects all the work that has been completed by the craftsmen and verifies that every single detail aligns perfectly with the instructions Yahweh had given. Upon confirming this precise obedience, Moses bestows a blessing upon the people who had labored faithfully to carry out God's will. This verse emphasizes the critical importance of exact obedience to divine command in serving the Lord.

Exodus 39 43 Context

Exodus chapter 39 marks the culmination of the construction of the Tabernacle, meticulously detailing the completion of the priestly garments, the ephod, the breastpiece, and all the associated golden vessels and linens. The previous chapters (Exo 25-31) laid out God's precise instructions and specifications for every component of the Tabernacle and its worship apparatus. Chapters 35-39 describe the fulfillment of those commands by the skilled craftsmen, particularly Bezalel and Oholiab, and the contributions of the Israelites. Verse 43 serves as the summary and conclusion of this intensive construction phase, transitioning the narrative from the building process to the Tabernacle's erection and the glory of God filling it, as seen in the subsequent chapter 40. The historical context is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt, emphasizing God's desire for a portable sanctuary where He could dwell among His people.

Exodus 39 43 Word analysis

• And Moses (וַיַּרְא מֹשֶׁה – vayyar' Mosheh): "Moses" here represents the divinely appointed leader and mediator. His act of "seeing" signifies not a casual glance but a thorough, official inspection and verification of the completed work against the divine blueprint given to him. This role of oversight highlights the accountability for precise execution of God's commands.
• saw (וַיַּרְא – vayyar', from רָאָה ra'ah): Implies careful observation, examination, and confirmation. It’s a verb that denotes perceiving and discerning. Moses is fulfilling his leadership duty to ensure faithfulness to God's detailed commands. This verification underscores the importance of human diligence in response to divine revelation.
• all the work (אֶת־כָּל־הַמְּלָאכָה – et-kol-h’mela'khah): "All" emphasizes the completeness and totality. "The work" (mela'khah) refers specifically to the skilled craftsmanship and labor involved in constructing the entire Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments. It signifies that nothing was overlooked, and every commanded detail was addressed. This speaks to God's requirement for thoroughness in His service.
• and behold, they had done it (וְהִנֵּה עָשׂוּ אֹתָהּ – v'hinneh asu otah): "Behold" (hinneh) is an interjection emphasizing surprise, affirmation, or drawing attention to what is about to be stated. It marks Moses' confirmation. "They had done it" refers to the skilled workers—Bezalel, Oholiab, and the numerous artisans—who followed the divine inspiration and instructions. It indicates the successful and comprehensive execution of the divine will.
• as the LORD had commanded (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה – ka'asher tzivah YHWH): This is a crucial phrase, repeatedly found in Exodus when referring to the Tabernacle. "As" (ka'asher) means "exactly according to" or "in the manner that." "Commanded" (tzivah) emphasizes the absolute authority and specificity of God's instructions. "LORD" is Yahweh (YHWH), God's covenant name, signifying His personal relationship with Israel and the binding nature of His decrees. This phrase confirms that human effort was subject to and directed by divine revelation, not human creativity or convenience. It highlights absolute obedience.
• even so had they done it. (כֵּן עָשׂוּ – ken asu): This repetition reinforces the exact adherence. "Even so" (ken) stresses the perfect correspondence between command and execution. The work was not merely completed but completed precisely "in that way." This double emphasis signifies unqualified obedience, underscoring that deviations were unacceptable in constructing God’s dwelling place.
• And Moses blessed them. (וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם מֹשֶׁה – vay'varekh otam Mosheh): "Blessed" (vay'varekh from בָּרַךְ barakh): To pronounce favor, impart spiritual well-being, or invoke divine favor. This blessing is not from Moses' own power, but as a mediator, invoking God's blessing upon the diligent and obedient people. It is a divine endorsement of their faithful labor, a testament that their precise obedience brought God's favor. It demonstrates God's delight in their humble and obedient service, mirroring His ultimate desire to bless those who follow Him. This blessing stands in contrast to any potential curses for disobedience.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "Moses saw all the work... as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it.": This phrase captures the essence of divine revelation leading to human action and divine verification. It stresses the foundational principle of Old Covenant worship: all must be done strictly "according to the pattern" (Exo 25:9, 40), without addition or subtraction, ensuring God's presence.
• "they had done it... even so had they done it.": The repetition highlights the completed task and the workers' faithfulness. It affirms their dedication, skill, and reverence in constructing God’s sacred space, signifying that every instruction, from the grand design to the minute detail, was fulfilled. This exemplifies what it means to be a "doer" of God's word (Jas 1:22).
• "And Moses blessed them.": The blessing serves as a formal, divine validation of their perfect obedience. It conveys God’s approval and bestows favor upon the craftsmen and the community who collectively worked on His dwelling. This blessing signifies that faithful and diligent service according to God's will is met with divine affirmation and reward.

Exodus 39 43 Bonus section

The repetitive phrase "as the LORD commanded" appears numerous times in Exodus, particularly regarding the Tabernacle construction. Its repeated inclusion emphasizes a polemical stance against contemporary ancient Near Eastern temple-building practices, which were often motivated by kingly prestige or human design. In contrast, Israel's Tabernacle was conceived solely by Yahweh and executed strictly according to His blueprint, asserting His ultimate authority and Israel's subservience to Him alone. The entire detailed process, culminating in this verse, stresses that true worship must be regulated by God's explicit revelation, not by human innovation or tradition. The blessing Moses imparts prefigures God's pleasure when His people walk in obedience, establishing a template for divine approval and blessing throughout redemptive history. This dedication and blessing establish the holiness and divine acceptance of the structure where God's glory would soon reside.

Exodus 39 43 Commentary

Exodus 39:43 is a climactic verse in the Tabernacle narrative, signifying the successful conclusion of a monumental, divinely-mandated project. It illustrates several profound truths. First, it underscores God's meticulous nature and His demand for exact obedience; the Tabernacle was to be a precise copy of a heavenly pattern, and any deviation would compromise its purpose and God's holiness. Moses' inspection ensures this divine standard is met. Second, it highlights the faithful execution of God's will by human hands, acknowledging the skills and diligence of the artisans like Bezalel and Oholiab, who operated under divine inspiration and explicit instruction. Their collective "work" signifies human responsibility and cooperation in building God's dwelling place. Finally, Moses' blessing upon the workers serves as God's stamp of approval, affirming that obedience to divine command leads to divine favor and blessing. It sets a pattern for all service to God: diligent work, accurately performed according to His revealed will, results in His pleasure and blessing. This verse foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan through Christ, who perfectly accomplished the Father's will (Jn 4:34), establishing a new spiritual temple not built by human hands (Heb 9:11).