Exodus 40:27

And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) He burnt sweet incense thereon.—At even, when he lighted the lamps, he also, according to the instructions given him (Exodus 30:8) burnt incense.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

40:16-33 When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons especially, not to put off the care of their souls.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Before the vail - That is, opposite to the ark, in the middle between the table of showbread on the North and the candlestick on the South.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him—On his part, the same scrupulous fidelity was shown in conforming to the "pattern" in the disposition of the furniture, as had been displayed by the workmen in the erection of the edifice.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

This is wisely and seasonably added, because this was a work peculiar to the priest, and not to be done by Moses without God’s express command

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he burnt sweet incense thereon,.... Which is another branch of the priestly office exercised by Moses, and which he would never have done had he not had a command from God for it, as follows:

as the Lord commanded Moses; he commanded Moses indeed to order and direct Aaron to do this, but he being not yet consecrated, Moses, being the Lord's priest, did it.

Geneva Study Bible

And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

27. See Exodus 30:7. Moses, however, not Aaron, according to the present writer, begins the daily services (cf. vv. 23, 25, 29), and maintains them during the first eight days till the priests are installed (cf. Exodus 29:35, Leviticus 8:33; Leviticus 9:1).

Exodus 40:27

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling. The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify "a row of bread," but the "position or placing of bread;" for, according to Leviticus 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad). The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i.e., midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exodus 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.