Exodus 39:43 · Bible study
Exodus 39:43 Commentary: Moses' Blessing After Completion
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What did Moses' blessing mean after the tabernacle was finished? A study of inspection, obedience, and prayer in Exodus 39:43.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Moses' blessing after inspecting the completed tabernacle affirms the people's faithful obedience and asks for God's continued favor.
- Key words: Saw (ra'ah, H7200), to inspect, perceive; Behold (hinneh, H2009), calls attention to a striking fact; Blessed (barak, H1288), to praise, kneel, and invoke divine favor.
- Main debate: Whether the blessing was primarily a verbal commendation, a priestly prayer, or a combination of both; most commentators see both elements present.
- Theological theme: Faithful obedience to God's commands leads to the experience of God's blessing and the dwelling of His presence among His people.
- Best use: Sermon on faithful service, the importance of completing God-given work, and the role of leaders in affirming and praying for those who serve.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And Moses inspected all the work and saw that they had accomplished it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Yahweh had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Moses saw all the work, and, behold, they had done it; as Jehovah had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and Moses seeth all the work, and lo, they have done it as Jehovah hath commanded; so they have done. And Moses doth bless them.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Jehovah had commanded — so had they done [it]; and Moses blessed them.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And when Moses saw all things finished, he blessed them.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y vió Moisés toda la obra, y he aquí que la habían hecho como Jehová había mandado; y bendíjolos.
E viu Moisés toda a obra, e eis que a fizeram como o SENHOR havia mandado; e abençoou-os.
Moïse examina tout le travail; et voici, ils l’ avaient fait comme l’ Éternel l’ avait ordonné, ils l’ avaient fait ainsi. Et Moïse les bénit.
Und Mose sah an all dies Werk; und siehe, sie hatten es gemacht, wie der HERR geboten hatte. Und er segnete sie.
Mozes nu bezag het ganse werk, en ziet, zij hadden het gemaakt, gelijk als de HEERE geboden had; alzo hadden zij het gemaakt. Toen zegende Mozes hen.
E Mosè vide tutto il lavoro; ed ecco, essi l’aveano eseguito come l’Eterno aveva ordinato; l’aveano eseguito a quel modo. E Mosè li benedisse.
I obejrzał Mojżesz tę wszystką robotę, a oto, uczynili ją, jako był rozkazał Pan, tak uczynili; i błogosławił im Mojżesz.
И увидел Моисей всю работу, и вот они сделали ее: как повелел Господь, так и сделали. И благословил их Моисей.
耶和華 怎樣 吩咐的， 他們就怎樣 做了。摩西 看見 一切的 工 都做成了， 就給他們 祝福。
Then Moses, when he saw all their work and saw that they had done everything as the Lord had said, gave them his blessing.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 39:43
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Moses' blessing in this verse is twofold: it acknowledges the workers' faithful obedience and asks for God's continued favor. Adam Clarke describes it as giving 'praise due to their skill, diligence, and fidelity' while also praying that God would prosper them. Gill similarly sees Moses as commending the workers and 'implored the divine blessing upon them.' Matthew Henry emphasizes that Moses did more than praise, he prayed for them as one having authority. The blessing is not merely a human compliment but a sacred act, recognizing that the work was done exactly as Yahweh commanded. Keil and Delitzsch connect this to the willingness of Israel to serve the Lord, noting that 'the blessing of God could not fail to be given.' Thus, Moses' blessing encompasses both approval of faithful labor and a petition for divine presence and favor.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Moses inspected the completed tabernacle, found that it was made exactly as God commanded, and then blessed the people—these actions are undisputed.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Moses' blessing | Commentators agree that Moses both praised the workers for their skill and prayed for God's favor on them. | Some emphasize the verbal act of praise (Clarke, Cambridge Bible), while others stress the intercessory prayer aspect (Matthew Henry, Gill). Most blend both. |
| Moses' authority to bless | As the covenant mediator and leader of Israel, Moses had the standing to pronounce blessing. | Whether this anticipates the later Aaronic priestly blessing (Numbers 6) or is a distinct act of Mosaic leadership is viewed differently across traditions; some see a direct line, others a unique role. |
| Obedience as condition for blessing | The text clearly links the blessing to the people's exact compliance with God's commands. | Some traditions interpret this as a principle that faithful work always earns reward, while others see it as a unique moment in redemptive history, not a universal formula. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Exodus 39:43 closes a long section detailing the construction of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among Israel. The people had given materials generously (Exodus 35, 36), and skilled artisans led by Bezalel and Oholiab had worked under Moses' oversight. The pattern for every curtain, board, and vessel had been shown to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:9, 40), and the phrase 'as Yahweh commanded' echoes throughout chapters 39, 40 like a refrain. According to Keil and Delitzsch, the work took less than half a year; Matthew Henry notes it was 'not much more than five months.' Such speed, along with the exact obedience to the divine pattern, shows the people's wholehearted devotion.
Moses' act of blessing fits the cultural role of a leader and mediator. In the ancient Near East, a spoken blessing was a performative word that invoked favor and well-being. Moses had already blessed the people after the covenant ratification (Exodus 24:8) and would later join Aaron in blessing them again (Leviticus 9:22, 23). The blessing likely took the form of a prayer, Jarchi (Rashi) records a tradition that Moses said, 'May it be the pleasure of God that the Shechinah may dwell in the works of your hands' (as cited by Gill). This moment also echoes Genesis 1:31, where God saw everything he had made and pronounced it very good. Here, Moses sees the work and responds with blessing, signaling that the tabernacle is ready for God's glory to fill it. The joy of completion and the hope of God's presence permeate the scene.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Masoretic text is stable across manuscripts, and the main interpretive questions concern the meaning of the blessing rather than the wording.
Reception History
Jewish tradition, as recorded in the Targum Jonathan and cited by Gill, preserves the blessing as a prayer that the Shekinah (divine presence) would dwell in the works of their hands. Jarchi (Rashi) similarly paraphrased Moses' words as 'May it be the pleasure of God that the Shechinah may dwell in the works of your hands.' In Christian tradition, this verse has been valued as a model for leaders to both inspect and bless faithful service, and as a foretaste of the completion of God's dwelling among His people, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (John 1:14). Commentators from Reformed, Methodist, and Baptist traditions all highlight the themes of meticulous obedience and joyful blessing, using the verse to encourage diligent work in the church today.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Faithful work deserves inspection. Moses looked carefully at all the work; he did not assume but examined. This teaches that those who lead should pay attention to the labor of others.
- Obedience to God’s command is the measure. The repeated phrase 'as Yahweh commanded' is the standard for approval. The people did not innovate but followed the pattern.
- Blessing is both affirmation and intercession. Moses blessed them, not just a 'well done' but a prayer for God’s continued favor. Leaders today can follow this pattern of thanksgiving and supplication.
Five-point outline
- Completion: All the work was finished; nothing was left undone.
- Inspection: Moses saw it all, providing accountability.
- Conformity: The work matched the divine command exactly.
- Blessing: Moses spoke words of praise and prayer over the people.
- Anticipation: The tabernacle was ready for God’s glory to dwell (Exodus 40:34).
Illustration hooks
- Teacher grading projects: A teacher reviews final projects, notes they meet every requirement, and then thanks the students publicly, wishing them success, a blend of evaluation and encouragement.
- Builder and homeowner: A contractor walks through a completed house, checking every detail against the blueprint, then shakes hands with the crew and expresses pride in the work.
- Church building drive: A congregation finishes renovating a fellowship hall. The pastor inspects the work, thanks the volunteers, and prays that it will be a place of hospitality and blessing.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does Moses have the authority to bless like a priest, and what does that mean for us today?
- Is there a difference between blessing as praise for a job well done and blessing as a prayer for God’s favor? Does this verse show both?
- How can we apply this pattern, careful work, inspection, and blessing, in our own service to God and others?
Leading a Discussion
Exodus 39:43 marks a moment of completion and approval. After months of labor, the tabernacle is finished exactly as God commanded. Moses inspects, approves, and blesses. This passage invites us to consider the importance of working faithfully according to God’s direction and the role of blessing in our communities.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What did Moses see when he looked at the work? How does the text describe his response?
- Observation: How many times is the phrase 'as Yahweh commanded' or similar used in Exodus 39, 40? What does this repetition emphasize?
- Interpretation: Why do you think Moses blessed the people at this point? What might that blessing have included, praise, prayer, or both? How do the commentators support your view?
- Interpretation: How does this blessing compare to the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:23, 27? What similarities and differences do you see?
- Interpretation: What does this passage teach about the relationship between work done for God and the blessing that follows?
- Application: In what areas of your life are you called to work 'as the Lord has commanded'? How can you seek to do so with the same care as the Israelites?
- Application: How can we, like Moses, affirm and bless others who serve faithfully, in our families, church, and community? What might that look like this week?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 1:31 | God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. |
| Genesis 14:19 | He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. |
| Exodus 40:25 | He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses. |
| Leviticus 9:22 | Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings. |
| Leviticus 9:23 | Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people; and Yahweh’s glory appeared to all the people. |
| Numbers 6:23 | “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them, |
| Numbers 6:27 | “So they shall put my name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” |
| Joshua 22:6 | So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away; and they went to their tents. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that Moses blessed the people and the workers not only with praise for their skill and fidelity but also with a prayer to God for their prosperity and salvation. He emphasizes the eager, generous, and swift response of the community, who worked so diligently because they understood that God's presence among them was their greatest good.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Moses blessed the people not merely for completing the work, but for the energy and promptness they showed in carrying out Jehovah’s instructions. Their eager, swift obedience drew his commendation.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note observes that Moses carefully inspected all the work, confirming it matched exactly what the Lord had commanded. Only after this verification did he pronounce a blessing on the workers, showing that faithful obedience to God's instructions merits approval and blessing.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that Moses did not merely glance at the completed tabernacle but carefully inspected every detail to confirm it matched God’s commands precisely. Only after this thorough check did Moses bless the workers, a blessing that Jewish tradition records as a prayer for God’s presence to dwell in what their hands had made.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Moses’ inspection of the completed tabernacle was a formal transfer of the work, not a casual check. Every plank, curtain, and vessel was carefully measured against the divine pattern and found exact. Moses then accepted the work, thanked God, and asked His blessing on the craftsmen.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch highlight that Moses blessed Israel not merely for finishing the work, but for the eager spirit behind it. The people gave freely and completed the task in under six months, which demonstrated genuine willingness to serve the Lord. This cheerful obedience, they argue, was what drew God's promised blessing upon them.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that the people's generous enthusiasm and joy in building the tabernacle were matched by exact obedience to every command. This punctilious compliance, rendered through Moses, showed that the covenant order was fully restored and the nation willingly submitted to God's law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights the remarkable speed with which the tabernacle was finished: only about five months for such elaborate work in gold, embroidery, and precious stones. For Matthew Henry, this promptness reflects the people's wholehearted obedience to God's command, making the quick completion itself a notable act of faithfulness.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that Moses gave the workers a blessing instead of wages, because the tabernacle's honor and comfort among them was reward enough. They already received manna and clothing from God without cost, so this blessing in the Lord's name was all they needed.