Synopsis of the Chapter
The priestly vestments are made, and the entire construction of the tabernacle with all its furnishings is completed.
Verse 4: And Two Edges ¶
Verse 4. AND TWO EDGES — supply: he made. On these edges see chapter 28, verse 10.
Verse 29: They Wrote upon It, Holy to the Lord ¶
Verse 29. AND THEY WROTE UPON IT WITH THE WORK OF A JEWELER (that is, they engraved on the plate, as jewelers are accustomed to engrave on seals), HOLY TO THE LORD.
Verse 31: Of the Tent ¶
Verse 31. OF THE TENT — that is, the covering of goat-hair cloth, which in Hebrew is called ohel, about which see chapter 26, verse 7.
Verse 43: He Blessed Them ¶
Verse 43. HE BLESSED THEM — namely, Moses blessed the children of Israel, who had so generously offered their possessions to the Lord, and who had so zealously labored at the work of the tabernacle, obeying most readily the voice of the Lord. This is clear from the Hebrew. Therefore Abulensis does not correctly explain it thus: "He blessed them," namely the instruments of the tabernacle, as if this blessing were their consecration; for that was not done here, but afterwards in chapter 40, verse 9, when the tabernacle was erected, they were consecrated through anointing.
Tropologically, those who build a tabernacle of God in their soul, through humility, charity, prayer, and other virtues, when it is completed will be blessed by the Lord, because they will be heaped with grace and glory. "The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just; but iniquity covers the mouth of the wicked," says the Wise Man, Proverbs chapter 10. Thus Abraham was blessed: "By My own self I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not spared your only-begotten son: I will bless you, and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed," Genesis chapter 22, verse 16. Hence Ecclesiasticus chapter 11, verse 24: "The blessing of God hastens to reward the just." And chapter 39, verse 27: "His blessing shall overflow like a river," especially on the day of judgment, when He shall say to His elect: "Come, blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."