Act 7:44-46 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 44. The tabernacle of witness . The tent or tabernacle which Moses was commanded to make. It was called a tabernacle of witness , or of testimony, because it was the visible witness or proof of God's presence with them; the evidence that he to whom it was devoted was their protector and guide. The name is given either to the tent , or to the two tables of stone, or to the ark; all of which were witnesses or evidence , of God's relation to them as their Lawgiver and Guide, . The two charges against Stephen were that he had spoken blasphemy against Moses, or his law, and against the temple, . In the previous part of this defence he had shown his respect for Moses and his law. He now proceeds to show that he did not design to speak with disrespect of the temple, or the holy places of their worship. He therefore expresses his belief in the Divine appointment of both the tabernacle and of the temple, . According to the fashion , etc. According to the pattern that was shown to him, by which it was to be made, ; . As God showed him a pattern , it proved that the tabernacle had his sanction. Against that Stephen did not intend to speak. (+) "witness" "Testimony" (1) "speaking" "who spake" (a) "that he should make"

Acts 7:44-46

Verse 44. The tabernacle of witness. The tent or tabernacle which Moses was commanded to make. It was called a tabernacle of witness, or of testimony, because it was the visible witness or proof of God's presence with them; the evidence that he to whom it was devoted was their protector and guide. The name is given either to the tent, or to the two tables of stone, or to the ark; all of which were witnesses or evidence, of God's relation to them as their Lawgiver and Guide, Ex 16:34, 25:16,21, 27:21, 30:6,36, 31:18 Nu 1:50,53. The two charges against Stephen were that he had spoken blasphemy against Moses, or his law, and against the temple, Acts 6:13,14. In the previous part of this defence he had shown his respect for Moses and his law. He now proceeds to show that he did not design to speak with disrespect of the temple, or the holy places of their worship. He therefore expresses his belief in the Divine appointment of both the tabernacle Acts 7:44-46 and of the temple, Acts 7:47.

According to the fashion, etc. According to the pattern that was shown to him, by which it was to be made, Ex 25:9,40; Ex 26:30. As God showed him a pattern, it proved that the tabernacle had his sanction. Against that Stephen did not intend to speak.

(+) "witness" "Testimony" (1) "speaking" "who spake" (a) "that he should make" Ex 25:40, 26:30, Heb 8:5 Verse 45. Our fathers that came after. None of the generation that came out of Egypt were permitted to enter into the land of Canaan on account of their rebellion, except Caleb and Joshua, Nu 14:22-24, 32:11,12. Hence it is said that their fathers who came after, i.e. afar the generation when the tabernacle was built. The Greek, however, here means, properly, "which also our fathers, having received, brought," etc. The sense is not materially different. Stephen means that it was not brought in by that generation, but by the next.

With Jesus. This should have been rendered, "with Joshua." Jesus is the Greek mode of writing the name Joshua. But the Hebrew name should by all means have been retained here, as also in Heb 4:8.

Into the possession of the Gentiles. Into the land possessed by the Gentiles; that is, into the promised land then occupied by the Canaanites, etc.

Whom God, etc. That is, he continued to drive them out until the time of David, when they were completely expelled. Or it may mean that the tabernacle was in the possession of the Jews, and was the up, pointed place of worship, until the time of David, who desired to build him a temple. The Greek is ambiguous. The connexion favours the latter interpretation.

(b) "Which also" Josh 3:14 (2) "Which also our fathers" or, "having received" (*) "Jesus" "Joshua" (=) "possession of the Gentiles" "When they possessed the land of the nations" (c) "whom God Drave out" Nehh 9:24, Psa 44:2, 78:55 Verse 46. Who found favour. That is, God granted him great him great prosperity, and delivered him from his enemies.

To find a tabernacle. To prepare a permanent dwelling place for the ark and for the visible symbols of the Divine Presence. Hitherto the ark had been kept in the tabernacle, and had been borne about from place to place. David sought to build an house that would be permanent, where the ark might be deposited, 2Sam 7, 1Chr 22:7.

(d) "favour before God" 1Sam 16:1 (e) "desired to find a tabernacle" 1Chr 22:7