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 39:43KJV
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Exodus 39:43 (KJV)

What does Exodus 39:43 mean?

Exodus 39:43 describes how Moses inspected all the work the Israelites had done to build the tabernacle and its furnishings, saw that they had followed the LORD’s instructions exactly, and then gave them his blessing. The verse highlights that the people’s careful obedience matched what God had commanded through Moses.

In this scene, Moses is the leader overseeing the completion of the tabernacle, which was a special tent for worship. The people had finished all the detailed work, and Moses carefully checked it. When Moses saw that everything was done just as the LORD (the Hebrew name יְהוָה, Yahweh) had commanded, he responded by blessing the workers, showing approval and gratitude for their faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 39:43

  • "Look" (רָאָה, ra’ah): This word means more than a quick glance; it suggests Moses examined the work closely and thoughtfully, making sure it was done right.
  • "Work" (מְלָאכָה, melakhah): This refers to skilled or purposeful work, not just any task. The verse emphasizes the craftsmanship and care involved.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word points to specific instructions given by the LORD, underlining that the people didn’t just do what seemed best to them—they followed God’s directions exactly.
  • "Blessed" (בָּרַךְ, barakh): Moses’s blessing was more than a compliment; in the Hebrew context, it often meant asking for God’s favor and well-being for the people.

Why Exodus 39:43 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the tabernacle was built according to human ideas; it stresses that every detail was done as the LORD had commanded, not by personal preference.
  • The verse highlights the importance of obedience and careful attention to God’s instructions, showing that faithfulness is noticed and affirmed by leaders.
  • Exodus 39:43 connects the completion of the tabernacle to a moment of blessing, marking the work as not just finished, but approved and set apart for God’s purposes.

Where else these words appear

“all” Hebrew H3651 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 42:34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
  • 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 29:1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.