Acts 15:16

Acts 15:16

 

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

 

a. NLT: ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins

and restore it, [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

 

b. NIV: “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

 

c. YLT: After these things I will turn back, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen down, and its ruins I will build again, and will set it upright --[The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

 

d. Amplified Bible Classic: After this I will come back, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its [very] ruins, and I will set it up again, [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

 

e. NASB95: ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, [New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.]

f. Worrell Translation: ‘After these things I will return; and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and the ruins thereof will I build again; and I will set it up; [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

 

g. Wuest Translation: After these things I will return and I will build again the hut of David which has fallen down and now lies in ruins. And I will build again the things belonging to it which are lying about in utter ruin. [The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest. ©️ Copyright Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1961. All rights reserved.]

 

1. “After this I will return…”

 

a. After [Strong: 3326 * meta met-ah' a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.]

 

b. this [Strong: 5023 * tauta tow'-tah nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.]

 

c. I will return [Strong: 390 * anastrepho an-as-tref'-o from 303 and 4762; to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself, i.e. remain, live:--abide, behave self, have conversation, live, overthrow, pass, return, be used.]

 

1). The obvious question to be asked is to return after what? The answer is in James assessment of what Peter said, “…how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” After the period of Gentile inclusion, the New Covenant gospel of grace, Jesus would return.

 

2). Acts 15:16 is a quote from Amos 9:11, but what is more interesting, it is quoted from the Septuagint. I will quote both below.

 

a). Amos 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

 

b). Septuagint Amos 9:11: In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and will rebuild the ruins of it, and will set up the parts thereof that have been broken down, and will build it up as in the ancient days:

 

2. “…and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down…”

 

a. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

 

b. will build again [Strong: 456 * anoikodomeo an-oy-kod-om-eh'-o from 303 and 3618; to rebuild:--build again.]

 

c. the [Strong: ten from 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

 

d. tabernacle [Strong: 4633 * skene skay-nay' apparently akin to 4632 and 4639; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively):--habitation, tabernacle.]

 

e. of David [Strong: 1138 * Dabid dab-eed' of Hebrew origin (1732); Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king:--David.]

 

f. which [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

 

g. is fallen down [Strong: 4098 * pipto pip'-to, a reduplicated and contracted form of peto pet'-o; (which occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses); probably akin to 4072 through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.]

 

3. “…and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:”

 

a. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

 

b. I will build again [Strong: 456 * anoikodomeo an-oy-kod-om-eh'-o from 303 and 3618; to rebuild:--build again.]

 

c. the ruins [Strong: 2679 * kataskapto kat-as-kap'-to from 2596 and 4626; to undermine, i.e. (by implication) destroy:--dig down, ruin.]

 

d. there of [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

 

e. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

 

f. I will set…up [Strong: 461 * anorthoo an-orth-o'-o from 303 and a derivative of the base of 3717; to straighten up:--lift (set) up, make straight.]

 

g. it [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

 

1). The tabernacle of Moses and the tabernacle of David are two different tabernacles, though they both served the same Old Covenant. David built a tabernacle in Jerusalem patterened after Moses tabernacle.

 

a). 2 Chronicles 1:2-4 Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

1:3 So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness.

1:4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.

 

b). 1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

 

(1) The Hebrew word for “tabernacle” in 2 Chronicles 1:3 and “tent” in 2 Chronicles 1:4 is the same word.

 

(2) tabernacle/tent [168 * ‘ohel] [Strong: a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle, tent.]

 

2). Perhaps the reason this tabernacle is referred to as “the tabernacle of David” is because even the temple that was called Solomon’s temple was designed by David through the leading of the Spirit of God (1 Chronicles 28:11, 12). Also because the tabernacle was no longer carried from place to place but was stationary, the Levites who had those particular responsibilities lost their jobs and David at the command of God reorganized their responsibilities. (1 Chronicles 15:16-24; 1 Chronicles 16:4-6; 2 Chronicles 29:25-29).

 

3). This reorganization contributed to the continual blessing and presence of God during the services in the Temple.

 

a). 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:

5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;

5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

 

4). Perhaps another reason is because David will be the king of Israel under Christ. Other than these proposed reasons I do not know why the tabernacle would be called the tabernacle of David.

 

5). The Millennial Kingdom, John F. Walvoord, pp. 205, 206. “What then is the meaning of the quotation of James? What relation does it have to the problem faced by the council at Jerusalem? The question considered by the council was one of Gentile participation in the church. It apparently was difficult for the apostles to adjust themselves to equality with Gentiles in the gospel. The evident blessing of God upon the Gentiles, their salvation, and spiritual gifts were indisputable evidence that a change in approach to the Gentiles was necessary. They must face the fact that both Jew and Gentile were saved by grace in exactly the same manner. How was this to be reconciled with the promises of God to Israel? It is this which James answers. He states, in effect, that it was God’s purpose to bless the Gentiles as well as Israel, but in their order. God was to visit the Gentiles first, “to take out of them a people for his name”. James goes on to say that is entirely in keeping with the prophets, for they had stated that the period of Jewish blessing and triumph should be after the gentile period: “After these things I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen.” Instead of identifying the period of Gentile conversion with the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David, it is carefully distinguished by the first (referring to Gentile blessing), and after this (referring to Israel’s coming glory). The passage, instead of identifying God’s purpose for the church and for the nation Israel, establishing a specific time order. Israel’s blessing will not come until after “I return,” apparently reference to the second coming of Christ.”

 

6). This passage shows that the Apostles believed in the Millennial Kingdom, the time of Israel’s glorious future that is taught in the Old Testament. The “tabernacle of David” is I believe the tabernacle to be built after the return of Christ.