Exodus 40ASV
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Exodus40

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.

4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

5And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

7And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy.

10And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy.

11And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it.

12And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

13And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

14And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them;

15and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.

17And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.

18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars.

19And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

21and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

22And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.

23And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

24And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

26And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil:

27and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

28And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

29And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

30And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash.

31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat;

32when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

33And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys:

37but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38For the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 40.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The tabernacle is to be set up, Aaron and his sons to be sanctified. (1–15). Moses performs all as directed. (16–33). The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle. (34–38).

vv1-15

When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it continues for ever.

vv16-33

When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons especially, not to put off the care of their souls.

vv34-38

The cloud covered the tabernacle even in the clearest day; it was not a cloud which the sun scatters. This cloud was a token of God's presence to be seen day and night, by all Israel, that they might never again question, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? It guided the camp of Israel through the wilderness. While the cloud rested on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they followed it. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In light and fire the Shechinah made itself visible: God is Light; our God is a consuming Fire. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, till the splendour was abated. But what Moses could not do, our Lord Jesus has done, whom God caused to draw near; and who has invited us to come boldly, even to the mercy-seat. Being taught by the Holy Spirit to follow the example of Christ, as well as to depend upon him, to attend his ordinances, and obey his precepts, we shall be kept from losing our way, and be led in the midst of the paths of judgment, till we come to heaven, the habitation of his holiness. BLESSED BE GOD FOR JESUS CHRIST!

Cross References

Exodus 40
v341 Kings 8:10thematic

Solomon's temple is likewise filled with the cloud of glory, signaling God's dwelling among His people.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v351 Kings 8:11thematic

The priests could not stand to minister in the temple because of the overwhelming glory-cloud.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v2Exodus 12:2thematic

Setting up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month aligns with the Exodus calendar's start.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v20Exodus 25:16-21thematic

Directly describes putting the testimony (the tablets of the law) and mercy seat into the ark.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v34Numbers 9:15-23thematic

Expands on the cloud covering the tabernacle and guiding Israel throughout their subsequent wilderness journeys.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v34Exodus 13:21thematic

Connects this manifestation with the original pillar of cloud and fire that led them from Egypt.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v5Exodus 30:1-5thematic

Defines the construction and placement of the golden altar of incense before the veil.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v7Exodus 30:18-21thematic

Details the placement and purpose of the bronze laver filled with water for priestly washing.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v9Exodus 30:23-33thematic

The original command and recipe for the holy anointing oil used to sanctify the tabernacle.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v12Exodus 29:1-35thematic

The instructions for washing, clothing, and anointing Aaron and his sons for the priesthood.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v22Hebrews 9:2typology

New Testament description of the first covenant tabernacle, highlighting the table and the showbread.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v30Exodus 30:18-21thematic

The original command to place the laver for Aaron and his sons to wash before service.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v34John 1:14typology

The Word became flesh and 'tabernacled' among us, revealing the ultimate, approachable glory of God.

Supported by JFB

v35Leviticus 16:2thematic

God declares He will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat, warning against unauthorized entry.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Numbers 7:1thematic

Confirms the completion, rearing, and anointing of the tabernacle on this exact day.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Exodus 26:33thematic

The command to hang the veil to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v4Exodus 25:23-30thematic

The instructions for the table of showbread and setting the bread in order before Yahweh.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v4Exodus 25:31-39thematic

The blueprint for the golden candlestick and its lamps to give light in the sanctuary.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v5Hebrews 9:24typology

Christ entering the true holy place typified by the high priest serving before the golden altar.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v6Exodus 27:1-8thematic

Details the construction of the bronze altar of burnt offering placed before the tabernacle door.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v8Exodus 27:9-19thematic

The instructions for setting up the court hangings and gate surrounding the tabernacle.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v21Exodus 26:33thematic

The command to hang the veil to divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy.

Supported by Calvin

v23Leviticus 24:5thematic

Details the setting of the twelve cakes of showbread in order upon the pure table.

Supported by Calvin

v25Numbers 8:2thematic

The specific directive for lighting the seven lamps to give light before the candlestick.

Supported by Calvin

v26Exodus 30:1-10thematic

The institution and description of the golden altar of incense placed before the veil.

Supported by Calvin

v29Exodus 29:38-46thematic

The command for the daily continual burnt offerings at the door of the tabernacle.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v35Revelation 15:8thematic

The heavenly temple filled with smoke from the glory of God, preventing any from entering.

Supported by JFB

v9Exodus 29:36thematic

Describes the daily sin offering for atonement to sanctify and cleanse the altar.

Supported by John Calvin

v12Leviticus 8:1-13thematic

The historical execution of washing, clothing, and anointing Aaron and his sons as prescribed.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v33Hebrews 3:2-5typology

Compares the faithfulness of Moses finishing God's house to Christ's faithfulness over His own house.

Supported by JFB