Exodus40
English Standard Version
1The Lord to , ,
2On the of the you shall the of the of .
3And you shall it the of the , and you shall the with the .
4And you shall bring the and , and you shall bring the and set its .
5And you shall the for the of the , and the for the of the .
6You shall the of the of the of the of ,
7and the the of and the , and in .
8And you shall the all , and the for the of the .
9Then you shall the and the and is in it, and it and its , so that it may become .
10You shall also the of and its , and the , so that the may become .
11You shall also the and its , and it.
12Then you shall and his to the of the of and shall them with
13and on the . And you shall him and him, that he may serve me as .
14You shall his also and on them,
15and them, you their , that they may serve me as . And their shall admit them to a throughout their .
16This ; according to the Lord him, he .
17In the in the , on the day of the , the was .
18 the . He its , and its , and in its , and its .
19And he the the and the of the it, the Lord had .
20He the and it into the , and the the and the the .
21And he the into the and the of the , and the of the , the Lord had .
22He the in the of , the of the , the ,
23and the it the Lord, the Lord had .
24He the in the of , the on the of the ,
25and set the the Lord, the Lord had .
26He the in the of the ,
27and on it, the Lord had .
28He the for the of the .
29And he the of the of the of the of , and it the and the , the Lord had .
30He the the of and the , and in for ,
31with and and his their and their .
32When they went the of , and when they the , they , the Lord .
33And he the the and the , and the of the of the . So the .
34Then the the of , and the of the Lord the .
35And was to the of the it, and the of the Lord the .
36Throughout all their , whenever the was taken the , the of would .
37But the was , then they did the that it was taken .
38For the of the Lord was the by , and was in it by , in the of the of throughout their .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Exodus 40.
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!
Key Words
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
רִאשׁוֹן: first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
אֶחָד: properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
חֹדֶשׁ: the new moon; by implication, a month
קוּם: to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
מִשְׁכָּן: a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls)
אֹהֶל: a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Cross References
Exodus 40Solomon's temple is likewise filled with the cloud of glory, signaling God's dwelling among His people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The priests could not stand to minister in the temple because of the overwhelming glory-cloud.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Setting up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month aligns with the Exodus calendar's start.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly describes putting the testimony (the tablets of the law) and mercy seat into the ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Expands on the cloud covering the tabernacle and guiding Israel throughout their subsequent wilderness journeys.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects this manifestation with the original pillar of cloud and fire that led them from Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Defines the construction and placement of the golden altar of incense before the veil.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Details the placement and purpose of the bronze laver filled with water for priestly washing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The original command and recipe for the holy anointing oil used to sanctify the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The instructions for washing, clothing, and anointing Aaron and his sons for the priesthood.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
New Testament description of the first covenant tabernacle, highlighting the table and the showbread.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The original command to place the laver for Aaron and his sons to wash before service.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Word became flesh and 'tabernacled' among us, revealing the ultimate, approachable glory of God.
Supported by JFB
God declares He will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat, warning against unauthorized entry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms the completion, rearing, and anointing of the tabernacle on this exact day.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The command to hang the veil to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The instructions for the table of showbread and setting the bread in order before Yahweh.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The blueprint for the golden candlestick and its lamps to give light in the sanctuary.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Christ entering the true holy place typified by the high priest serving before the golden altar.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Details the construction of the bronze altar of burnt offering placed before the tabernacle door.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The instructions for setting up the court hangings and gate surrounding the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The command to hang the veil to divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy.
Supported by Calvin
Details the setting of the twelve cakes of showbread in order upon the pure table.
Supported by Calvin
The specific directive for lighting the seven lamps to give light before the candlestick.
Supported by Calvin
The institution and description of the golden altar of incense placed before the veil.
Supported by Calvin
The command for the daily continual burnt offerings at the door of the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The heavenly temple filled with smoke from the glory of God, preventing any from entering.
Supported by JFB
Describes the daily sin offering for atonement to sanctify and cleanse the altar.
Supported by John Calvin
The historical execution of washing, clothing, and anointing Aaron and his sons as prescribed.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Compares the faithfulness of Moses finishing God's house to Christ's faithfulness over His own house.
Supported by JFB