Exodus 40WEB
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Exodus40

World English Bible · Public Domain

1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

2“On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

3You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.

4You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps.

5You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6“You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

7You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein.

8You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9“You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy.

10You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy.

11You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12“You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.

13You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.

14You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them.

15You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

16Moses did so. According to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.

17In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up.

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

19He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

20He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.

21He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

22He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil.

23He set the bread in order on it before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

24He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.

25He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

26He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil;

27and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

28He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

29He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

30He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash.

31Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there.

32When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

33He raised up the court around 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 Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

35Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.

36When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys;

37but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up.

38For the cloud of Yahweh was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud 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