Exodus 40
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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 testimony 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 testimony, 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 coats 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 testimony 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 testimony, as Yahweh commanded Moses. 22He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, 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 side of the tabernacle southward. 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.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”
Exodus 40:34
Summary
Exodus chapter 40 concludes the book of Exodus with the detailed instructions for the construction, anointing, and use of the Tabernacle, which is the dwelling place of God among His people. The chapter begins with the command from the LORD to Moses to set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the first month. Moses meticulously follows these commands, indicating the importance of obedience and the specific instructions given by God. Once the Tabernacle is erected, Moses anoints it and its furnishings with holy oil, symbolizing the sanctification of these spaces dedicated for divine presence.
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Chapter outline
How Exodus 40 unfolds
Exodus 40:1–9 Instructions for Setting Up the Tabernacle
Yahweh instructs Moses to raise the Tabernacle and its furnishings, emphasizing the significance of consecration and proper order.
Exodus 40:10–15 Anointing and Consecration of the Altar and Priests
Moses is commanded to anoint the altar and appoint Aaron and his sons as priests, establishing their sacred role in worship.
Exodus 40:16–21 Moses Completes the Tabernacle Setup
Moses follows Yahweh's commands to construct the Tabernacle, placing the ark and veil as specified.
Exodus 40:22–27 Arranging the Furnishings
Moses positions the table, lampstand, and altar of incense, ensuring everything is in accordance with divine instruction.
Exodus 40:28–30 Finalizing the Tabernacle and Offerings
Moses sets up the entrance and offers sacrifices at the altar, fulfilling the commands given by Yahweh.
Exodus 40:31–33 Priestly Cleansing and Completion
Moses and the priests wash before entering the Tabernacle, completing the physical setup of the worship space.
Exodus 40:34–38 The Glory of Yahweh Fills the Tabernacle
The cloud of glory descends upon the Tabernacle, signifying God's presence, and guiding Israel's journey.
Key verses
Exodus 40:34The key verse illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, emphasizing His glory.
Main themes in Exodus 40
The Presence of God
The presence of God is vividly portrayed when the cloud fills the Tabernacle in verse 34. This event represents God's approval and signifies His choice to dwell among His people, reinforcing the intimate relationship between God and Israel. The movement of the cloud also illustrates God's guidance, indicating that the Israelites are to follow Him on their journey through the wilderness, emphasizing reliance on divine direction.
Obedience to Divine Commands
Exodus 40 highlights obedience when Moses follows God's instructions meticulously throughout the chapter, as seen in verses 16-19. Each task carried out by Moses, from setting up the Tabernacle to arranging the furnishings, reflects the critical importance of adhering to divine guidance in worship and community life. This obedience underscores the foundation of Israel's covenant relationship with God, establishing a model for future generations on the necessity of following divine commands.
Sanctification and Holiness
Sanctification surfaces as Moses anoints the Tabernacle and its furnishings in verses 9-10, marking them as holy and distinct. The rituals performed by the priests further establish a sacred space for worship, indicating that these elements are set apart for God's service. This theme illustrates the seriousness with which God regards holiness in His presence, reminding the Israelites of the need to approach Him with reverence and purity.
God's Covenant Relationship with His People
The covenant relationship is reinforced as Aaron and his sons are consecrated as priests in verse 15, highlighting their role in mediating for the people. The establishment of the Tabernacle serves as a physical manifestation of God's commitment to dwell with Israel. This chapter concludes Exodus by affirming the ongoing nature of this sacred relationship.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 40
- Exodus 26Exodus 26 provides detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, which are fulfilled in this chapter.
- Numbers 9Numbers 9 discusses the cloud's guidance, echoing the divine presence established in Exodus 40.
- Exodus 30Exodus 30 includes instructions for anointing oil, connecting to the consecration rituals in this chapter.
- Hebrews 9Hebrews 9 reflects on the Tabernacle as a symbol of Christ's ministry, developing themes of worship and sacrifice.
- Exodus 29Exodus 29 outlines the ordination of priests, which parallels the consecration process of Aaron and his sons here.
- Exodus 25Exodus 25 describes the ark of the covenant, the focal point of the Tabernacle, central to this chapter's themes.
Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 40
- What specific tasks does Yahweh command Moses to perform in setting up the Tabernacle?
- How does Moses demonstrate obedience in the construction of the Tabernacle?
- What significance does the anointing of the priests hold in this chapter?
- How does the cloud's presence signify God's relationship with the Israelites?
- What do the furnishings of the Tabernacle represent in the context of worship?
- How does this chapter emphasize the theme of holiness in worship practices?
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