And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Read it in contextErection and Consecration of the Tabernacle
Start reading at Exodus 40:1 (Exodus 40:1 to Exodus 40:38).
The entire chapter details the final instructions for and the actual setting up of the Tabernacle, culminating in the glory of the LORD filling it.
40:1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
40:2On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
40:3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
40:4And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
40:5And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
40:6And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
40:7And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
40:8And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
40:9And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
40:10And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
40:11And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
40:12And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
40:13And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
40:14And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
40:15And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
40:16Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
40:17And 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.
40:18And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
40:19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:20And 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:
40:21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:22And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
40:23And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
40:24And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
40:25And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:26And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
40:27And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:28And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
40:29And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:30And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
40:31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
40:32When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
40:33And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
40:34Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
40:35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
40:36And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
40:37But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
40:38For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 35:1–40:38): Moses instructs the Israelite congregation, and willing contributors and skilled workers prepare the sanctuary. Bezalel, Aholiab, Aaron, and Aaron's sons have named roles in its construction and service. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is the LORD commanding Moses to place the Ark of the Testimony inside the newly erected Tabernacle and to cover it with the veil. This is part of the detailed instructions for setting up and consecrating the Tabernacle.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His precise instructions for the arrangement of the Tabernacle, particularly the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Testimony would reside, emphasizing His holiness and the necessary separation for His divine presence among His people.
What is the literary style? The literary style of Exodus is narrative history and law.
When
When was it written? The book of Exodus was written between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? The instructions for setting up the Tabernacle were given for the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus. The actual event of setting up the Tabernacle and placing the Ark occurred on this specific day.
Where
Where did it happen? The event happened in the wilderness, at the location where the Tabernacle was erected.
Where was the author located? Moses was located in the Wilderness of Sinai when he wrote the book of Exodus.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Erection and Consecration of the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1 to Exodus 40:38).
Start reading at Exodus 40:1. The entire chapter details the final instructions for and the actual setting up of the Tabernacle, culminating in the glory of the LORD filling it.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse details a crucial step in the final assembly of the Tabernacle, which serves as the culmination of the book of Exodus. It establishes God's dwelling place among His people, fulfilling the purpose for which Israel was delivered from Egypt and providing a means for God to commune with them. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The Ark of the Testimony, representing God's presence and covenant, was separated from the people by the veil (Exodus 26:31, 33-34), symbolizing the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity. Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, tore the veil (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20), providing direct and open access to God's presence. The Ark, containing the Law, also foreshadows Christ as the fulfillment of the Law. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to approach God through the new and living way opened by Christ, recognizing the holiness of God and the privilege of intimate access to His presence. We are to obey God's revealed will for worship and service, understanding that He desires to dwell among His people and that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 40
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.