Exodus 40:3

3 Put the ark of the Testimony ^[a] in it and screen off the ark with the veil.

Exodus 40:3 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 40:3

And thou shall put therein the ark of the testimony
The ark or chest where the law was, a testimony of the divine will, and which was to be put into the most holy place of the tabernacle:

and cover the ark with the vail;
not with the propitiatory or mercy seat, as the Targum of Jonathan; for though that was a covering or lid to the ark, yet not a vail; this was the vail that divided between the holy place and the most holy, and so covered or hid the ark from the sight even of the priests that went into the holy place.

Exodus 40:3 In-Context

1 Then the LORD said to Moses,

2 “On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

3 Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.

4 Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps.

5 Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, the ark of the covenant; also in verses 5 and 21