Exodus 40

1 The Lord said to Moses,

2 "On the first day of the first month set up the Tent of the Lord's presence.

3 Place in it the Covenant Box containing the Ten Commandments and put the curtain in front of it.

4 Bring in the table and place the equipment on it. Also bring in the lampstand and set up the lamps on it.

5 Put the gold altar for burning incense in front of the Covenant Box and hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tent.

6 Put in front of the Tent the altar for burning offerings.

7 Put the washbasin between the Tent and the altar and fill it with water.

8 Put up the surrounding enclosure and hang the curtain at its entrance.

9 "Then dedicate the Tent and all its equipment by anointing it with the sacred oil, and it will be holy.

10 Next, dedicate the altar and all its equipment by anointing it, and it will be completely holy.

11 Also dedicate the washbasin and its base in the same way.

12 "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent, and have them take a ritual bath.

13 Dress Aaron in the priestly garments, anoint him, and in this way consecrate him, so that he can serve me as priest.

14 Bring his sons and put the shirts on them.

15 Then anoint them, just as you anointed their father, so that they can serve me as priests. This anointing will make them priests for all time to come."

16 Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded.

17 So on the first day of the first month of the second year after they left Egypt, the Tent of the Lord's presence was set up.

18 Moses put down its bases, set up its frames, attached its crossbars, and put up its posts.

19 He spread out the covering over the Tent and put the outer covering over it, just as the Lord had commanded.

20 Then he took the two stone tablets and put them in the Covenant Box. He put the poles in the rings of the Box and put the lid on it.

21 Then he put the Box in the Tent and hung up the curtain. In this way he screened off the Covenant Box, just as the Lord had commanded.

22 He put the table in the Tent, on the north side outside the curtain,

23 and placed on it the bread offered to the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded.

24 He put the lampstand in the Tent, on the south side, opposite the table,

25 and there in the Lord's presence he lit the lamps, just as the Lord had commanded.

26 He put the gold altar in the Tent, in front of the curtain,

27 and burned the sweet-smelling incense, just as the Lord had commanded.

28 He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tent,

29 and there in front of the curtain he placed the altar for burning offerings. On it he sacrificed the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the Lord had commanded.

30 He put the washbasin between the Tent and the altar and filled it with water.

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

32 whenever they went into the Tent or to the altar, just as the Lord had commanded.

33 Moses set up the enclosure around the Tent and the altar and hung the curtain at the entrance of the enclosure. So he finished all the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent and the dazzling light of the Lord's presence filled it. ¹

35 Because of this, Moses could not go into the Tent.

36 The Israelites moved their camp to another place only when the cloud lifted from the Tent.

37 As long as the cloud stayed there, they did not move their camp.

38 During all their wanderings they could see the cloud of the Lord's presence over the Tent during the day and a fire burning above it during the night.

Exodus 40 Commentary

Chapter 40

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)

Verses 1-15 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.

Verses 16-33 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.

Verses 34-38 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

• 1. 40.34 1 K 8.10, 11;Isaiah 6.4;Ezekiel 43.4, 5;Revelation 15.8.

Chapter Summary

\\INTRODUCTION OF EXODUS 40\\

This chapter contains the order for setting up the tabernacle, and
placing the furniture of it where it was the will of God it should be
put, Ex 40:1-8 and for the anointing it, and all its vessels, and
also Aaron and his sons, Ex 40:9-16 all which were accordingly
done, the tabernacle was reared up, and everything was put in its
proper place, Ex 40:16-33 upon which a cloud covered the tent, and
the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that Moses could not
enter; which cloud afterwards was a direction in their journeys, by
night and by day, Ex 40:34-38.