Exodus 40:3

3 and thou shalt place the ark of the testimony, and shalt cover 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 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month, at the new moon, thou shalt set up the tabernacle of witness,

3 and thou shalt place the ark of the testimony, and shalt cover the ark with the veil,

4 and thou shalt bring in the table and shalt set forth that which is to be set forth on it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick and place its lamps on it.

5 And thou shalt place the golden altar, to burn incense before the ark; and thou shalt put a covering of a veil on the door of the tabernacle of witness.