Exodus 40:1-38
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
4 And 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.
5 And 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.
6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
9 And 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.
10 And 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.a
11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
13 And 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.
14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
15 And 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.
16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
17 And 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.
18 And 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.
19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
20 And 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:
21 And 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.
22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
29 And 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.
30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
33 And 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.
34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And 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.
36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onwardb in all their journeys:
37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
38 For 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.
THE TEXT OF EXODUS
TRANSLATION
40 And Je-ho-vah spake unto Mo-ses, saying, (2) On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. (3) And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil. (4) And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. (5) And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. (6) And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. (7) And thou shalt set the Iaver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein. (8) And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court. (9) And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy. (10) And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy. (11) And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. (12) And thou shalt bring Aar-on and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water. (13) And thou shalt put upon Aar-on the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. (14) And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them; (15) and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. (16) Thus did Mo-ses: according to all that Je-ho-vah commanded him, so did he.
(17) And 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. (18) And Mo-ses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars. (19) And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it, as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (20) And 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: (21) and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (22) And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil. (23) And he set the bread in order upon it before Je-ho-vah; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (24) And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. (25) And he lighted the lamps before Je-ho-vah; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (26) And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil: (27) and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (28) And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle. (29) And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (30) And he set the Iaver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash. (31) And Mo-ses and Aar-on and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat; (32) when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Je-ho-vah commanded Mo-ses. (33) And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Mo-ses finished the work.
(34) Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Je-ho-vah filled the tabernacle. (35) And Mo-ses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Je-ho-vah filled the tabernacle. (36) And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Is-ra-el went onward, throughout all their journeys: (37) but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. (38) For the cloud of Je-ho-vah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Is-ra-el, throughout all their journeys.
EXPLORING EXODUS: CHAPTER FORTY
QUESTIONS ANSWERABLE FROM THE BIBLE
1.
After careful reading, propose a brief title or topic for the chapter.
2.
Who designated the day for the setting up of the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:1-2)
3.
On what day was it to be set up? (Exodus 40:2; Exodus 40:17). How long had it been since Israel left Egypt? (Exodus 12:6-8; Exodus 12:29-33)
4.
By what name is the ark called in Exodus 40:3?
5.
Where was the altar of burnt-offering placed? (Exodus 40:6; Exodus 40:29)
6.
Where was the laver placed? (Exodus 40:7; Exodus 40:30)
7.
What was the anointing to cause the tabernacle to be? (Exodus 40:9)
8.
What was to be done to Aaron and his sons? (Exodus 40:12-15). Is this the same ritual described in Exodus 29:1-37 and Lev. chapter eight?
9.
Who set up the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:18)
10.
What did Moses put into the ark? (Exodus 40:20; Compare Deuteronomy 10:4-5.)
11.
On which side of the Tent of meeting was the table placed? (Exodus 40:22)
12.
Who performed the first priestly work of setting bread in order, lighting lamps, and burning incense? (Exodus 40:22-29)
13.
Who washed at the laver? (Exodus 40:31) What parts of their bodies were washed?
14.
What covered the tent of meeting when the tabernacle was finished? (Exodus 40:34; Compare 1 Kings 8:10-11.)
15.
What is the glory of Jehovah? (Exodus 40:34; Exodus 24:17; Numbers 16:43; Luke 2:9; Revelation 21:23)
16.
Why could not Moses enter the tent of meeting for a time? (Exodus 40:35)
17.
How did the cloud signal for Israel to prepare to move? How did the cloud direct their journeys? (Exodus 40:36-37; Numbers 9:15-23)
18.
How did the cloud appear by day and by night? (Exodus 40:38)
19.
Who could see the cloud? When? (Exodus 40:38)
EXODUS FORTY: TABERNACLE SET UP! GLORY OF THE LORD!
1.
Command to set up the tabernacle; Exodus 40:1-15.
2.
Compliance of Moses; Exodus 40:17-33.
3.
Cloud of glory! Exodus 40:34-38.
GOD'S INVOLVEMENT IN HIS SANCTUARY (Exodus 40:1-16; Exodus 40:34)
1.
He determines who sets it up. (Exodus 40:2)
2.
He determines when it is set up. (Exodus 40:2)
3.
He directs the arrangement of all parts. (Exodus 40:3-8)
4.
He commands the anointing of all parts. (Exodus 40:9-11)
5.
He requires the consecration of its priests. (Exodus 40:12-15)
6.
He covers the tent with glory. (Exodus 40:34)
As THE LORD COMMANDED! (Exodus 40:16-33)
An overview of obedience! A chronicle of compliance!
See Exodus 40:16; Exodus 40:19; Exodus 40:21; Exodus 40:23; Exodus 40:25; Exodus 40:27; Exodus 40:29; Exodus 40:32 - eight statements of obedience!
THE GLORY OF THE LORD! (Exodus 40:34-38)
A.
At the tabernacle.
1.
Filled God's house; Exodus 40:34; 2 Chronicles 7:1; Ezekiel 43:5.
2.
Kept men at a distance; Exodus 40:35; 2 Chronicles 7:2.
3.
Directed God's people; Exodus 40:36-37.
4.
Was visible to all! Exodus 40:38.
B.
At other places and times.
1.
Indicated God's presence when the law was given; Exodus 24:16-17.
2.
Indicated God's presence in anger; Numbers 16:19; Numbers 16:42; Numbers 14:10; Numbers 20:6; Exodus 16:7; Exodus 16:10.
3.
Indicated God's presence in blessing; Leviticus 9:23; Leviticus 9:6.
4.
Revealed to Moses; Exodus 33:18; Exodus 33:22.
5.
Revealed to Ezekiel; Ezekiel 1:28; Ezekiel 3:23; Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 43:4-5.
6.
Shone the night Christ was born; Luke 2:9.
7.
The glory of the Lord is upon his people; Isaiah 60:1-2.
8.
Christians behold it as in a mirror; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
9.
Will lighten the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:23.
Let the glory of Jehovah endure for ever! (Psalms 104:31)
EXPLORING EXODUS: NOTES ON CHAPTER FORTY
1.
What is in Exodus 40?
The chapter deals with the setting up of the tabernacle. It tells God's commands about how it was to be set up (Exodus 40:1-15), and tells of Moses-' compliance (Exodus 40:16-33). The chapter closes excitingly with information about the cloud of God's glory filling the tabernacle and leading Israel through their journeys.
Note that eight times in the chapter the statement is made that Moses did just as the Lord commanded him.
The chapter is composed in accordance with the technique frequently used in various Biblical sections, and in general with the literary tradition of the Ancient East: one paragraph tells of the divine command, and the next records its implementation. (See Cassuto, op. cit., p. 478.) Skeptical critics accuse it of being made of three parallel literary layers (Exodus 40:1-38), each written separately, and all being additions to P. (See Martin Noth, op. cit., pp. 282-283.)
2.
When was the tabernacle to be set up? By whom? (Exodus 40:1-2; Exodus 40:17)
It was to be set up by Moses on the first day of the first month of the second year after their departure from Egypt. It had been eleven and a half months since they left Egypt. nine months since they arrived at Mt. Sinai, and less than six months since Moses came down from Sinai after his second forty-day stay. Compare Exodus 12:2; Exodus 12:6.
3.
What was to screen (or cover) the ark? (Exodus 40:3; Exodus 40:21)
The VEIL was to screen the ark. The other screen at the entrance of the Holy Place is referred to in Exodus 40:5. Although the Hebrew verb translated screen (sakak) may mean cover, it does not here indicate that the veil lay over the ark like a cover. The mercy-seat did that. But the veil did screen the ark from view from the Holy Place.
4.
What did Moses set on the table? (Exodus 40:4; Exodus 40:23)
He set the showbread in order upon it. Compare Exodus 25:30. It surely appears that the instructions about the showbread in Leviticus 24:5-9 are here presupposed, and must have been issued before the tabernacle was set up.
Exodus 40:4 reads literally, And thou shalt arrange its arrangement (referring to the showbread).
5.
Where were the altar of burnt-offering and the laver located? (Exodus 40:6-7)
The altar was in the court, in front of the entrance to the tent of meeting (the Holy Place). The laver was between the altar and the tent of meeting. Note that the laver had water in it; but there is no indication that water was in its base. Compare Exodus 30:17-18. The translation water therein appears to be a little too definite; the Hebrew just says You shall put water there. Note the separate anointing of the laver and its base (Exodus 40:11).
6.
What effect was the anointing to have on the tabernacle and its furniture? (Exodus 40:9-10)
It was to make it holy. The it in Exodus 40:9 refers to the tabernacle and all its equipment. On anointing, see Exodus 30:26-28.
Exodus 40:10 says that the altar of burnt-offering would be MOST holy after its anointing. Because all of the tabernacle equipment is said to be most holy in Exodus 30:29, we suppose that in Exodus 40:9-10 holy and most holy are parallel terms and not distinctions.
7.
Does Exodus 40:12-15 refer to the consecration ritual of the priests?
Although both this passage and the passages about the priests-' consecration mention washing, robing, and anointing the priests, it still does not seem that Exodus 40:12-15 refers to the consecration ritual described in detail in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8. There is no allusion in Exodus 40 to the elaborate program of sacrifices described in the other passages, nor to the application of the blood, nor to the seven-day stay at the tabernacle. Also it seems that Nadab and Abihu died during the consecration ritual (Leviticus 10). There is no hint of such an event in Exodus 40. The consecration of Exodus 40:12-15 must have been preparatory and preliminary to the full ritual.
Concerning the everlasting priesthood (literally, priesthood of eternity), see Exodus 29:9 and Numbers 25:13.
8.
How fully did Moses carry out the instructions about setting up the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:16-17)
He obeyed in all points. The order in which his acts of obedience are listed (in Exodus 40:17-33) corresponds to that of the directions, in accordance with usual ancient literary practice. (Cassuto, op. cit., p. 481)
9.
What did Moses place in the ark? (Exodus 40:20)
He placed the testimony in the ark, the tablets of the ten commandments. This verse seems to indicate that the pot of manna (Exodus 16:33) and Aaron's budded rod (Numbers 17:10) were not actually inside the ark, but were kept beside it. Compare Hebrews 9:4. In the time of Solomon nothing was in the ark except the ten commandments (1 Kings 8:9).
10.
What did Moses do with the lamps? (Exodus 40:25)
He lighted the lamps before Jehovah. Some translations (A.S.V. margin) have rendered this to mean he set up the lamps. But the verb used here refers to lighting the lamps in Numbers 8:3 and Leviticus 24:2, and probably means that here.
Needless to say, the lighting was not done the instant the lampstand was set in place, but after the erection and anointing of the tabernacle.
11.
What sacrifices did Moses offer? (Exodus 40:29)
He offered the burnt-offering and the meal-offering. Compare Exodus 20:24; Exodus 29:39-41. Moses himself performed the first priestly ceremonies in the tabernacle. After that the priests (the family of Aaron) and the Levites performed these functions. Observe that Moses offered incense (Exodus 40:27), another priestly function.
12.
Who washed at the lover? (Exodus 40:30-32)
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron's sons. Compare Exodus 30:19-21. The detail of Moses-' washing is not given in Exodus 30:19.
13.
What command and what promise were fulfilled when Moses finished the work? (Exodus 40:33)
The words of Exodus 25:8 were fulfilled: Let them make a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
See notes on Exodus 39:32 concerning the expression finished. See the outline on the Glory of the Lord near the start of the notes on this chapter.
14.
What covered the tent of meeting and the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:34)
The cloud of the glory of the Lord covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
This verse is quite poetic in wording (in Hebrew), and the two clauses show parallelism. (The second line repeats the thought of the first in slightly different words.)
The presence of the cloud was a fulfillment of the promise in Exodus 29:43; Exodus 29:45. God showed His approval of the Tent by descending in a cloud of glory. God's approval was based on what the tabernacle showed about the hearts of the people and about Himself, rather than on the material magnificence of the building.
God's glory had previously descended on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16). In a similar way the glory came upon the tabernacle. As Mt. Sinai had been a holy place where Israel met God, the tabernacle was to be a portable holy place (a portable Mt. Sinai!) where they would meet with God wherever they might be.
15.
Why could not Moses enter the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:35)
LATER HISTORY OF THE TABERNACLE
1.
It was probably set up at Gilgal after Israel crossed the Jordan into the promised land. (Joshua 4:19; Joshua 5:10; Joshua 9:6; Joshua 10:6; Joshua 10:43).
2.
It was erected at Shiloh in the center of the land, and remained there through the period of judges. (Joshua 18:1; Joshua 19:51; 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 4:3; 1 Samuel 4:12).
While at Shiloh, it was altered so as to have doors (1 Samuel 3:15); and it came to be called the temple. (1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3).
3.
The ark was captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:10-11), but was returned to Israel to Kiriath-Jearim west of Jerusalem. (1 Samuel 7:1).
Shiloh seems to have been destroyed about 1050 B.C., possibly in the time of Samuel and Eli. (Jeremiah 7:12-14)
4.
After the time of Eli it was removed to Nob (probably just north of Jerusalem). (1 Samuel 21:1-9) The ark remained at Kiriath-Jearim till the time of David. (1 Samuel 7:1-2; 1 Chronicles 13:5-6)
5.
By the time of David (about 1000 B.C.) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and the altar of burnt-offering had been moved to Gibeon, located five miles northwest of Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 21:29; 1 Chronicles 16:39-40; 2 Chronicles 1:3; 1 Kings 3:4; 1 Kings 9:2)
6.
David brought the ark to Jerusalem, where he had prepared a new tent for it. (2 Samuel 6:17; 1 Chronicles 16:1)
7.
Solomon built the temple, and replaced every part of the tabernacle except the ark of the covenant, which he placed in the Oracle (Holy of Holies) of the temple. (1 Kings 8:4; 1 Kings 8:6)
8.
Solomon's temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. After this we hear no more of the ark of the covenant. It was not replaced in the second temple by Zerubbabel (516 B.C.) 2MMalachi 2:4-8 has a fanciful tale about how the prophet Jeremiah hid the ark of the covenant and the altar of incense in a cavern on Mt. Sinai.
Because the glory cloud filled it for a time. Compare 1 Kings 8:10-11. In a somewhat similar fashion, Moses did not immediately enter the cloud on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:16-18).
16.
What guided the Israelites in their journeys? (Exodus 40:36-37)
The cloud. See Numbers 9:15-23; Numbers 10:11. The lifting up of the cloud was a signal for Israel to pack for moving. The people followed the cloud as it moved slowly in the direction God desired. When the cloud descended, they camped again.
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar,
Lead me all my journey through.
(From Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
The statement about the leading of the cloud presupposes that at least this part of Exodus was written late in their wilderness journeyings.
The verb form went onward (or moved) indicates frequentative, repeated movements.
17.
How constant was the presence of the cloud? (Exodus 40:38)
It was always there, as a cloud by day and a fire by night. It was visible to all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. God never forsook them.
Exodus 40:38 ends with the same words as Exodus 40:36. The words reverberate like a final echo of what was narrated previously in Exodus 13:21-22.
The book of Exodus ends with a confident look ahead toward Israel's journey to Canaan. This confidence belongs to the people of God in every age.
The book of Exodus ends with the house of God full of glory! May the house of God always be filled with the glory of God. Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over all her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be spread for a covering. (Isaiah 4:5)