Moses
The Tabernacle Erected and Filled with the Glory of the Lord
The Lord’s glory fills the completed tabernacle, confirming that the holy God will dwell among and guide His redeemed people through ordered worship, consecrated priesthood, and His visible presence.
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The Lord’s glory fills the completed tabernacle, confirming that the holy God will dwell among and guide His redeemed people through ordered worship, consecrated priesthood, and His visible presence.
Exodus 40 argues that the goal of redemption is the Lord dwelling among His people. The tabernacle is set up and consecrated according to divine command. The priests are washed, clothed, and anointed for ministry. Moses obeys in every detail. Then the cloud covers the tent and the glory of the Lord fills it. God’s presence is graciously near, yet still holy, since even Moses cannot enter when the glory fills the tabernacle. The chapter closes with divine presence guiding Israel in all their journeys.
Israel, the covenant people redeemed from Egypt, restored after the golden calf rebellion, and now receiving the visible confirmation that the Lord will dwell among them.
At Mount Sinai, after the tabernacle structure, furnishings, courtyard, altar, basin, priestly garments, anointing oil, and incense have been completed and inspected.
The Lord’s glory fills the completed tabernacle, confirming that the holy God will dwell among and guide His redeemed people through ordered worship, consecrated priesthood, and His visible presence.
Moses
Israel, the covenant people redeemed from Egypt, restored after the golden calf rebellion, and now receiving the visible confirmation that the Lord will dwell among them.
At Mount Sinai, after the tabernacle structure, furnishings, courtyard, altar, basin, priestly garments, anointing oil, and incense have been completed and inspected.
- Israel has moved through redemption, covenant, rebellion, intercession, covenant renewal, construction, and inspection. The final question is whether the Lord will truly dwell among a people who recently broke covenant.
Ancient sanctuary dedication involved setting up sacred space, placing holy objects, consecrating priests, and marking divine presence. In Exodus 40, the Lord Himself commands the arrangement, Moses obeys, and the cloud of glory fills the tabernacle.
Exodus 40 completes the book of Exodus. The Lord who revealed Himself at the burning bush, judged Egypt, redeemed Israel, made covenant at Sinai, and renewed covenant after rebellion now fills the tabernacle with His glory and dwells among His people.
The chapter moves from the Lord’s command to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, to the placement of the ark, veil, table, lampstand, incense altar, altar of burnt offering, basin, courtyard, and entrance curtain, to the anointing and consecration of the tabernacle and priests, to Moses’ careful obedience, and finally to the cloud covering the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. The book closes with the cloud guiding Israel through all their travels.
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Exodus 40 clarifies the gospel by showing that God saves His people in order to dwell with them. Deliverance from Egypt was not the final goal. The final movement of Exodus is the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. Yet the tabernacle also shows that sinners need sacrifice, cleansing, priesthood, and mediated access. Christ fulfills all of this. He is God with us, the true tabernacle, the sacrifice, the cleanser, the priest, and the one through whom God’s people will finally dwell with Him forever.
The Lord commands the setup, arrangement, anointing, and priestly consecration of the tabernacle.
Moses sets up every part of the tabernacle and arranges the furnishings just as the Lord commanded.
The cloud and glory fill the tabernacle, and the cloud becomes Israel’s guide through all their travels.
- 1-8: The Lord commands Moses to set up the tabernacle and arrange its sacred objects.
- 9-11: The tabernacle, furnishings, altar, utensils, basin, and stand are to be anointed and consecrated.
- 12-15: Aaron and his sons are to be washed, clothed, anointed, and consecrated for priestly ministry.
- 16-33: Moses sets up the tabernacle, places the furnishings, offers sacrifices, establishes washing, sets up the courtyard, and finishes the work.
- 34-35: The cloud covers the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle.
- 36-38: The Israelites follow the cloud by day and fire by night throughout all their travels.
Pastoral Entry
קוּם (qum) means to rise, arise, stand, remain, establish, confirm, appoint, or raise up. People get up from the ground, begin journeys, stand before others, rise in opposition, or help someone to stand. Cain rises against Abel in Genesis 4:8, elders are honored when others rise in Leviticus 19:32, and Deuteronomy 22:4 requires help for a fallen animal. The verb reports movement or standing without making the action righteous.
In causative and legal settings, H6965 can establish or confirm. God establishes covenants with Noah and Abraham, gives power to produce wealth in order to confirm his covenant in Deuteronomy 8:18, and brings his promised word to pass. Deuteronomy 19:15 says a matter is established by adequate witnesses, while Deuteronomy 27:26 warns against failing to uphold the Torah's words. Establishment depends on the responsible agent and evidence; the verb is not a technique for speaking a preferred reality into existence.
Prophets use rising for commissioned leaders, restored ruins, judgment, and selected resurrection hopes. Isaiah 26:19 speaks of the dead rising, Hosea 6:2 uses revival language in a call to return, and Job 19:25 places standing language inside a difficult and much-debated confession. Other passages raise enemies, judges, shepherds, or a righteous Branch. Each object and stem must be read locally. Physical inability to stand is never moral failure, and “rise up” language cannot authorize violence, reckless activism, or contempt for rest and care.
Sense to set up, establish, raise
Definition To raise, establish, or set something in place.
References Exodus 40:2, 17-18
Lexicon to set up, establish, raise
Why it matters The tabernacle is formally erected according to the Lord’s command.
Pastoral Entry
מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) means dwelling place or habitation and most often names Israel's portable tabernacle. Exodus 25:8 gives the purpose of the sanctuary so that God may dwell among Israel, while Exodus 25:9 uses H4908 for the tabernacle pattern. The adjacent verses belong together theologically, but only the latter is a direct occurrence of this noun.
Exodus devotes extensive attention to the mishkan's curtains, frames, furnishings, assembly, priestly service, and movement. When the work is completed in Exodus 40, the cloud covers the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, so Moses cannot enter. The text presents gracious divine presence together with holy boundaries; the structure neither manufactures nor contains God.
The noun also appears for Israel's dwellings, poetic habitations, and promised divine dwelling. Ezekiel 37:27 speaks of God's dwelling place with a restored people within a covenant promise. John 1:14, Ephesians 2, and Revelation 21 develop divine-dwelling themes, but the Greek vocabulary and each passage's claims must be studied directly. The later word Shekinah is useful reception history, not a separate presence-substance found in the Hebrew text.
Sense dwelling place, tabernacle
Definition The dwelling place of the LORD among Israel.
References Exodus 40:2, 5, 9, 17-19, 21, 28-29, 33-36, 38
Lexicon dwelling place, tabernacle
Why it matters The completed tabernacle is erected and filled with the Lord’s glory.
Sense tent of meeting
Definition The appointed tent where the LORD meets with His people through mediation.
References Exodus 40:2, 6-7, 12, 22, 24, 26, 29-30, 32, 34-35
Lexicon tent of meeting
Why it matters The tent of meeting is covered by the cloud and filled with the glory of the Lord.
Sense ark of the testimony/covenant law
Definition The sacred chest containing the covenant testimony.
References Exodus 40:3, 5, 20-21
Lexicon ark of the testimony/covenant law
Why it matters The ark is placed in the Most Holy Place and shielded by the veil.
Sense veil, curtain
Definition The curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place.
References Exodus 40:3, 21, 26
Lexicon veil, curtain
Why it matters The veil shields the ark and marks restricted access to the Lord’s holy presence.
Sense to cover, screen, shield
Definition To cover, screen, or protect.
References Exodus 40:3, 21
Lexicon to cover, screen, shield
Why it matters The ark is shielded by the curtain, preserving the holiness of the Most Holy Place.
Sense table
Definition The table in the Holy Place holding the bread of the Presence.
References Exodus 40:4, 22-23
Lexicon table
Why it matters The table is placed and arranged before the Lord.
Sense lampstand
Definition The lampstand in the Holy Place.
References Exodus 40:4, 24-25
Lexicon lampstand
Why it matters The lampstand is placed opposite the table and its lamps are set before the Lord.
Sense gold altar, altar of incense
Definition The gold altar for incense before the veil.
References Exodus 40:5, 26-27
Lexicon gold altar, altar of incense
Why it matters The gold altar is placed before the curtain and incense is burned on it.
Sense altar of burnt offering
Definition The bronze altar for burnt offerings in the courtyard.
References Exodus 40:6, 10, 29
Lexicon altar of burnt offering
Why it matters The altar stands before the tent entrance and is used for burnt and grain offerings.
Sense basin, laver
Definition The basin used for washing before priestly service.
References Exodus 40:7, 11, 30-32
Lexicon basin, laver
Why it matters The basin is filled with water for Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons to wash before entering or serving.
Pastoral Entry
חָצֵר can denote a court or courtyard, an enclosure, or a settlement and its surrounding space. The local Hebrew index currently counts about 190 occurrences. In tabernacle and temple texts it refers to courts within the sanctuary complex; elsewhere it names palace courts, domestic enclosures, villages, or settlements. The word itself does not mean the divine presence, worship, or sacred space in every occurrence.
Exodus 27:9-19 specifies the tabernacle court as an enclosed area with hangings, pillars, sockets, and an entrance. The altar stood in this court, making it part of Israel’s ordered approach to the sanctuary. Psalm 84 longs for the courts of the Lord and values a place at the threshold of God’s house above dwelling in wickedness. The verse’s threshold language should not be turned into a precise temple office such as “the lowest position” unless the translation and context establish it.
Psalms 100 and 92 use the temple courts within calls to praise and images of the righteous flourishing. These poetic uses join location, worship, and longing, but they do not make the physical court a source from which divine life flows. The Lord, not the architecture, is the object of trust and praise.
For teaching, חָצֵר can help readers inhabit Israel’s sanctuary imagery and value gathered worship. Christian application should proceed through the New Testament’s explicit teaching about access to God through Christ and the church as God’s people. The church is not a lexical equivalent of the Hebrew courtyard, and a church building should not inherit the court’s holiness by analogy alone.
Sense courtyard, enclosure
Definition The enclosed court surrounding the tabernacle and altar.
References Exodus 40:8, 33
Lexicon courtyard, enclosure
Why it matters The courtyard establishes the holy boundary around the tabernacle and altar.
Sense anointing oil
Definition Sacred oil used to consecrate the tabernacle, furnishings, and priests.
References Exodus 40:9-15
Lexicon anointing oil
Why it matters The anointing oil sets apart the dwelling, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests for holy service.
Pastoral Entry
מָשַׁח (mashach) means to anoint, smear, or apply oil. In ritual and royal settings, anointing marks a person or object for an assigned office or sacred use. Priests are anointed in Exodus 28, the tabernacle and its furnishings are anointed in Exodus 30 and 40, and kings are anointed in Samuel and Kings. The verb also appears in less exalted acts of smearing, so consecration must be established by context.
First Samuel 16:13 closely joins Samuel's anointing of David with the Spirit of the Lord rushing upon him from that day. That passage supports a strong relationship between David's royal commissioning and divine empowerment. It does not prove that every occurrence of mashach automatically conveys the Spirit, since objects, priests, food offerings, and other persons can also be anointed in different settings.
Isaiah 61:1 presents a speaker who is anointed by the Lord to bring good news, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty. Luke 4 quotes this mission text and applies it to Jesus. This is a direct canonical reuse of Isaiah's anointing language in Greek translation, while Psalm 2:2 and Daniel 9:25 belong directly to the related H4899 noun rather than to H4886.
Sense to anoint
Definition To anoint or consecrate with oil.
References Exodus 40:9-15
Lexicon to anoint
Why it matters Anointing marks objects and priests as set apart for the Lord.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Pastoral Entry
קָדַשׁ (qādaš) means to be holy, sanctify, consecrate, set apart, prepare, or treat as holy. God sanctifies the seventh day in Genesis 2:3, claims Israel's firstborn, consecrates priests and sanctuary objects, and gives the Sabbath as a sign that he sanctifies his people. People may consecrate themselves, dedicate property, observe holy time, or acknowledge God as holy. Agent, object, and verbal stem determine who acts and what changes.
Consecration does not mean that every object becomes morally virtuous or every appointed person becomes sinless. Exodus and Leviticus set apart priests, garments, altars, food, and time for defined purposes. Numbers 20:12 says Moses and Aaron failed to uphold God as holy before Israel, showing that office and prior consecration do not remove accountability. Ezekiel 36:23 promises that God will vindicate the holiness of his profaned name among the nations through his own action.
Some prophetic texts use the same verb idiomatically for preparing war: Jeremiah 6:4 and Joel 3:9 call armies to consecrate or prepare battle. The wording reports mobilization and does not make the violence morally sacred. Other texts consecrate a fast or assembly, emphasizing preparation for communal worship and repentance. Modern claims of holy war, holy leadership, or consecrated bodies require independent moral and textual warrant; H6942 cannot supply it by itself.
Sense to consecrate, make holy
Definition To set apart as holy to the LORD.
References Exodus 40:9-13
Lexicon to consecrate, make holy
Why it matters The tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests must be consecrated for holy use.
Pastoral Entry
קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) names holiness, sacredness, or something designated as holy. It can refer to holy ground, sanctuary space, offerings, garments, days, and the inscription 'Holy to the Lord.' The noun's range is learned from these uses, not from a claim that its root always means separation. Exodus 3 calls the ground holy because the Lord meets Moses there. Priestly texts mark people, places, and objects for service in God's presence.
Psalms speak of worship in holy splendor, and Isaiah 35 names a Way of Holiness within a promise of restoration. Zechariah 14 extends 'Holy to the Lord' beyond priestly equipment to ordinary objects, picturing a future in which all life belongs to God. Related adjective and verb forms also speak of God's own holiness and His people's calling, but they should not be collapsed into this noun.
Qodesh joins worship, consecration, moral obedience, mercy, and reverent access without making ritual status a tool for shame, exclusion, or control.
Sense holy, sacred, set apart
Definition Set apart for the LORD.
References Exodus 40:9-10
Lexicon holy, sacred, set apart
Why it matters The tabernacle and its furnishings become holy through consecration.
Pastoral Entry
קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) names holiness, sacredness, or something designated as holy. It can refer to holy ground, sanctuary space, offerings, garments, days, and the inscription 'Holy to the Lord.' The noun's range is learned from these uses, not from a claim that its root always means separation. Exodus 3 calls the ground holy because the Lord meets Moses there. Priestly texts mark people, places, and objects for service in God's presence.
Psalms speak of worship in holy splendor, and Isaiah 35 names a Way of Holiness within a promise of restoration. Zechariah 14 extends 'Holy to the Lord' beyond priestly equipment to ordinary objects, picturing a future in which all life belongs to God. Related adjective and verb forms also speak of God's own holiness and His people's calling, but they should not be collapsed into this noun.
Qodesh joins worship, consecration, moral obedience, mercy, and reverent access without making ritual status a tool for shame, exclusion, or control.
Sense most holy, holy of holies
Definition Most holy or supremely consecrated.
References Exodus 40:10
Lexicon most holy, holy of holies
Why it matters The altar is consecrated as most holy, emphasizing the weight of sacrificial approach.
Sense to wash
Definition To wash or bathe.
References Exodus 40:12, 30-32
Lexicon to wash
Why it matters Aaron and his sons must be washed before priestly consecration and service.
Sense sacred garments, holy garments
Definition Garments set apart for priestly ministry.
References Exodus 40:13
Lexicon sacred garments, holy garments
Why it matters Aaron is clothed in the sacred garments before being anointed for priestly service.
Sense to serve as priest
Definition To minister or serve in priestly office.
References Exodus 40:13, 15
Lexicon to serve as priest
Why it matters Aaron and his sons are consecrated to serve the Lord as priests.
Sense priesthood
Definition The office or service of priests.
References Exodus 40:15
Lexicon priesthood
Why it matters The anointing establishes Aaron’s sons in priestly service throughout their generations.
Sense generations
Definition Successive generations.
References Exodus 40:15
Lexicon generations
Why it matters The priesthood continues through Aaron’s line across generations.
Pastoral Entry
צָוָה (tsavah) means to command, charge, order, direct, or appoint. God commands the human in Genesis 2:16, directs Noah in Genesis 6:22, speaks through Moses, and charges Joshua. Yet human beings also command: Pharaoh orders violence in Exodus 1:22, Joseph directs household and medical work, rulers issue decrees, and Rechabite ancestors give family instructions. The verb reports an act of direction; it does not by itself prove that the speaker is righteous or that the order should be obeyed.
Torah repeatedly uses H6680 for specific covenant instructions. Deuteronomy forbids adding to or subtracting from what God commands, places the words on the heart, and joins obedience with covenant life. Leviticus 10:1 provides an essential boundary by describing worship the Lord had not commanded. The authority, recipient, content, covenant setting, and canonical context must all be identified before applying a command beyond its passage.
Poetry and prophecy widen the settings without erasing those distinctions. Psalm 33:9 describes creation responding to God's command, Psalm 91:11 speaks of angels charged concerning the protected person, and Jeremiah 7:23 recalls the covenant summons to hear God's voice. Jeremiah 14:14 says false prophets spoke what God had not commanded, while Amos 2:12 indicts people who commanded prophets not to prophesy. Command language can therefore expose both faithful authority and coercive suppression.
Sense to command
Definition To command or give authoritative instruction.
References Exodus 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32
Lexicon to command
Why it matters Moses repeatedly acts just as the Lord commanded, marking faithful obedience.
Sense second year
Definition The second year after the Exodus departure.
References Exodus 40:17
Lexicon second year
Why it matters The tabernacle is erected nearly a year after Israel left Egypt.
Sense atonement cover, mercy seat
Definition The gold cover of the ark associated with atonement and divine meeting.
References Exodus 40:20
Lexicon atonement cover, mercy seat
Why it matters The atonement cover is placed above the covenant law in the ark.
Pastoral Entry
לֶחֶם (lechem) is the ordinary Hebrew noun for bread and can extend to food or sustenance more generally. Most occurrences are concrete and should remain concrete. Genesis 3:19 speaks of eating bread through toil, household and hospitality scenes distribute food, priestly texts regulate holy bread, and wisdom texts can use bread figuratively for what a person consumes or pursues. The noun itself does not automatically mean divine provision, Scripture, or salvation.
Exodus 16 calls the manna bread from heaven. Its collection rules teach Israel to depend on the Lord and obey his instruction: ordinary daily gathering is limited, a double portion is gathered before the Sabbath, and a memorial portion is preserved at the Lord's command. The episode therefore teaches dependence without supporting an absolute claim that manna could never be stored.
Deuteronomy 8:3 explains that the wilderness hunger and manna taught Israel that human life does not depend on bread alone but on everything proceeding from the Lord's mouth. Jesus explicitly quotes this verse in the temptation narrative. That citation creates a direct canonical connection, but it does not make lechem a lexical synonym for God's word in every passage.
Isaiah 55:2 asks why people spend for what is not bread and does not satisfy, and Amos 8:11 announces a famine not of bread but of hearing the Lord's words. Both use physical hunger to clarify a deeper deprivation or invitation. John 6 later develops bread-from-heaven imagery around Jesus. These are passage-level canonical relationships, not secret meanings carried by every occurrence of the Hebrew noun.
Sense bread
Definition Bread arranged before the LORD on the table.
References Exodus 40:23
Lexicon bread
Why it matters The bread signifies continual provision and presence before the Lord.
Sense lamps
Definition Lamps that give light from the lampstand.
References Exodus 40:25
Lexicon lamps
Why it matters The lamps are set before the Lord in the Holy Place.
Sense fragrant incense
Definition Sacred incense burned before the LORD.
References Exodus 40:27
Lexicon fragrant incense
Why it matters Moses burns fragrant incense on the gold altar before the veil.
Pastoral Entry
עֹלָה (olah) is the Hebrew noun for a burnt offering, also called an ascent offering in view of its relationship to going up. Genesis 8:20 says Noah presents burnt offerings after the flood, Exodus 24:5 includes them in Israel's covenant ceremony, and Leviticus 1:3-9 gives detailed instructions for an individual offering from the herd. The animal is slaughtered and its prescribed portions are burned on the altar. The noun identifies this offering type rather than sacrifice in general.
Burnt offerings can be individual or required, occasional or regular. Genesis 22:2 records God's command concerning Isaac as a burnt offering, but the narrative stops Abraham and provides a ram in Isaac's place; Isaac is not actually sacrificed. Numbers 28:3 commands two lambs each day as a regular burnt offering, and Deuteronomy 12:13 restricts where Israel may offer them. First Samuel 7:9 narrates Samuel offering a nursing lamb wholly to the Lord while crying out for Israel. These settings prevent the offering from being reduced to one private feeling of total consecration or voluntary generosity.
Prophets and psalms expose sacrifice detached from obedience, mercy, justice, and contrition. First Samuel 15:22 says obedience is better than sacrifice and listening better than the fat of rams. Psalm 51:16 says God does not delight in a burnt offering offered as a substitute for the broken and contrite heart named next, yet verse 19 anticipates righteous sacrifices after restoration. Isaiah 1:11 rejects abundant offerings from bloodstained worshipers, and Hosea 6:6 says God desires steadfast love and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. These texts critique corrupted worship and disordered priority; they do not make God's own sacrificial instructions meaningless.
Sense burnt offering
Definition An offering burned on the altar before the LORD.
References Exodus 40:29
Lexicon burnt offering
Why it matters Moses offers burnt offerings on the altar after setting it up.
Sense grain offering, tribute offering
Definition An offering of grain or tribute presented to the LORD.
References Exodus 40:29
Lexicon grain offering, tribute offering
Why it matters Moses offers grain offerings with the burnt offerings as the altar begins its function.
Sense to finish, complete
Definition To complete or finish a work.
References Exodus 40:33
Lexicon to finish, complete
Why it matters Moses finishes the work, and the Lord’s glory fills the tabernacle.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense cloud
Definition The cloud associated with the LORD’s visible presence and guidance.
References Exodus 40:34-38
Lexicon cloud
Why it matters The cloud covers the tent of meeting and guides Israel through their travels.
Pastoral Entry
כָּסָה (kasah) is a Hebrew verb for covering, concealing, hiding, clothing, or overwhelming. The local Hebrew index currently counts about 153 H3680 uses. Physical subjects include floodwaters, garments, clouds, darkness, locusts, and wings; figurative uses include concealing information, covering shame, covering offenses, and sins being covered in forgiveness contexts.
Psalm 32:1 calls blessed the person whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered. The parallel language presents covered sin as forgiven sin, but it does not explain the full sacrificial mechanism of atonement or say that God becomes unable to see it. Romans 4:7-8 quotes Psalm 32 while arguing about righteousness apart from works.
Psalm 85:2 says that God forgave the people's iniquity and covered all their sin. The surrounding verses recall restored favor and withdrawn wrath. The psalm's historical setting is debated, so the source should not label it post-exilic as a settled fact.
Proverbs 10:12 contrasts hatred that stirs up strife with love that covers all offenses. The proverb commends a love that does not multiply conflict, while it must not be used to conceal abuse, obstruct justice, or erase accountability. First Peter 4:8 uses closely related language about love covering many sins, whether by direct citation or proverbial reuse.
Exodus 40:34 says that the cloud covered the tent of meeting and that the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. H3680 governs the cloud's covering, not the glory's filling. The verse joins the two actions without making them interchangeable.
The broader Hebrew atonement verb H3722 kaphar overlaps thematically with covered-sin passages, but its etymology and ritual functions should not be reduced to H3680's ordinary covering sense.
For the preacher, כָּסָה (kasah) supplies contextual images of physical coverage, concealment, forgiveness, restraint of strife, and cloud over the sanctuary. The subject, object, and moral setting decide whether covering protects, forgives, overwhelms, or wrongly hides.
Sense to cover
Definition To cover or conceal.
References Exodus 40:34
Lexicon to cover
Why it matters The cloud covers the tent of meeting as the Lord’s glory fills the tabernacle.
Pastoral Entry
כָּבוֹד (kavod) is a Hebrew noun for glory, honor, dignity, abundance, or splendor. It is related to a root associated with heaviness or weight, but etymology does not make physical weight the active meaning in every occurrence. The local Hebrew artifact currently indexes about 200 H3519 uses involving both human honor and the glory of the Lord.
Exodus 16:10 first explicitly describes the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud before the congregation. Exodus 24:16 says that the glory settled on Sinai, and Exodus 40:34-35 says that the cloud covered the tent and the glory filled the tabernacle so that Moses could not enter. These texts join glory, cloud, place, and divine self-disclosure without requiring a theory that glory is a measurable substance.
In Exodus 33:18 Moses asks to see God's glory. The response promises that God's goodness will pass before him and that the divine name will be proclaimed, while Moses is protected from seeing God's face. The following chapter proclaims God's covenant character. The sequence connects glory with divine goodness and name, though the narrative should not be reduced to a simple definition that glory equals character.
At Solomon's temple dedication, the cloud fills the house and the priests cannot stand to minister because the glory of the Lord fills it (1 Kgs 8:10-11). This repeats tabernacle imagery while preserving the distinct human subjects: Moses cannot enter the tent in Exodus 40, and the priests cannot stand in the temple in 1 Kings 8.
First Samuel 4 records the name Ichabod and the declaration that glory has departed from Israel after the ark's capture. That judgment reflects the speaker's interpretation in a catastrophic moment; the following ark narrative also shows that the Lord is not powerless or confined to Israel's sanctuary.
Ezekiel 8-11 portrays the glory moving from the temple and city amid idolatry and judgment, while Ezekiel 43 portrays the glory returning to the visionary temple. The stages are explicit; claims that God departs reluctantly or that the movement is the Bible's supreme act of divine grief go beyond what the vision says.
John 1:14 says that the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and that the witnesses saw his glory. The tabernacle resonance and Greek doxa vocabulary create a strong canonical connection to Israel's glory texts. John's Gospel also speaks of Jesus' signs, cross, resurrection, and return in glory language, so the connection should be traced through John's own argument rather than by saying H3519 physically filled a human body.
For the preacher, כָּבוֹד (kavod) connects honor, divine self-disclosure, sanctuary, judgment, restoration, and Christological glory. Each passage must establish whether human dignity, royal splendor, creation's witness, or the glory of the Lord is in view.
Sense glory, weight, honor
Definition The weighty manifested splendor of the LORD’s presence.
References Exodus 40:34-35
Lexicon glory, weight, honor
Why it matters The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle, confirming His dwelling among Israel.
Sense to fill
Definition To fill or make full.
References Exodus 40:34-35
Lexicon to fill
Why it matters The Lord’s glory fills the tabernacle so fully that Moses cannot enter.
Sense to dwell, settle, abide
Definition To dwell, settle, or abide.
References Exodus 40:35
Lexicon to dwell, settle, abide
Why it matters The cloud settles on the tabernacle, signaling the Lord’s dwelling presence.
Sense to set out, journey
Definition To pull up, set out, or begin a journey.
References Exodus 40:36-37
Lexicon to set out, journey
Why it matters Israel sets out only when the cloud lifts from the tabernacle.
Pastoral Entry
עָלָה (ʿālāh) is a frequent Hebrew verb for going up, ascending, rising, or causing something to go up. Genesis 2:6 says moisture rose from the earth, Genesis 13:1 says Abram went up from Egypt, and Numbers 13:17 commands the spies to go up through the Negev. Geography and ordinary motion explain many occurrences. Upward movement is not automatically spiritual progress, moral superiority, or entry into God's presence.
The verb also marks significant journeys and worship. Moses goes up to God in Exodus 19:3 and ascends the mountain with Joshua in Exodus 24:13. First Samuel 1:3 says Elkanah went up yearly to worship and sacrifice, Psalm 24:3 asks who may ascend the Lord's hill, and Isaiah 2:3 pictures nations going up to the mountain of the Lord for instruction. These passages connect ascent with encounter and worship because of their destinations and purposes, not because higher elevation is inherently holier.
Causative uses include bringing Israel up from Egypt and offering sacrifice. Exodus 32:1 recalls Moses as the man who brought Israel up from Egypt, Genesis 8:20 says Noah offered burnt offerings, and Deuteronomy 12:13 restricts where burnt offerings may be offered. Second Kings 2:11 says Elijah went up in a whirlwind, a distinctive narrative event. Psalm 68:18's ascent language is later taken up in Ephesians 4:8, while Isaiah 40:31 pictures those waiting for the Lord rising on wings like eagles. These connections deserve close reading but do not make every H5927 ascent a prediction of Christ's ascension or a promise of constant emotional and physical elevation.
Sense to go up, lift, ascend
Definition To go up or be lifted.
References Exodus 40:36-37
Lexicon to go up, lift, ascend
Why it matters The lifting of the cloud signals when Israel is to move.
Pastoral Entry
אֵשׁ (esh) is the Hebrew word for fire, currently indexed about 378 times in the local Hebrew index. Fire in the OT is not merely a physical phenomenon; it is consistently the medium of divine presence, divine judgment, and divine purification. The three functions are related: the same fire that represents God's presence burns up what does not belong before him, and refines what does. The theological trajectory of esh runs from the burning bush of Exodus 3 to the fire of Hebrews 12:29 ('our God is a consuming fire').
Deuteronomy 4:24 is the foundational theological statement: 'For the Lord your God is a consuming esh (esh okhelet), a jealous God.' The fire is not a secondary attribute of God; it is a description of what God himself is in relation to everything that opposes him and competes for loyalty to him. The jealousy and the consuming fire are the same thing: God's total commitment to his own glory and to his people's exclusive devotion means that whatever rivals him will be consumed. This is not cruelty; it is the natural result of the infinite standing next to the finite, the holy next to the unholy.
Exodus 3:2-4 gives fire its most memorable OT role: the burning bush. 'The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of esh (labbat-esh) out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.' The burning-but-not-consumed bush is the visual paradox of divine fire: the esh of God's presence is consuming, yet when God chooses to be present to his people, his fire does not destroy them. The bush burns but is not burned up — divine fire without destruction. This is the OT's picture of God's covenantal self-limitation: he is the consuming fire who chooses to be present without consuming.
First Kings 18:38 uses esh for the divine confirmation of Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal: 'Then the fire (esh) of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.' The esh YHWH (fire of the Lord) falls from heaven and consumes not only the sacrifice but the altar, the stones, and the water — total consumption, leaving no ambiguity. The fire is the divine response to Elijah's prayer and the proof that YHWH, not Baal, is God.
For the preacher, אֵשׁ (esh) is the word that insists God cannot be approached casually: he is fire, and the approach to him requires the mediation of the sacrifice he provides.
Sense fire
Definition Fire associated with the LORD’s visible presence by night.
References Exodus 40:38
Lexicon fire
Why it matters Fire in the cloud gives visible assurance of the Lord’s presence at night.
Sense journeys, stages of travel
Definition Journeys or stages of travel.
References Exodus 40:36, 38
Lexicon journeys, stages of travel
Why it matters The Lord’s cloud and fire guide Israel throughout all their journeys.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
| v.14 | H7126קָרַבHiphil · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.15 | H4886מָשַׁחQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.16 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · IndicativeH6213עָשָׂהQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.17 | H6965קוּםHophal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.19 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.2 | H6965קוּםHiphil · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.21 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.23 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.25 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.27 | H6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.29 | H7760שׂוּםQal · Perfect · IndicativeH6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.32 | H7364רָחַץQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH6680צָוָהPiel · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.34 | H4390מָלֵאQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.35 | H3201יָכֹלQal · Perfect · IndicativeH7931שָׁכַןQal · Perfect · IndicativeH4390מָלֵאQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.36 | H5265נָסַעQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.37 | H5927עָלָהNiphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH5265נָסַעQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.38 | H1961הָיָהQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
Aspect in Hebrew is grammatical form, not tense. Perfect = completed action; Imperfect = incomplete/ongoing. Stem modifies action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive).
Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)
Theological Argument
Exodus 40 argues that the goal of redemption is the Lord dwelling among His people. The tabernacle is set up and consecrated according to divine command. The priests are washed, clothed, and anointed for ministry. Moses obeys in every detail. Then the cloud covers the tent and the glory of the Lord fills it. God’s presence is graciously near, yet still holy, since even Moses cannot enter when the glory fills the tabernacle. The chapter closes with divine presence guiding Israel in all their journeys.
From divine command, to obedient setup, to consecration, to priestly preparation, to completed work, to glory filling, to wilderness guidance.
- 1.The LORD Himself determines the arrangement and consecration of His dwelling.
- 2.Moses’ obedience brings the completed tabernacle into ordered function.
- 3.The glory of the LORD confirms His dwelling among Israel.
- 4.The LORD’s presence not only dwells but guides His people through all their travels.
Theological Focus
- Tabernacle erected
- Tent of meeting
- Ark of the covenant law
- Atonement cover
- Veil
- Table and bread
- Lampstand and lamps
- Incense altar
- Altar of burnt offering
- Basin
- Courtyard
- Anointing oil
- Consecration
- Priestly washing
- Priestly anointing
- Moses’ obedience
- Glory of the Lord
- Cloud
- Fire
- Divine guidance
- God dwelling with His people
- Redemption unto dwelling
- Obedience according to command
- Holy arrangement
- Consecrated space
- Consecrated priesthood
- Sacrifice and cleansing
- Glory and holiness
- Presence and guidance
- Completion
- Visible assurance
- Divine Presence
- Holiness
- Obedience
- Priesthood
- Sacrifice
- Cleansing
- Guidance
- Christological Fulfillment
Theological Themes
The book’s movement from Egypt to tabernacle shows that the Lord redeems His people so He may dwell among them.
Moses repeatedly does everything just as the Lord commanded him.
Every object is placed according to the Lord’s order, teaching reverent approach.
The tabernacle and all its furnishings are anointed and set apart as holy.
Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, anointed, and consecrated for priestly ministry.
The altar and basin stand between the people and the tent, showing the need for sacrifice and washing.
The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle so powerfully that Moses cannot enter.
The cloud and fire show that the Lord dwells with and leads His people.
Moses finishes the work, and the Lord fills the dwelling, confirming the work’s purpose.
All Israel sees the cloud by day and fire by night, confirming the Lord’s continuing presence.
Covenant Significance
Exodus 40 is the covenant climax of the book. The Lord has redeemed Israel, entered covenant with them, renewed covenant after rebellion, and now fills the tabernacle with His glory. The tabernacle becomes the center of Israel’s worship and guidance. The Lord’s presence is restored and confirmed, but it remains holy and mediated. The cloud over the tabernacle becomes the visible sign that the covenant God dwells among and leads His people.
- Covenant dwelling - The tabernacle is erected as the Lord’s dwelling among His redeemed people.
- Covenant testimony - The ark of the covenant law is placed and shielded in the Most Holy Place.
- Covenant consecration - The tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests are anointed and set apart.
- Covenant mediation - Aaron and his sons are prepared for priestly service before the Lord.
- Covenant presence - The cloud and glory fill the tabernacle, confirming the Lord’s presence.
- Covenant guidance - The cloud directs Israel’s movements throughout their travels.
- Exodus 25:8 - The Lord commanded Israel to make a sanctuary so He might dwell among them.
- Exodus 29:45-46 - The Lord declared that He brought Israel out of Egypt so He might dwell among them.
- Exodus 33:14-17 - Moses pleaded for the Lord’s presence to go with Israel, and the Lord promised His presence.
- Leviticus 9:23-24 - The glory of the Lord later appears when priestly worship begins.
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 - The glory cloud later fills Solomon’s temple, echoing the tabernacle filling.
Canonical Connections
Exodus 40 fulfills the tabernacle purpose and contributes to the whole biblical dwelling theme.
The glory fills the tabernacle and later fills the temple, pointing forward to the glory revealed in Christ.
Aaron and his sons are prepared for priestly ministry, which later begins in Leviticus.
The altar and basin prepare for the sacrificial and cleansing patterns fulfilled in Christ.
The Lord’s cloud and fire guide Israel through the wilderness.
The completion of the tabernacle echoes creation completion and anticipates new creation dwelling.
Cross References
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, with all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh’s covenant out of David’s city,...
It came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled Yahweh’s house, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for Yahweh’s glory filled Yahweh’s house.
It came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled Yahweh’s house, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for Yahweh’s glory filled Yahweh’s house. Then Solomon said,...
Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and Yahweh’s glory filled the house. The priests could not enter into Yahweh’s house, because Yahweh’s glory filled...
Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.
Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night,...
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses led the people out of the...
Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. Yahweh’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud. The appearance of Yahweh’s...
Yahweh’s glory went out from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. The cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they stood at...
Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east. Behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth was illuminated with his glory....
God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it...
The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. God blessed the seventh day, and made it...
Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this...
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; and assemble all the congregation at the...
On the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them;
On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the Tent of the Testimony. At evening it was over the tabernacle, as it were the appearance of fire, until morning. So it was continually. The cloud...
He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a...
Canon-Wide Connections
Cross-reference data: OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Exodus 40 clarifies the gospel by showing that God saves His people in order to dwell with them. Deliverance from Egypt was not the final goal. The final movement of Exodus is the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. Yet the tabernacle also shows that sinners need sacrifice, cleansing, priesthood, and mediated access. Christ fulfills all of this. He is God with us, the true tabernacle, the sacrifice, the cleanser, the priest, and the one through whom God’s people will finally dwell with Him forever.
- Salvation is unto presence - The Lord redeems Israel so He may dwell among them.
- God provides ordered access - The tabernacle arrangement teaches that sinners approach God by His provision.
- Priesthood is necessary - Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, and anointed for ministry.
- Glory confirms presence - The cloud and glory fill the tabernacle as the visible confirmation of the Lord’s dwelling.
- Guidance flows from presence - The cloud directs Israel’s journeys.
- Christ fulfills the tabernacle - In Christ, God dwells among His people and opens access through His finished work.
- Do not reduce Exodus to political liberation or moral improvement.
- Do not preach God’s presence without sacrifice, cleansing, and mediation.
- Do not present the tabernacle as an end in itself rather than a shadow pointing forward.
- Do not make divine guidance independent of divine presence.
- Do not treat God’s glory as sentimental warmth rather than holy majesty.
- Do not miss that Christ fulfills the tabernacle as God with us.
Primary Emphasis
Exodus 40 contributes to the biblical theology fulfilled in Christ by bringing the tabernacle theme to its Old Testament climax: God dwelling among His redeemed people. The tabernacle points forward to Christ, the Word who became flesh and made His dwelling among us. The consecrated priesthood points forward to Christ as the greater High Priest. The altar and basin point toward His sacrifice and cleansing.
The glory filling the tabernacle points toward the glory of God revealed in Christ and the final dwelling of God with His people in the new creation.
Chapter Contribution
Exodus 40 argues that the goal of redemption is the Lord dwelling among His people. The tabernacle is set up and consecrated according to divine command. The priests are washed, clothed, and anointed for ministry. Moses obeys in every detail. Then the cloud covers the tent and the glory of the Lord fills it. God’s presence is graciously near, yet still holy, since even Moses cannot enter when the glory fills the tabernacle. The chapter closes with divine presence guiding Israel in all their journeys.
The anointing oil marks objects and priests as consecrated for sacred service.
The altar and basin show sacrifice and washing as essential to priestly approach.
The consecrated tabernacle and priesthood point forward to Christ, the anointed mediator who consecrates his people.
The obediently erected tabernacle points forward to Christ, the true dwelling and mediator of God’s presence.
The tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests must be set apart as holy for the Lord.
The filling of the tabernacle fulfills the Lord’s promise to dwell among the Israelites as their God.
The testimony is placed within the ark at the center of the Most Holy Place.
The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle with such weight that Moses cannot enter.
The tabernacle is set up as the appointed dwelling where the Lord will meet with his people.
The cloud and fire govern Israel’s journeys, directing when the people set out and when they remain.
The Lord’s presence is graciously near yet overwhelmingly holy, requiring mediated approach.
The veil, altar, basin, courtyard, and priestly consecration order Israel’s approach to holy presence.
The final goal of the dwelling theme is God’s eternal presence with his people in the new creation.
Moses repeatedly acts as the Lord commanded him, showing faithful execution of divine instruction.
Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, and anointed to serve the Lord as priests.
Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons begin the washing and offering patterns associated with sanctuary ministry.
The timing, arrangement, consecration, and ordination are commanded by the Lord.
Israel’s life is now centered around the Lord’s presence and ordered by his movement.
The glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle and dwells among Israel.
The tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests are consecrated for holy service.
Moses does everything just as the Lord commanded him.
The anointing oil sets apart the tabernacle and priesthood for the Lord.
Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, anointed, and consecrated for priestly service.
The altar of burnt offering is set up and used for burnt offerings and grain offerings.
The basin is set up for washing before entering the tent or approaching the altar.
The cloud and fire guide Israel in all their travels.
The tabernacle, priesthood, sacrifice, cleansing, glory, and presence are fulfilled in Christ.
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Exodus 40 clarifies the gospel by showing that God saves His people in order to dwell with them. Deliverance from Egypt was not the final goal. The final movement of Exodus is the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. Yet the tabernacle also shows that sinners need sacrifice, cleansing, priesthood, and mediated access. Christ fulfills all of this. He is God with us, the true tabernacle, the sacrifice, the cleanser, the priest, and the one through whom God’s people will finally dwell with Him forever.
The holy Lord dwells among His redeemed people through the tabernacle He commanded, consecrated, filled with His glory, and used to guide them.
God’s people must understand that redemption is not merely rescue from bondage but life with God, ordered by His word, consecrated for His service, and guided by His presence.
Reverence, obedience, consecration, dependence, patience, gratitude, worship, and Christ-centered confidence.
- Measure your worship by the word of God rather than preference.
- Seek consecrated service, not merely religious activity.
- Draw near through Christ’s sacrifice and cleansing.
- Refuse to move ahead without the Lord’s leading.
- Let God’s presence, not visible success, become the center of your life and ministry.
- Remember that God’s nearness never makes Him common.
- Rejoice that in Christ, God has come to dwell with His people.
- The chapter warns against casual approach to God, self-appointed worship, service without consecration, movement without divine guidance, and assuming that God’s nearness removes His holiness.
- Treating the tabernacle setup as merely logistical. - The arrangement teaches holy access, covenant order, sacrifice, cleansing, mediation, and divine presence.
- Assuming anointing is symbolic decoration only. - The anointing consecrates the tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, and priests for holy service.
- Thinking priestly ministry is self-appointed. - Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, anointed, and consecrated according to the Lord’s command.
- Missing the weight of Moses’ repeated obedience. - The repeated phrase 'just as the Lord commanded' shows that faithful worship is measured by God’s word.
- Treating the glory filling as sentimental encouragement. - The glory is so holy and overwhelming that Moses cannot enter the tent.
- Separating the cloud from guidance. - The cloud not only signifies presence but governs Israel’s movements.
- Ending Exodus as though the story is complete. - Exodus ends with God dwelling among Israel, but the journey to the land and the need for priestly atonement continue.
- Is my life ordered around the presence of God or merely around activity?
- Do I approach worship according to God’s word or according to personal preference?
- Where do I need consecration rather than mere enthusiasm?
- Am I relying on Christ’s sacrifice and cleansing as the basis for drawing near?
- Have I become casual with the holiness of God because I know He is near?
- Do I move ahead without the Lord’s leading, or do I wait when He says wait?
- How does Christ as God with us deepen my gratitude for the tabernacle’s fulfillment?
- Preach redemption unto presence.
- Teach worship by divine order.
- Recover the seriousness of consecration.
- Hold nearness and holiness together.
- Teach guidance as submission.
- Connect tabernacle glory to Christ.
- Encourage obedience after failure.
What the Lord commanded in earlier chapters is now set up and finished.
The parts brought to Moses in Exodus 39 are now arranged into functioning sacred space.
The tabernacle and priests are set apart for the Lord’s holy service.
The order of approach teaches sacrifice, cleansing, and mediated access.
Moses finishes the work, and the Lord fills the tabernacle with His glory.
The glory-filled tabernacle becomes the center from which Israel travels under divine guidance.
God dwelling in the tabernacle prepares for God dwelling among us in the incarnate Son.
C.F. Keil & F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–91) — public domain
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
The chapter moves from the Lord’s command to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, to the placement of the ark, veil, table, lampstand, incense altar, altar of burnt offering, basin, courtyard, and entrance curtain, to the anointing and consecration of the tabernacle and priests, to Moses’ careful obedience, and finally to the cloud covering the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. The book closes with the cloud guiding Israel through all their travels.
Exodus 40 is the covenant climax of the book. The Lord has redeemed Israel, entered covenant with them, renewed covenant after rebellion, and now fills the tabernacle with His glory. The tabernacle becomes the center of Israel’s worship and guidance. The Lord’s presence is restored and confirmed, but it remains holy and mediated. The cloud over the tabernacle becomes the visible sign that the covenant God dwells among and leads His people.
Exodus 40 clarifies the gospel by showing that God saves His people in order to dwell with them. Deliverance from Egypt was not the final goal. The final movement of Exodus is the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle. Yet the tabernacle also shows that sinners need sacrifice, cleansing, priesthood, and mediated access. Christ fulfills all of this. He is God with us, the true tabernacle, the sacrifice, the cleanser, the priest, and the one through whom God’s people will finally dwell with Him forever.
Reverence, obedience, consecration, dependence, patience, gratitude, worship, and Christ-centered confidence.
Focus Points
- Tabernacle erected
- Tent of meeting
- Ark of the covenant law
- Atonement cover
- Veil
- Table and bread
- Lampstand and lamps
- Incense altar
- Altar of burnt offering
- Basin
- Courtyard
- Anointing oil
- Consecration
- Priestly washing
- Priestly anointing
- Moses’ obedience
- Glory of the Lord
- Cloud
- Fire
- Divine guidance
- God dwelling with His people
- Redemption unto dwelling
- Obedience according to command
- Holy arrangement
- Consecrated space
- Consecrated priesthood
- Sacrifice and cleansing
- Glory and holiness
- Presence and guidance
- Completion
- Visible assurance
- Divine Presence
- Holiness
- Obedience
- Priesthood
- Sacrifice
- Cleansing
- Guidance
- Christological Fulfillment
Cross References
Passages
Chapter opening: Exodus 40:1-16
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:1-16 After the completion of all the works, the command was given by God to Moses to set up the dwelling of the tabernacle on the first day of the first month (see at Exo 19:1), sc. , in the second year of the Exodus (see Exo 40:17), and to put all the vessels, both of the dwelling and court, in the places appointed by God; also to furnish the table of shew-bread with its fitting out (ערכּו = לחם ערך Exo 40:23), i.
e. , to arrange the bread upon it in the manner prescribed (Exo 40:4 cf. Lev 24:6-7), and to put water in the laver of the court (Exo 40:7). After that he was to anoint the dwelling and everything in it, also the altar of burnt-offering and laver, with the anointing oil, and to sanctify them (Exo 40:9-11); and to consecrate Aaron and his sons before the door of the tabernacle, and clothe them, anoint them, and sanctify them as priests (Exo 40:12-15).
When we read here, however, that the dwelling and the vessels therein would be rendered “ holy ” through the anointing, but the altar of burnt-offering “ most holy, ” we are not to understand this as attributing a higher degree of holiness to the altar of burnt-offering than to the dwelling and its furniture; but the former is called “most holy” merely in the sense ascribed to it in Exo 30:10 namely, that every one who touched it was to become holy; in other words, the distinction has reference to the fact, that, standing as it did in the court, it was more exposed to contact from the people than the vessels in the dwelling, which no layman was allowed to enter. In this relative sense we find the same statement in Exo 30:29, with reference to the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the dwelling as well as the court, that they would become most holy in consequence of the anointing (see the remarks on Exo 30:10).
It is stated provisionally, in Exo 40:16, that this command was fulfilled by Moses. But from the further history we find that the consecration of the priests did not take place contemporaneously with the erection of the tabernacle, but somewhat later, or not till after the promulgation of the laws of sacrifice (cf. Lev 8 and Lev 1:1.)
Exo 40:17-19 On the day mentioned in Exo 40:2 the dwelling and court were erected. As not quite nine months had elapsed between the arrival of the Israelites at Sinai, in the third month after the Exodus (Exo 19:1), and the first day of the second year, when the work was finished and handed over to Moses, the building, and all the work connected with it, had not occupied quite half a year; as we have to deduct from the nine months (or somewhat less) not only the eighty days which Moses spent upon Sinai (Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28), but the days of preparation for the giving of the law and conclusion of the covenant (Ex 19:1-24:11), and the interval between the first and second stay that Moses made upon the mountain (ch.
32 and 33). The erection of the dwelling commenced with the fixing of the sockets, into which the boards were placed and fastened with their bolts, and the setting up of the pillars for the curtains (Exo 40:18). “ He (Moses) then spread the tent over the dwelling, and laid the covering of the tent upon the top . ” By the “covering of the tent” we are to understand the two coverings, made of red rams’ skins and the skins of the sea-cow (Exo 26:14).
In analogy with this, את־האלל פּרשׂ denotes not only the roofing with the goats’ hair, but the spreading out of the inner cloth of mixed colours upon the wooden frame-work.
Exo 40:17-19 On the day mentioned in Exo 40:2 the dwelling and court were erected. As not quite nine months had elapsed between the arrival of the Israelites at Sinai, in the third month after the Exodus (Exo 19:1), and the first day of the second year, when the work was finished and handed over to Moses, the building, and all the work connected with it, had not occupied quite half a year; as we have to deduct from the nine months (or somewhat less) not only the eighty days which Moses spent upon Sinai (Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28), but the days of preparation for the giving of the law and conclusion of the covenant (Ex 19:1-24:11), and the interval between the first and second stay that Moses made upon the mountain (ch.
32 and 33). The erection of the dwelling commenced with the fixing of the sockets, into which the boards were placed and fastened with their bolts, and the setting up of the pillars for the curtains (Exo 40:18). “ He (Moses) then spread the tent over the dwelling, and laid the covering of the tent upon the top . ” By the “covering of the tent” we are to understand the two coverings, made of red rams’ skins and the skins of the sea-cow (Exo 26:14).
In analogy with this, את־האלל פּרשׂ denotes not only the roofing with the goats’ hair, but the spreading out of the inner cloth of mixed colours upon the wooden frame-work.
Exo 40:17-19 On the day mentioned in Exo 40:2 the dwelling and court were erected. As not quite nine months had elapsed between the arrival of the Israelites at Sinai, in the third month after the Exodus (Exo 19:1), and the first day of the second year, when the work was finished and handed over to Moses, the building, and all the work connected with it, had not occupied quite half a year; as we have to deduct from the nine months (or somewhat less) not only the eighty days which Moses spent upon Sinai (Exo 24:18; Exo 34:28), but the days of preparation for the giving of the law and conclusion of the covenant (Ex 19:1-24:11), and the interval between the first and second stay that Moses made upon the mountain (ch.
32 and 33). The erection of the dwelling commenced with the fixing of the sockets, into which the boards were placed and fastened with their bolts, and the setting up of the pillars for the curtains (Exo 40:18). “ He (Moses) then spread the tent over the dwelling, and laid the covering of the tent upon the top . ” By the “covering of the tent” we are to understand the two coverings, made of red rams’ skins and the skins of the sea-cow (Exo 26:14).
In analogy with this, את־האלל פּרשׂ denotes not only the roofing with the goats’ hair, but the spreading out of the inner cloth of mixed colours upon the wooden frame-work.
Exo 40:20-21 Arrangement of the ark . “He took and put the testimony into the ark. ” העדוּת does not mean “the revelation, so far as it existed already, viz. , with regard to the erection of the sanctuary and institution of the priesthood (ch. 25-31), and so forth,” as Knobel arbitrarily supposes, but “the testimony,” i. e. , the decalogue written upon the two tables of stone, or the tables of the covenant with the ten words; “the testimony,” therefore, is an abbreviated expression for “the tables of testimony” (Exo 31:18, see at Exo 25:16).
After the ark had been brought into the dwelling, he “hung the curtain” (vail, see at Exo 26:31; lit. , placed it upon the hooks of the pillars), “and so covered over the ark of the testimony,” since the ark, when placed in the back part of the dwelling, was covered or concealed from persons entering the dwelling or the holy place.
Exo 40:20-21 Arrangement of the ark . “He took and put the testimony into the ark. ” העדוּת does not mean “the revelation, so far as it existed already, viz. , with regard to the erection of the sanctuary and institution of the priesthood (ch. 25-31), and so forth,” as Knobel arbitrarily supposes, but “the testimony,” i. e. , the decalogue written upon the two tables of stone, or the tables of the covenant with the ten words; “the testimony,” therefore, is an abbreviated expression for “the tables of testimony” (Exo 31:18, see at Exo 25:16).
After the ark had been brought into the dwelling, he “hung the curtain” (vail, see at Exo 26:31; lit. , placed it upon the hooks of the pillars), “and so covered over the ark of the testimony,” since the ark, when placed in the back part of the dwelling, was covered or concealed from persons entering the dwelling or the holy place.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:22-28 Arrangement of the front room of the dwelling . The table was placed on the right side, towards the north, and the shew-bread was laid upon it. לחם ערך does not signify “a row of bread,” but the “position or placing of bread;” for, according to Lev 24:6-7, the twelve loaves of shew-bread were placed upon the table in two rows, corresponding to the size of the tables (two cubits long and one cubit broad).
The candlestick was placed upon the left side, opposite to the table, and the golden altar in front of the curtain, i. e. , midway between the two sides, but near the curtain in front of the most holy place (see at Exo 30:6). After these things had been placed, the curtain was hung in the door of the dwelling.
Exo 40:29-33 The altar of burnt-offering was then placed “ before the door of the dwelling of the tabernacle, ” and the laver “ between the tabernacle and the altar, ” from which it is evident that the altar was not placed close to the entrance to the dwelling, but at some distance off, though in a straight line with the door. The laver, which stood between the altar and the entrance to the dwelling, was probably placed more to the side; so that when the priests washed their hands and feet, before entering the dwelling or approaching the altar, there was no necessity for them to go round the altar, or to pass close by it, in order to get to the laver.
Last of all the court was erected round about the dwelling and the altar, by the setting up of the pillars, which enclosed the space round the dwelling and the altar with their drapery, and the hanging up of the curtain at the entrance to the court. There is no allusion to the anointing of these holy places and things, as commanded in Exo 40:9-11, in the account of their erection; for this did not take place till afterwards, viz.
, at the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Lev 8:10-11). It is stated, however, on the other hand, that as the vessels were arranged, Moses laid out the shew-bread upon the table (Exo 40:23), burned sweet incense upon the golden altar (Exo 40:27), and offered “the burnt-offering and meat-offering,” i. e. , the daily morning and evening sacrifice, upon the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:38-42).
Consequently the sacrificial service was performed upon them before they had been anointed. Although this may appear surprising, there is no ground for rejecting a conclusion, which follows so naturally from the words of the text. The tabernacle and its furniture were not made holy things for the first time by the anointing; this simply sanctified them for the use of the nation, i.
e. , for the service which the priests were to perform in connection with them on behalf of the congregation (see at Lev 8:10-11). They were made holy things and holy vessels by the fact that they were built, prepared, and set up, according to the instructions given by Jehovah; and still more by the fact, that after the tabernacle had been erected as a dwelling, the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo 40:34).
But the glory of the Lord entered the dwelling before the consecration of the priests, and the accompanying anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels; for, according to Lev 1:1. , it was from the tabernacle that Jehovah spake to Moses, when He gave him the laws of sacrifice, which were promulgated before the consecration of the priests, and were carried out in connection with it.
But when the glory of the Lord had found a dwelling-place in the tabernacle, Moses was not required to offer continually the sacrifice prescribed for every morning and evening, and by means of this sacrifice to place the congregation in spiritual fellowship with its God, until Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for this service.
Exo 40:29-33 The altar of burnt-offering was then placed “ before the door of the dwelling of the tabernacle, ” and the laver “ between the tabernacle and the altar, ” from which it is evident that the altar was not placed close to the entrance to the dwelling, but at some distance off, though in a straight line with the door. The laver, which stood between the altar and the entrance to the dwelling, was probably placed more to the side; so that when the priests washed their hands and feet, before entering the dwelling or approaching the altar, there was no necessity for them to go round the altar, or to pass close by it, in order to get to the laver.
Last of all the court was erected round about the dwelling and the altar, by the setting up of the pillars, which enclosed the space round the dwelling and the altar with their drapery, and the hanging up of the curtain at the entrance to the court. There is no allusion to the anointing of these holy places and things, as commanded in Exo 40:9-11, in the account of their erection; for this did not take place till afterwards, viz.
, at the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Lev 8:10-11). It is stated, however, on the other hand, that as the vessels were arranged, Moses laid out the shew-bread upon the table (Exo 40:23), burned sweet incense upon the golden altar (Exo 40:27), and offered “the burnt-offering and meat-offering,” i. e. , the daily morning and evening sacrifice, upon the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:38-42).
Consequently the sacrificial service was performed upon them before they had been anointed. Although this may appear surprising, there is no ground for rejecting a conclusion, which follows so naturally from the words of the text. The tabernacle and its furniture were not made holy things for the first time by the anointing; this simply sanctified them for the use of the nation, i.
e. , for the service which the priests were to perform in connection with them on behalf of the congregation (see at Lev 8:10-11). They were made holy things and holy vessels by the fact that they were built, prepared, and set up, according to the instructions given by Jehovah; and still more by the fact, that after the tabernacle had been erected as a dwelling, the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo 40:34).
But the glory of the Lord entered the dwelling before the consecration of the priests, and the accompanying anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels; for, according to Lev 1:1. , it was from the tabernacle that Jehovah spake to Moses, when He gave him the laws of sacrifice, which were promulgated before the consecration of the priests, and were carried out in connection with it.
But when the glory of the Lord had found a dwelling-place in the tabernacle, Moses was not required to offer continually the sacrifice prescribed for every morning and evening, and by means of this sacrifice to place the congregation in spiritual fellowship with its God, until Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for this service.
Exo 40:29-33 The altar of burnt-offering was then placed “ before the door of the dwelling of the tabernacle, ” and the laver “ between the tabernacle and the altar, ” from which it is evident that the altar was not placed close to the entrance to the dwelling, but at some distance off, though in a straight line with the door. The laver, which stood between the altar and the entrance to the dwelling, was probably placed more to the side; so that when the priests washed their hands and feet, before entering the dwelling or approaching the altar, there was no necessity for them to go round the altar, or to pass close by it, in order to get to the laver.
Last of all the court was erected round about the dwelling and the altar, by the setting up of the pillars, which enclosed the space round the dwelling and the altar with their drapery, and the hanging up of the curtain at the entrance to the court. There is no allusion to the anointing of these holy places and things, as commanded in Exo 40:9-11, in the account of their erection; for this did not take place till afterwards, viz.
, at the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Lev 8:10-11). It is stated, however, on the other hand, that as the vessels were arranged, Moses laid out the shew-bread upon the table (Exo 40:23), burned sweet incense upon the golden altar (Exo 40:27), and offered “the burnt-offering and meat-offering,” i. e. , the daily morning and evening sacrifice, upon the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:38-42).
Consequently the sacrificial service was performed upon them before they had been anointed. Although this may appear surprising, there is no ground for rejecting a conclusion, which follows so naturally from the words of the text. The tabernacle and its furniture were not made holy things for the first time by the anointing; this simply sanctified them for the use of the nation, i.
e. , for the service which the priests were to perform in connection with them on behalf of the congregation (see at Lev 8:10-11). They were made holy things and holy vessels by the fact that they were built, prepared, and set up, according to the instructions given by Jehovah; and still more by the fact, that after the tabernacle had been erected as a dwelling, the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo 40:34).
But the glory of the Lord entered the dwelling before the consecration of the priests, and the accompanying anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels; for, according to Lev 1:1. , it was from the tabernacle that Jehovah spake to Moses, when He gave him the laws of sacrifice, which were promulgated before the consecration of the priests, and were carried out in connection with it.
But when the glory of the Lord had found a dwelling-place in the tabernacle, Moses was not required to offer continually the sacrifice prescribed for every morning and evening, and by means of this sacrifice to place the congregation in spiritual fellowship with its God, until Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for this service.
Exo 40:29-33 The altar of burnt-offering was then placed “ before the door of the dwelling of the tabernacle, ” and the laver “ between the tabernacle and the altar, ” from which it is evident that the altar was not placed close to the entrance to the dwelling, but at some distance off, though in a straight line with the door. The laver, which stood between the altar and the entrance to the dwelling, was probably placed more to the side; so that when the priests washed their hands and feet, before entering the dwelling or approaching the altar, there was no necessity for them to go round the altar, or to pass close by it, in order to get to the laver.
Last of all the court was erected round about the dwelling and the altar, by the setting up of the pillars, which enclosed the space round the dwelling and the altar with their drapery, and the hanging up of the curtain at the entrance to the court. There is no allusion to the anointing of these holy places and things, as commanded in Exo 40:9-11, in the account of their erection; for this did not take place till afterwards, viz.
, at the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Lev 8:10-11). It is stated, however, on the other hand, that as the vessels were arranged, Moses laid out the shew-bread upon the table (Exo 40:23), burned sweet incense upon the golden altar (Exo 40:27), and offered “the burnt-offering and meat-offering,” i. e. , the daily morning and evening sacrifice, upon the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:38-42).
Consequently the sacrificial service was performed upon them before they had been anointed. Although this may appear surprising, there is no ground for rejecting a conclusion, which follows so naturally from the words of the text. The tabernacle and its furniture were not made holy things for the first time by the anointing; this simply sanctified them for the use of the nation, i.
e. , for the service which the priests were to perform in connection with them on behalf of the congregation (see at Lev 8:10-11). They were made holy things and holy vessels by the fact that they were built, prepared, and set up, according to the instructions given by Jehovah; and still more by the fact, that after the tabernacle had been erected as a dwelling, the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo 40:34).
But the glory of the Lord entered the dwelling before the consecration of the priests, and the accompanying anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels; for, according to Lev 1:1. , it was from the tabernacle that Jehovah spake to Moses, when He gave him the laws of sacrifice, which were promulgated before the consecration of the priests, and were carried out in connection with it.
But when the glory of the Lord had found a dwelling-place in the tabernacle, Moses was not required to offer continually the sacrifice prescribed for every morning and evening, and by means of this sacrifice to place the congregation in spiritual fellowship with its God, until Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for this service.
Exo 40:29-33 The altar of burnt-offering was then placed “ before the door of the dwelling of the tabernacle, ” and the laver “ between the tabernacle and the altar, ” from which it is evident that the altar was not placed close to the entrance to the dwelling, but at some distance off, though in a straight line with the door. The laver, which stood between the altar and the entrance to the dwelling, was probably placed more to the side; so that when the priests washed their hands and feet, before entering the dwelling or approaching the altar, there was no necessity for them to go round the altar, or to pass close by it, in order to get to the laver.
Last of all the court was erected round about the dwelling and the altar, by the setting up of the pillars, which enclosed the space round the dwelling and the altar with their drapery, and the hanging up of the curtain at the entrance to the court. There is no allusion to the anointing of these holy places and things, as commanded in Exo 40:9-11, in the account of their erection; for this did not take place till afterwards, viz.
, at the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests (Lev 8:10-11). It is stated, however, on the other hand, that as the vessels were arranged, Moses laid out the shew-bread upon the table (Exo 40:23), burned sweet incense upon the golden altar (Exo 40:27), and offered “the burnt-offering and meat-offering,” i. e. , the daily morning and evening sacrifice, upon the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:38-42).
Consequently the sacrificial service was performed upon them before they had been anointed. Although this may appear surprising, there is no ground for rejecting a conclusion, which follows so naturally from the words of the text. The tabernacle and its furniture were not made holy things for the first time by the anointing; this simply sanctified them for the use of the nation, i.
e. , for the service which the priests were to perform in connection with them on behalf of the congregation (see at Lev 8:10-11). They were made holy things and holy vessels by the fact that they were built, prepared, and set up, according to the instructions given by Jehovah; and still more by the fact, that after the tabernacle had been erected as a dwelling, the “glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo 40:34).
But the glory of the Lord entered the dwelling before the consecration of the priests, and the accompanying anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels; for, according to Lev 1:1. , it was from the tabernacle that Jehovah spake to Moses, when He gave him the laws of sacrifice, which were promulgated before the consecration of the priests, and were carried out in connection with it.
But when the glory of the Lord had found a dwelling-place in the tabernacle, Moses was not required to offer continually the sacrifice prescribed for every morning and evening, and by means of this sacrifice to place the congregation in spiritual fellowship with its God, until Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for this service.
Exo 40:34-38 When the sanctuary, that had been built for the Lord for a dwelling in Israel, had been set up with all its apparatus, “ the cloud covering the tabernacle, and the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, ” so that Moses was unable to enter. The cloud, in which Jehovah had hitherto been present with His people, and guided and protected them upon their journeying (see at Exo 13:21-22), now came down upon the tabernacle and filled the dwelling with the gracious presence of the Lord.
So long as this cloud rested upon the tabernacle the children of Israel remained encamped; but when it ascended, they broke up the encampment to proceed onwards. This sign was Jehovah’s command for encamping or going forward “throughout all their journeys” (Exo 40:36-38). This statement is repeated still more elaborately in Num 9:15-23. The mode in which the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, or in which Jehovah manifested His presence within it, is not described; but the glory of Jehovah filling the dwelling is clearly distinguished from the cloud coming down upon the tabernacle.
It is obvious, however, from Lev 16:2, and 1Ki 8:10-11, that in the dwelling the glory of God was also manifested in a cloud. At the dedication of the temple (1Ki 8:10-11) the expression “the cloud filled the house of Jehovah” is used interchangeably with “the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah. ” To consecrate the sanctuary, which had been finished and erected as His dwelling, and to give to the people a visible proof that He had chosen it for His dwelling, Jehovah filled the dwelling in both its parts with the cloud which shadowed forth His presence, so that Moses was unable to enter it.
This cloud afterwards drew back into the most holy place, to dwell there, above the outspread wings of the cherubim of the ark of the covenant; so that Moses and (at a later period) the priests were able to enter the holy place and perform the required service there, without seeing the sign of the gracious presence of God, which was hidden by the curtain of the most holy place. So long as the Israelites were on their journey to Canaan, the presence of Jehovah was manifested outwardly and visibly by the cloud, which settled upon the ark, and rose up from it when they were to travel onward.
With the completion of this building and its divine consecration, Israel had now received a real pledge of the permanence of the covenant of grace, which Jehovah had concluded with it; a sanctuary which perfectly corresponded to the existing circumstances of its religious development, and kept constantly before it the end of its calling from God. For although God dwelt in the tabernacle in the midst of His people, and the Israelites might appear before Him, to pray for and receive the covenant blessings that were promised them, they were still forbidden to go directly to God’s throne of grace.
The barrier, which sin had erected between the holy God and the unholy nation, was not yet taken away. To this end the law was given, which could only increase their consciousness of sin and unworthiness before God. But as this barrier had already been broken through by the promise of the Lord, that He would meet the people in His glory before the door of the tabernacle at the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:42-43); so the entrance of the chosen people into the dwelling of God was effected mediatorially by the service of the sanctified priests in the holy place, which also prefigured their eventual reception into the house of the Lord.
And even the curtain, which still hid the glory of God from the chosen priests and sanctified mediators of the nation, was to be lifted at least once a year by the anointed priest, who had been called by God to be the representative of the whole congregation. On the day of atonement the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of atonement in front of the throne of grace, to make expiation for the children of Israel because of all their sin (Lev 16), and to prefigure the perfect atonement through the blood of the eternal Mediator, through which the way to the throne of grace is opened to all believers, that they may go into the house of God and abide there for ever, and for ever see God.
Exo 40:34-38 When the sanctuary, that had been built for the Lord for a dwelling in Israel, had been set up with all its apparatus, “ the cloud covering the tabernacle, and the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, ” so that Moses was unable to enter. The cloud, in which Jehovah had hitherto been present with His people, and guided and protected them upon their journeying (see at Exo 13:21-22), now came down upon the tabernacle and filled the dwelling with the gracious presence of the Lord.
So long as this cloud rested upon the tabernacle the children of Israel remained encamped; but when it ascended, they broke up the encampment to proceed onwards. This sign was Jehovah’s command for encamping or going forward “throughout all their journeys” (Exo 40:36-38). This statement is repeated still more elaborately in Num 9:15-23. The mode in which the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, or in which Jehovah manifested His presence within it, is not described; but the glory of Jehovah filling the dwelling is clearly distinguished from the cloud coming down upon the tabernacle.
It is obvious, however, from Lev 16:2, and 1Ki 8:10-11, that in the dwelling the glory of God was also manifested in a cloud. At the dedication of the temple (1Ki 8:10-11) the expression “the cloud filled the house of Jehovah” is used interchangeably with “the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah. ” To consecrate the sanctuary, which had been finished and erected as His dwelling, and to give to the people a visible proof that He had chosen it for His dwelling, Jehovah filled the dwelling in both its parts with the cloud which shadowed forth His presence, so that Moses was unable to enter it.
This cloud afterwards drew back into the most holy place, to dwell there, above the outspread wings of the cherubim of the ark of the covenant; so that Moses and (at a later period) the priests were able to enter the holy place and perform the required service there, without seeing the sign of the gracious presence of God, which was hidden by the curtain of the most holy place. So long as the Israelites were on their journey to Canaan, the presence of Jehovah was manifested outwardly and visibly by the cloud, which settled upon the ark, and rose up from it when they were to travel onward.
With the completion of this building and its divine consecration, Israel had now received a real pledge of the permanence of the covenant of grace, which Jehovah had concluded with it; a sanctuary which perfectly corresponded to the existing circumstances of its religious development, and kept constantly before it the end of its calling from God. For although God dwelt in the tabernacle in the midst of His people, and the Israelites might appear before Him, to pray for and receive the covenant blessings that were promised them, they were still forbidden to go directly to God’s throne of grace.
The barrier, which sin had erected between the holy God and the unholy nation, was not yet taken away. To this end the law was given, which could only increase their consciousness of sin and unworthiness before God. But as this barrier had already been broken through by the promise of the Lord, that He would meet the people in His glory before the door of the tabernacle at the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:42-43); so the entrance of the chosen people into the dwelling of God was effected mediatorially by the service of the sanctified priests in the holy place, which also prefigured their eventual reception into the house of the Lord.
And even the curtain, which still hid the glory of God from the chosen priests and sanctified mediators of the nation, was to be lifted at least once a year by the anointed priest, who had been called by God to be the representative of the whole congregation. On the day of atonement the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of atonement in front of the throne of grace, to make expiation for the children of Israel because of all their sin (Lev 16), and to prefigure the perfect atonement through the blood of the eternal Mediator, through which the way to the throne of grace is opened to all believers, that they may go into the house of God and abide there for ever, and for ever see God.
Exo 40:34-38 When the sanctuary, that had been built for the Lord for a dwelling in Israel, had been set up with all its apparatus, “ the cloud covering the tabernacle, and the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, ” so that Moses was unable to enter. The cloud, in which Jehovah had hitherto been present with His people, and guided and protected them upon their journeying (see at Exo 13:21-22), now came down upon the tabernacle and filled the dwelling with the gracious presence of the Lord.
So long as this cloud rested upon the tabernacle the children of Israel remained encamped; but when it ascended, they broke up the encampment to proceed onwards. This sign was Jehovah’s command for encamping or going forward “throughout all their journeys” (Exo 40:36-38). This statement is repeated still more elaborately in Num 9:15-23. The mode in which the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, or in which Jehovah manifested His presence within it, is not described; but the glory of Jehovah filling the dwelling is clearly distinguished from the cloud coming down upon the tabernacle.
It is obvious, however, from Lev 16:2, and 1Ki 8:10-11, that in the dwelling the glory of God was also manifested in a cloud. At the dedication of the temple (1Ki 8:10-11) the expression “the cloud filled the house of Jehovah” is used interchangeably with “the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah. ” To consecrate the sanctuary, which had been finished and erected as His dwelling, and to give to the people a visible proof that He had chosen it for His dwelling, Jehovah filled the dwelling in both its parts with the cloud which shadowed forth His presence, so that Moses was unable to enter it.
This cloud afterwards drew back into the most holy place, to dwell there, above the outspread wings of the cherubim of the ark of the covenant; so that Moses and (at a later period) the priests were able to enter the holy place and perform the required service there, without seeing the sign of the gracious presence of God, which was hidden by the curtain of the most holy place. So long as the Israelites were on their journey to Canaan, the presence of Jehovah was manifested outwardly and visibly by the cloud, which settled upon the ark, and rose up from it when they were to travel onward.
With the completion of this building and its divine consecration, Israel had now received a real pledge of the permanence of the covenant of grace, which Jehovah had concluded with it; a sanctuary which perfectly corresponded to the existing circumstances of its religious development, and kept constantly before it the end of its calling from God. For although God dwelt in the tabernacle in the midst of His people, and the Israelites might appear before Him, to pray for and receive the covenant blessings that were promised them, they were still forbidden to go directly to God’s throne of grace.
The barrier, which sin had erected between the holy God and the unholy nation, was not yet taken away. To this end the law was given, which could only increase their consciousness of sin and unworthiness before God. But as this barrier had already been broken through by the promise of the Lord, that He would meet the people in His glory before the door of the tabernacle at the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:42-43); so the entrance of the chosen people into the dwelling of God was effected mediatorially by the service of the sanctified priests in the holy place, which also prefigured their eventual reception into the house of the Lord.
And even the curtain, which still hid the glory of God from the chosen priests and sanctified mediators of the nation, was to be lifted at least once a year by the anointed priest, who had been called by God to be the representative of the whole congregation. On the day of atonement the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of atonement in front of the throne of grace, to make expiation for the children of Israel because of all their sin (Lev 16), and to prefigure the perfect atonement through the blood of the eternal Mediator, through which the way to the throne of grace is opened to all believers, that they may go into the house of God and abide there for ever, and for ever see God.
Exo 40:34-38 When the sanctuary, that had been built for the Lord for a dwelling in Israel, had been set up with all its apparatus, “ the cloud covering the tabernacle, and the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, ” so that Moses was unable to enter. The cloud, in which Jehovah had hitherto been present with His people, and guided and protected them upon their journeying (see at Exo 13:21-22), now came down upon the tabernacle and filled the dwelling with the gracious presence of the Lord.
So long as this cloud rested upon the tabernacle the children of Israel remained encamped; but when it ascended, they broke up the encampment to proceed onwards. This sign was Jehovah’s command for encamping or going forward “throughout all their journeys” (Exo 40:36-38). This statement is repeated still more elaborately in Num 9:15-23. The mode in which the glory of Jehovah filled the dwelling, or in which Jehovah manifested His presence within it, is not described; but the glory of Jehovah filling the dwelling is clearly distinguished from the cloud coming down upon the tabernacle.
It is obvious, however, from Lev 16:2, and 1Ki 8:10-11, that in the dwelling the glory of God was also manifested in a cloud. At the dedication of the temple (1Ki 8:10-11) the expression “the cloud filled the house of Jehovah” is used interchangeably with “the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah. ” To consecrate the sanctuary, which had been finished and erected as His dwelling, and to give to the people a visible proof that He had chosen it for His dwelling, Jehovah filled the dwelling in both its parts with the cloud which shadowed forth His presence, so that Moses was unable to enter it.
This cloud afterwards drew back into the most holy place, to dwell there, above the outspread wings of the cherubim of the ark of the covenant; so that Moses and (at a later period) the priests were able to enter the holy place and perform the required service there, without seeing the sign of the gracious presence of God, which was hidden by the curtain of the most holy place. So long as the Israelites were on their journey to Canaan, the presence of Jehovah was manifested outwardly and visibly by the cloud, which settled upon the ark, and rose up from it when they were to travel onward.
With the completion of this building and its divine consecration, Israel had now received a real pledge of the permanence of the covenant of grace, which Jehovah had concluded with it; a sanctuary which perfectly corresponded to the existing circumstances of its religious development, and kept constantly before it the end of its calling from God. For although God dwelt in the tabernacle in the midst of His people, and the Israelites might appear before Him, to pray for and receive the covenant blessings that were promised them, they were still forbidden to go directly to God’s throne of grace.
The barrier, which sin had erected between the holy God and the unholy nation, was not yet taken away. To this end the law was given, which could only increase their consciousness of sin and unworthiness before God. But as this barrier had already been broken through by the promise of the Lord, that He would meet the people in His glory before the door of the tabernacle at the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 29:42-43); so the entrance of the chosen people into the dwelling of God was effected mediatorially by the service of the sanctified priests in the holy place, which also prefigured their eventual reception into the house of the Lord.
And even the curtain, which still hid the glory of God from the chosen priests and sanctified mediators of the nation, was to be lifted at least once a year by the anointed priest, who had been called by God to be the representative of the whole congregation. On the day of atonement the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of atonement in front of the throne of grace, to make expiation for the children of Israel because of all their sin (Lev 16), and to prefigure the perfect atonement through the blood of the eternal Mediator, through which the way to the throne of grace is opened to all believers, that they may go into the house of God and abide there for ever, and for ever see God.