Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Exodus » Chapter 40 » Verse 1-38

Exodus 40:1-38 King James Version (KJV)

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.

11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:

15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.

17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.

18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.

23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:

27 And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

28 And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.

29 And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.

31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:

32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.

33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.


Exodus 40:1-38 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559

2 On the first H7223 day H3117 of the first H259 month H2320 shalt thou set up H6965 the tabernacle H4908 of the tent H168 of the congregation. H4150

3 And thou shalt put H7760 therein H8033 the ark H727 of the testimony, H5715 and cover H5526 the ark H727 with the vail. H6532

4 And thou shalt bring H935 in the table, H7979 and set in order H6186 the things that are to be set in order H6187 upon it; and thou shalt bring H935 in the candlestick, H4501 and light H5927 the lamps H5216 thereof.

5 And thou shalt set H5414 the altar H4196 of gold H2091 for the incense H7004 before H6440 the ark H727 of the testimony, H5715 and put H7760 the hanging H4539 of the door H6607 to the tabernacle. H4908

6 And thou shalt set H5414 the altar H4196 of the burnt offering H5930 before H6440 the door H6607 of the tabernacle H4908 of the tent H168 of the congregation. H4150

7 And thou shalt set H5414 the laver H3595 between the tent H168 of the congregation H4150 and the altar, H4196 and shalt put H5414 water H4325 therein.

8 And thou shalt set up H7760 the court H2691 round about, H5439 and hang up H5414 the hanging H4539 at the court H2691 gate. H8179

9 And thou shalt take H3947 the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and anoint H4886 the tabernacle, H4908 and all that is therein, and shalt hallow H6942 it, and all the vessels H3627 thereof: and it shall be holy. H6944

10 And thou shalt anoint H4886 the altar H4196 of the burnt offering, H5930 and all his vessels, H3627 and sanctify H6942 the altar: H4196 and it shall be an altar H4196 most H6944 holy. H6944

11 And thou shalt anoint H4886 the laver H3595 and his foot, H3653 and sanctify H6942 it.

12 And thou shalt bring H7126 Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and wash H7364 them with water. H4325

13 And thou shalt put H3847 upon Aaron H175 the holy H6944 garments, H899 and anoint H4886 him, and sanctify H6942 him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. H3547

14 And thou shalt bring H7126 his sons, H1121 and clothe H3847 them with coats: H3801

15 And thou shalt anoint H4886 them, as thou didst anoint H4886 their father, H1 that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: H3547 for their anointing H4888 shall surely be an everlasting H5769 priesthood H3550 throughout their generations. H1755

16 Thus did H6213 Moses: H4872 according to all that the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 him, so did H6213 he.

17 And it came to pass in the first H7223 month H2320 in the second H8145 year, H8141 on the first H259 day of the month, H2320 that the tabernacle H4908 was reared up. H6965

18 And Moses H4872 reared up H6965 the tabernacle, H4908 and fastened H5414 his sockets, H134 and set up H7760 the boards H7175 thereof, and put H5414 in the bars H1280 thereof, and reared up H6965 his pillars. H5982

19 And he spread abroad H6566 the tent H168 over the tabernacle, H4908 and put H7760 the covering H4372 of the tent H168 above H4605 upon it; as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

20 And he took H3947 and put H5414 the testimony H5715 into the ark, H727 and set H7760 the staves H905 on the ark, H727 and put H5414 the mercy seat H3727 above H4605 upon the ark: H727

21 And he brought H935 the ark H727 into the tabernacle, H4908 and set up H7760 the vail H6532 of the covering, H4539 and covered H5526 the ark H727 of the testimony; H5715 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

22 And he put H5414 the table H7979 in the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 upon the side H3409 of the tabernacle H4908 northward, H6828 without H2351 the vail. H6532

23 And he set H6187 the bread H3899 in order H6186 upon it before H6440 the LORD; H3068 as the LORD H3068 had commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

24 And he put H7760 the candlestick H4501 in the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 over against H5227 the table, H7979 on the side H3409 of the tabernacle H4908 southward. H5045

25 And he lighted H5927 the lamps H5216 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

26 And he put H7760 the golden H2091 altar H4196 in the tent H168 of the congregation H4150 before H6440 the vail: H6532

27 And he burnt H6999 sweet H5561 incense H7004 thereon; as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

28 And he set up H7760 the hanging H4539 at the door H6607 of the tabernacle. H4908

29 And he put H7760 the altar H4196 of burnt offering H5930 by the door H6607 of the tabernacle H4908 of the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 and offered H5927 upon it the burnt offering H5930 and the meat offering; H4503 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

30 And he set H7760 the laver H3595 between the tent H168 of the congregation H4150 and the altar, H4196 and put H5414 water H4325 there, to wash H7364 withal.

31 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 washed H7364 their hands H3027 and their feet H7272 thereat:

32 When they went H935 into the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 and when they came near H7126 unto the altar, H4196 they washed; H7364 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

33 And he reared up H6965 the court H2691 round about H5439 the tabernacle H4908 and the altar, H4196 and set up H5414 the hanging H4539 of the court H2691 gate. H8179 So Moses H4872 finished H3615 the work. H4399

34 Then a cloud H6051 covered H3680 the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 filled H4390 the tabernacle. H4908

35 And Moses H4872 was not able H3201 to enter H935 into the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 because the cloud H6051 abode H7931 thereon, and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 filled H4390 the tabernacle. H4908

36 And when the cloud H6051 was taken up H5927 from H5921 over the tabernacle, H4908 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 went onward H5265 in all their journeys: H4550

37 But if the cloud H6051 were not taken up, H5927 then they journeyed H5265 not till the day H3117 that it was taken up. H5927

38 For the cloud H6051 of the LORD H3068 was upon the tabernacle H4908 by day, H3119 and fire H784 was on it by night, H3915 in the sight H5869 of all the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 throughout all their journeys. H4550


Exodus 40:1-38 American Standard (ASV)

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

5 And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar shall be most holy.

11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them;

15 and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.

17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.

18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up its pillars.

19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

21 and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.

23 And he set the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil:

27 and he burnt thereon incense of sweet spices; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

28 And he put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

29 And he set the altar of burnt-offering at the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt-offering and the meal-offering; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, wherewith to wash.

31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat;

32 when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys:

37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of Jehovah was upon the tabernacle by day, and there was fire therein by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.


Exodus 40:1-38 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,

2 `On the first day of the month, in the first month, thou dost raise up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

3 and hast set there the ark of the testimony, and hast covered over the ark with the vail,

4 and hast brought in the table, and set its arrangement in order, and hast brought in the candlestick, and caused its lamps to go up.

5 `And thou hast put the golden altar for perfume before the ark of the testimony, and hast put the covering of the opening to the tabernacle,

6 and hast put the altar of the burnt-offering before the opening of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

7 and hast put the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and hast put water there.

8 `And thou hast set the court round about, and hast placed the covering of the gate of the court,

9 and hast taken the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle, and all that `is' in it, and hallowed it, and all its vessels, and it hath been holy;

10 and thou hast anointed the altar of the burnt-offering, and all its vessels, and sanctified the altar, and the altar hath been most holy;

11 and thou hast anointed the laver and its base, and sanctified it.

12 `And thou hast brought near Aaron and his sons unto the opening of the tent of meeting, and hast bathed them with water;

13 and thou hast clothed Aaron with the holy garments, and anointed him, and sanctified him, and he hath acted as priest to Me.

14 `And his sons thou dost bring near, and hast clothed them with coats,

15 and anointed them as thou hast anointed their father, and they have acted as priests to Me, and their anointing hath been to be to them for a priesthood age-during, to their generations.'

16 And Moses doth according to all that Jehovah hath commanded him; so he hath done.

17 And it cometh to pass, in the first month, in the second year, in the first of the month, the tabernacle hath been raised up;

18 and Moses raiseth up the tabernacle, and setteth its sockets, and placeth its boards, and placeth its bars, and raiseth its pillars,

19 and spreadeth the tent over the tabernacle, and putteth the covering of the tent upon it above, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

20 And he taketh and putteth the testimony unto the ark, and setteth the staves on the ark, and putteth the mercy-seat on the ark above;

21 and bringeth in the ark unto the tabernacle, and placeth the vail of the covering, and covereth over the ark of the testimony, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

22 And he putteth the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, at the outside of the vail,

23 and setteth in order upon it the arrangement of bread, before Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

24 And he putteth the candlestick in the tent of meeting, over-against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward,

25 and causeth the lamps to go up before Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

26 And he setteth the golden altar in the tent of meeting, before the vail,

27 and maketh perfume on it -- spice-perfume -- as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

28 And he setteth the covering of the opening to the tabernacle,

29 and the altar of the burnt-offering he hath set at the opening of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and causeth the burnt-offering to go up upon it, and the present, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

30 And he putteth the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and putteth water there for washing,

31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons have washed their hands and their feet at the same;

32 in their going in unto the tent of meeting, and in their drawing near unto the altar, they wash, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

33 And he raiseth up the court round about the tabernacle, and about the altar, and placeth the covering of the gate of the court; and Moses completeth the work.

34 And the cloud covereth the tent of meeting, and the honour of Jehovah hath filled the tabernacle;

35 and Moses hath not been able to go in unto the tent of meeting, for the cloud hath tabernacled on it, and the honour of Jehovah hath filled the tabernacle.

36 And in the going up of the cloud from off the tabernacle the sons of Israel journey in all their journeys;

37 and if the cloud go not up then they journey not, until the day of its going up:

38 for the cloud of Jehovah `is' on the tabernacle by day, and fire is in it by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel in all their journeys.


Exodus 40:1-38 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

2 On the day of the first month, on the first of the month, shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

3 And thou shalt put in it the ark of the testimony, and shalt cover the ark with the veil.

4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it. And thou shalt bring in the candlestick and light its lamps.

5 And thou shalt set the golden altar for the incense before the ark of the testimony; and hang up the curtain of the entrance to the tabernacle.

6 And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water in it.

8 And thou shalt fix the court round about, and hang up the curtain at the gate of the court.

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is in it, and shalt hallow it, and all its utensils; and it shall be holy.

10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of burnt-offering, and all its utensils; and thou shalt hallow the altar, and the altar shall be most holy.

11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and its stand, and hallow it.

12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons near, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and bathe them with water.

13 And thou shalt clothe Aaron with the holy garments, and anoint him, and hallow him, that he may serve me as priest.

14 And thou shalt bring his sons near, and clothe them with vests.

15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall be to them an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 And Moses did so: as Jehovah had commanded him, so did he.

17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first of the month, that the tabernacle was set up.

18 And Moses set up the tabernacle, and put in its bases, and fixed its boards, and put in its bars, and set up its pillars.

19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above over it; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark.

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and hung up the veil of separation, and covered the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, outside the veil,

23 and arranged the bread in order upon it before Jehovah; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of meeting, opposite to the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.

25 And he lighted the lamps before Jehovah; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil.

27 And he burnt on it fragrant incense; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

28 And he hung up the curtain of the entrance to the tabernacle.

29 And he put the altar of burnt-offering at the entrance to the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt-offering and the oblation; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

30 And he set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing.

31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet out of it:

32 when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they drew near to the altar, they washed; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

33 And he set up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the curtain of the gate of the court. And so Moses finished the work.

34 And the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

35 And Moses could not enter into the tent of meeting, for the cloud abode on it, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel journeyed in all their journeys.

37 And if the cloud were not taken up, then they did not journey until the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of Jehovah was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.


Exodus 40:1-38 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

2 "On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tent of the Tent of Meeting.

3 You shall put the ark of the testimony in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.

4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lampstand, and light the lamps of it.

5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tent.

6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tent of the tent of meeting.

7 You shall set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein.

8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tent, and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture: and it will be holy.

10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar: and the altar will be most holy.

11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of meeting, and shall wash them with water.

13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.

14 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them.

15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest's office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

16 Thus did Moses: according to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.

17 It happened in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tent was raised up.

18 Moses raised up the tent, and laid its sockets, and set up the boards of it, and put in the bars of it, and raised up its pillars.

19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tent above on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

20 He took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.

21 He brought the ark into the tent, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tent northward, outside of the veil.

23 He set the bread in order on it before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the side of the tent southward.

25 He lit the lamps before Yahweh, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil;

27 and he burnt incense of sweet spices on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

28 He put up the screen of the door to the tent.

29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tent of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal-offering, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash.

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

32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Yahweh commanded Moses.

33 He raised up the court around the tent and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tent.

35 Moses wasn't able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh's glory filled the tent.

36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tent, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys;

37 but if the cloud wasn't taken up, then they didn't travel until the day that it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of Yahweh was on the tent by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.


Exodus 40:1-38 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And the Lord said to Moses,

2 On the first day of the first month you are to put up the House of the Tent of meeting.

3 And inside it put the ark of the law, hanging the veil before it.

4 And put the table inside, placing all the things on it in order; and put in the support for the lights, and let its lights be burning.

5 And put the gold altar for burning perfumes in front of the ark of the law, hanging the curtain over the doorway of the House.

6 And put the altar of burned offerings before the doorway of the House of the Tent of meeting.

7 And let the washing-vessel, with water in it, be put between the Tent of meeting and the altar.

8 And put up the hangings forming the open space all round it, with the curtain over its doorway.

9 And take the holy oil and put it on the House and everything in it, and make it and everything in it holy:

10 And put oil on the altar of burned offering, and make it and all its vessels holy; this altar is to be most holy.

11 And put oil on the washing-vessel and its base, and make them holy.

12 Then let Aaron and his sons come to the door of the Tent of meeting; and after washing them with water,

13 You are to put on Aaron the holy robes; and you are to put oil on him, and make him holy, so that he may be my priest.

14 And take his sons with him and put coats on them;

15 And put oil on them as you did on their father, so that they may be my priests: the putting on of oil will make them priests for ever, from generation to generation.

16 And Moses did this; as the Lord gave him orders, so he did.

17 So on the first day of the first month in the second year the House was put up.

18 Moses put up the House; placing its bases in position and lifting up its uprights, putting in the rods and planting the pillars in their places;

19 Stretching the outer tent over it, and covering it, as the Lord had given him orders.

20 And he took the law and put it inside the ark, and put the rods at its side and the cover over it;

21 And he took the ark into the House, hanging up the veil before it as the Lord had given him orders.

22 And he put the table in the Tent of meeting, on the north side outside the veil.

23 And he put the bread on it in order before the Lord, as the Lord had said.

24 The support for the lights he put in the Tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side:

25 Lighting the lights before the Lord, as the Lord had given him orders.

26 And he put the gold altar in the Tent of meeting, in front of the veil:

27 Burning sweet perfumes on it, as the Lord had given him orders.

28 And he put up the curtain at the doorway of the House.

29 And at the door of the House of the Tent of meeting, he put the altar of burned offerings, offering on it the burned offering and the meal offering, as the Lord had given him orders.

30 And between the altar and the Tent of meeting he put the vessel with water in it for washing.

31 In it the hands and feet of Moses and Aaron and his sons were washed,

32 Whenever they went into the Tent of meeting, and when they came near the altar, as the Lord had given orders to Moses.

33 And he put up the hangings forming the open space round the House and the altar, and put the curtain over the doorway. So Moses made the work complete.

34 Then the cloud came down covering the Tent of meeting, and the House was full of the glory of the Lord;

35 So that Moses was not able to go into the Tent of meeting, because the cloud was resting on it, and the House was full of the glory of the Lord.

36 And whenever the cloud was taken up from the House, the children of Israel went forward on their journey:

37 But while the cloud was there, they made no move till it was taken up.

38 For the cloud of the Lord was resting on the House by day, and at night there was fire in the cloud, before the eyes of all the people of Israel, and so it was through all their journeys.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Exodus 40

Commentary on Exodus 40 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 40

In this chapter,

  • I. Orders are given for the setting up of the tabernacle and the fixing of all the appurtenances of it in their proper places (v. 1-8), and the consecrating of it (v. 9-11), and of the priests (v. 12-15).
  • II. Care is taken to do all this, and as it was appointed to be done (v. 16-33).
  • III. God takes possession of it by the cloud (v. 34, etc.).

Exd 40:1-15

The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together.

  • 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Ps. 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (v. 2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, 2 Chr. 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (v. 2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (v. 3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (v. 4, 5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (v. 6, 7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses.
  • 2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, ch. 30:25, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, v. 9-11. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place.
  • 3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, v. 12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, ch. 29. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing.

Exd 40:16-33

When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off the rearing of it till they came to Canaan, though they now hoped to be there very shortly; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp, while they were in the wilderness. Those that are unsettled in the world must not think that this will excuse them in their continued irreligion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is a very needful and profitable companion even in a wilderness, especially considering that our carcases may fall in that wilderness, and we may be fixed in another world before we come to fix in this.

The rearing of the tabernacle was a good day's work; the consecrating of it, and of the priests, was attended to some days after. Here we have an account only of that new-year's-day's work.

  • 1. Moses not only did all that God directed him to do, but in the order that God appointed; for God will be sought in the due order.
  • 2. To each particular there is added an express reference to the divine appointment, which Moses governed himself by as carefully and conscientiously as the workmen did; and therefore, as before, so here it is repeated, as the Lord commanded Moses, seven times in less than fourteen verses. Moses himself, as great a man as he was, would not pretend to vary from the institution, neither to add to it nor diminish from it, in the least punctilio. Those that command others must remember that their Master also is in heaven, and they must do as they are commanded.
  • 3. That which was to be veiled be veiled (v. 21), and that which was to be used he used immediately, for the instruction of the priests, that by seeing him do the several offices they might learn to do them the more dexterously. Though Moses was not properly a priest, yet he is numbered among the priests (Ps. 99:6), and the Jewish writers call him the priest of the priests; what he did he did by special warrant and direction from God, rather as a prophet, or law-giver, than as a priest. He set the wheels a going, and then left the work in the hands of the appointed ministry.
    • (1.) When he had placed the table, he set the show-bread in order upon it (v. 23); for God will never have his table unfurnished.
    • (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick, he lighted the lamps before the Lord, v. 25. Even that dark dispensation would not admit of unlighted candles.
    • (3.) The golden altar being put in its place, immediately he burnt sweet incense thereon (v. 27); for God's altar must be a smoking altar.
    • (4.) The altar of the burnt-offering was no sooner set up in the court of the tabernacle than he had a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it, v. 29. Some think, though this is mentioned here, it was not done till some time after; but it seems to me that he immediately began the ceremony of its consecration, though it was not completed for seven days.
    • (5.) At the laver likewise, when he had fixed that, Moses himself washed his hands and feet. Thus, in all these instances, he not only showed the priests how to do their duty, but has taught us that God's gifts are intended for use, and not barely for show. Though the altars, and table, and candlestick, were fresh and new, he did not say it was a pity to sully them; no, he handselled them immediately. Talents were given to be occupied, not to be buried.

Exd 40:34-38

As when, in the creation, God had finished this earth, which he designed for man's habitation, he made man, and put him in possession of it, so when Moses had finished the tabernacle, which was designed for God's dwelling-place among men, God came and took possession of it. The shechinah, the divine eternal Word, though not yet made flesh, yet, as a prelude to that event, came and dwelt among them, Jn. 1:14. This was henceforward the place of his throne, and the place of the soles of his feet (Eze. 43:7); here he resided, here he ruled. By the visible tokens of God's coming among them to take possession of the tabernacle he testified both the return of his favour to them, which they had forfeited by the golden calf (ch. 33:7), and his gracious acceptance of all the expense they had been at, and all the care and pains they had taken about the tabernacle. Thus God owned them, showed himself well pleased with what they had done, and abundantly rewarded them. Note, God will dwell with those that prepare him a habitation. The broken and contrite heart, the clean and holy heart, that is furnished for his service, and devoted to his honour, shall be his rest for ever; here will Christ dwell by faith, Eph. 3:17. Where God has a throne and an altar in the soul, there is a living temple. And God will be sure to own and crown the operations of his own grace and the observance of his own appointments.

As God had manifested himself upon mount Sinai, so he did now in this newly-erected tabernacle. We read (ch. 24:16) that the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, which is said to be like devouring fire (v. 17), and that the cloud covered it on the outside, and the glory of the Lord filled it within, to which, probably there is an allusion in Zec. 2:5, where God promises to be a wall of fire round about Jerusalem (and the pillar of cloud was by night a pillar of fire) and the glory in the midst of her.

  • I. The cloud covered the tent. That same cloud which, as the chariot or pavilion of the shechinah, had come up before them out of Egypt and led them hither, now settled upon the tabernacle and hovered over it, even in the hottest and clearest day; for it was none of those clouds which the sun scatters. This cloud was intended to be,
    • 1. A token of God's presence constantly visible day and night (v. 38) to all Israel, even to those that lay in the remotest corners of the camp, that they might never again make a question of it, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? That very cloud which had already been so pregnant with wonders in the Red Sea, and on mount Sinai, sufficient to prove God in it of a truth, was continually in sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys; so that they were inexcusable if they believed not their own eyes.
    • 2. A concealment of the tabernacle, and the glory of God in it. God did indeed dwell among them, but he dwelt in a cloud: Verily thou art a God that hidest, thyself. Blessed be God for the gospel of Christ, in which we all with open face behold as in a glass, not in a cloud, the glory of the Lord.
    • 3. A protection of the tabernacle. They had sheltered it with one covering upon another, but, after all, the cloud that covered it was its best guard. Those that dwell in the house of the Lord are hidden there, and are safe under the divine protection, Ps. 27:4, 5. Yet this, which was then a peculiar favour to the tabernacle, is promised to every dwelling-place of mount Zion (Isa. 4:5); for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
    • 4. A guide to the camp of Israel in their march through the wilderness, v. 36, 37. While the cloud continued on the tabernacle, they rested; when it removed, they removed and followed it, as being purely under divine direction. This is spoken of more fully, Num. 9:15, etc. and mentioned with thankfulness, to the glory of God, long afterward, Neh. 9:19; Ps. 78:14; 105:39. As before the tabernacle was set up the Israelites had the cloud for their guide, which appeared sometimes in one place and sometimes in another, but henceforward rested on the tabernacle and was to be found there only, so the church had divine revelation for its guide from the first, before the scriptures were written, but since the making up of that canon it rests in that as its tabernacle, and there only it is to be found, as in the creation the light which was made the first day, centered in the sun the fourth day. Blessed be God for the law and the testimony!
  • II. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, v. 34, 35. The shechinah now made an awful and pompous entry into the tabernacle, through the outer part of which it passed into the most holy place, as the presence-chamber, and there seated itself between the cherubim. It was in light and fire, and (for aught we know) no otherwise, that the shechinah made itself visible; for God is light; our God is a consuming fire. With these the tabernacle was now filled, yet, as before the bush was not consumed, so now the curtains were not so much as singed by this fire; for to those that have received the anointing the terrible majesty of God is not destroying. Yet so dazzling was the light, and so dreadful was the fire, that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, at the door of which he attended, till the splendour had a little abated, and the glory of the Lord retired within the veil, v. 35. This shows how terrible the glory and majesty of God are, and how unable the greatest and best of men are to stand before him. The divine light and fire, let forth in their full strength, will overpower the strongest heads and the purest hearts. But what Moses could not do, in that he was weak through the flesh, has been done by our Lord Jesus, whom God caused to draw near and approach, and who, as the forerunner, has for us entered, and has invited us to come boldly even to the mercy-seat. He was able to enter into the holy place not made with hands (Heb. 9:24); nay, he is himself the true tabernacle, filled with the glory of God (Jn. 1:14), even with the divine grace and truth prefigured by this fire and light. In him the shechinah took up its rest for ever, for in him dwells all the fulness of the godhead bodily. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!