Exodus 40:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Anoint the altar for burnt offerings with all its utensils - consecrate the altar; then the altar will be especially holy.

Berean Standard Bible:

Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 1:35

  • And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Isaiah 61:1

  • ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

Exodus 29:36

  • And thou shalt offer every day a bullock [for] a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Exodus 29:37

  • Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

Leviticus 8:11

  • And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.

John 3:34

  • For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].

2 Corinthians 5:21

  • For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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Commentary for Exodus 40:10

**Exodus 40:10 Summary:**

**Themes:**
1. **Purification and Consecration:** The act of anointing the altar with oil symbolizes its dedication to God and sets it apart for sacred use. This theme of sanctification is central to the religious practices of the Israelites, emphasizing the holiness required for worship.
2. **Divine Presence:** The sanctification of the altar is part of a larger process of preparing the Tabernacle for God's presence. The emphasis on holiness reflects the belief that God is holy and that His dwelling place must be equally sacred.
3. **Covenant Relationship:** The detailed instructions for anointing the altar underscore the importance of following God's commands, which is integral to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

**Historical Context:**
- **Setting:** Exodus 40:10 is set at the end of the book of Exodus, after the Israelites have fled Egypt and are in the wilderness. God has given Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, which is to serve as the center of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among the people.
- **Purpose:** The Tabernacle and its altars are being prepared for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history where they transition from a loosely organized group of former slaves to a nation with a formal, God-ordained structure for worship and community life.
- **Cultic Practice:** Anointing with oil was a common ritual in the ancient Near East, signifying the dedication of objects and people to divine service. This practice is here applied to the altar of burnt offering, which is central to the sacrificial system that God prescribes for the Israelites.

In summary, Exodus 40:10 reflects the themes of sanctification and divine presence within the historical context of the Israelites' establishment of formal worship practices following their exodus from Egypt. It represents a key moment in the institution of the Tabernacle, which is foundational to the religious identity and covenantal obligations of the Israelite nation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H4886
    There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָשַׁח
    Transliteration: mâshach
    Pronunciation: maw-shakh'
    Description: a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint; anoint, paint.
  2. Strong's Number: H4196
    There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
    Transliteration: mizbêach
    Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
    Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.
  3. Strong's Number: H5930
    There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֹלָה
    Transliteration: ʻôlâh
    Pronunciation: o-law'
    Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.
  4. Strong's Number: H3627
    There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כְּלִי
    Transliteration: kᵉlîy
    Pronunciation: kel-ee'
    Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever.
  5. Strong's Number: H6942
    There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָדַשׁ
    Transliteration: qâdash
    Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
    Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly.
  6. Strong's Number: H6944
    There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
    Transliteration: qôdesh
    Pronunciation: ko'-desh
    Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.