Exodus 40:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Set the gold altar for incense in front of the ark for the testimony, and set up the screen at the entrance to the tabernacle.

Berean Standard Bible:

Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 10:19

  • ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:22

  • Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1 John 2:1

  • ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:2

  • And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Hebrews 9:24

  • For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

John 14:6

  • Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Exodus 26:36

  • And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.

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Commentary for Exodus 40:5

**Themes:**
Exodus 40:5 touches on several key themes:

1. **Divine Instruction:** The verse is part of God's detailed directives to Moses regarding the construction and arrangement of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following divine blueprints for sacred spaces.
2. **Worship and Sacrifice:** The mention of the altar of gold for incense reflects the theme of worship through sacrifice and prayer, as incense was a symbolic representation of prayers rising to God.
3. **Holiness and Separation:** The placement of the altar before the Ark of the Testimony (which housed the Ten Commandments) underscores the concept of holiness, with the sanctity of God's presence increasing as one moved deeper into the Tabernacle.
4. **Covenant Relationship:** The Tabernacle was central to Israel's covenant relationship with God, serving as the place where God would meet with Moses and where atonement for the people's sins was made.

**Historical Context:**
Exodus 40:5 is set at the end of the book of Exodus, after the Israelites have been freed from slavery in Egypt and are wandering in the Sinai desert. God has given Moses the Law, including the Ten Commandments, and now provides instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as the center of worship for the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land.

The Tabernacle was to be erected according to a precise pattern revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. This verse is part of the final instructions regarding the proper placement of the altar of incense and the hanging of the door to the Tabernacle, ensuring that every detail was in accordance with God's design. The historical context reflects a period of transition and formation for the Israelite community, with the Tabernacle serving as a tangible symbol of God's dwelling among His people.

*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: H5414
    There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָתַן
    Transliteration: nâthan
    Pronunciation: naw-than'
    Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
  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: H2091
    There are 336 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זָהָב
    Transliteration: zâhâb
    Pronunciation: zaw-hawb'
    Description: from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; gold(-en), fair weather.
  4. Strong's Number: H7004
    There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קְטֹרֶת
    Transliteration: qᵉṭôreth
    Pronunciation: ket-o'-reth
    Description: from קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume.
  5. Strong's Number: H6440
    There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנִים
    Transliteration: pânîym
    Pronunciation: paw-neem'
    Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
  6. Strong's Number: H727
    There are 467 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָרוֹן
    Transliteration: ʼârôwn
    Pronunciation: aw-rone'
    Description: or אָרֹן; from אָרָה (in the sense of gathering); a box; ark, chest, coffin.
  7. Strong's Number: H5715
    There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵדוּת
    Transliteration: ʻêdûwth
    Pronunciation: ay-dooth'
    Description: feminine of עֵד; testimony; testimony, witness.
  8. Strong's Number: H7760
    There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שׂוּם
    Transliteration: sûwm
    Pronunciation: soom
    Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
  9. Strong's Number: H4539
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָסָךְ
    Transliteration: mâçâk
    Pronunciation: maw-sawk'
    Description: from סָכַךְ; a cover, i.e. veil; covering, curtain, hanging.
  10. Strong's Number: H6607
    There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּתַח
    Transliteration: pethach
    Pronunciation: peh'-thakh
    Description: from פָּתַח; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way; door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place.
  11. Strong's Number: H4908
    There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִשְׁכָּן
    Transliteration: mishkân
    Pronunciation: mish-kawn'
    Description: from שָׁכַן; a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls); dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent.