Exodus 25:40

KJV

And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

KJV (with Strong's)

And look {H7200} that thou make {H6213} them after their pattern {H8403}, which was shewed {H7200} thee in the mount {H2022}.

Complete Jewish Bible

See that you make them according to the design being shown you on the mountain.

Berean Standard Bible

See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

American Standard Version

And see that thou make them after their pattern, which hath been showed thee in the mount.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 25:40 concludes God's detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, serving as a pivotal command to Moses. It underscores the divine origin and absolute precision required for every aspect of the sanctuary. Moses is explicitly commanded to ensure that all elements are crafted exactly "after their pattern," a blueprint divinely revealed to him on Mount Sinai. This verse highlights God's meticulous nature, His sovereign authority over worship, and the foundational truth that the earthly Tabernacle was a tangible representation of a greater, heavenly reality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 25:40 serves as the culminating directive within a lengthy section of divine instructions concerning the Tabernacle, beginning in [Exodus 25:1](/exodus/25-1 "Exodus 25:1 - Command to Build the Tabernacle"). Chapters 25-31 of Exodus meticulously detail the materials, dimensions, and design specifications for the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Menorah, the Tabernacle structure itself, the altar, the courtyard, priestly garments, and anointing oil. This particular verse acts as a summary and emphatic reiteration of God's overarching demand for exact adherence to His revealed designs for all components of the sacred dwelling. It is a concluding statement to the instructions for the furnishings, reinforcing the non-negotiable nature of the divine blueprint before moving to the Tabernacle's structure and the appointment of its priests.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this point in the narrative, the Israelites have recently been delivered from slavery in Egypt and have entered into a covenant relationship with God at Mount Sinai. God has descended upon the mountain in a powerful display of His presence ([Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Descent on Sinai")). Moses has ascended the mountain to receive the Law and detailed instructions for their worship and communal life. He spends forty days and forty nights in God's presence ([Exodus 24:18](/exodus/24-18 "Exodus 24:18 - Moses on Mount Sinai")). The Tabernacle was to be God's dwelling place among His people, symbolizing His presence and holiness in their midst. Its construction was not merely an architectural project but a theological act, establishing the means by which a holy God could dwell with an unholy people. The precision demanded in [Exodus 25:40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25:40 - The Divine Pattern") reflects the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him on His terms, not human ones, particularly for a people emerging from pagan influences.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological themes central to the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Worship**, emphasizing that God alone dictates the terms and forms of acceptable worship. Human ingenuity or preference has no place in designing the means by which a holy God is approached. Secondly, it underscores the **Holiness of God**, demonstrating that His dwelling place must be set apart and constructed with absolute precision to reflect His perfect nature. Any deviation would profane His presence. Lastly, it introduces the profound concept of an **Earthly Shadow of Heavenly Reality**, suggesting that the Tabernacle was not an end in itself but a tangible, albeit temporary, representation of a greater, pre-existent spiritual reality. This theme is later extensively developed in the New Testament, particularly in [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - Christ, the Superior High Priest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pattern (Hebrew, _tabnîyth'_):** This word (H8403) signifies a structure, model, figure, or likeness. It implies a precise design, a blueprint, or an exact copy. In this context, it emphasizes that the Tabernacle and its furnishings were not to be products of human ingenuity or artistic license, but rather faithful reproductions of a divinely originated and revealed archetype. The use of _tabnîyth_ here strongly suggests a pre-existing, ideal form that Moses was shown, underscoring the heavenly origin of the sanctuary's design and its perfect, unchangeable nature.
* **Shewed (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** The verb (H7200) means "to see," "to appear," or "to show." Its use here indicates that Moses did not merely receive verbal instructions, but had a direct, visual revelation of the designs. God actively "showed" him the pattern, implying a clear, visual manifestation of the heavenly blueprint. This direct divine showing authenticated the design and left no room for misinterpretation or deviation, reinforcing the imperative nature of the command and the divine authority behind every detail.
* **Make (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) means "to do or make" in the broadest sense and widest application. In this context, it carries the weight of execution, accomplishment, and precise fabrication. The command to "make" them "after their pattern" is not merely a suggestion but a divine mandate for diligent and accurate construction. It implies the need for skilled craftsmanship coupled with unwavering adherence to the revealed specifications, highlighting the sacredness of the task.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And look that thou make [them]":** This opening phrase is an emphatic command, an imperative directed to Moses. The phrase "look that thou make" (literally "and see, and make") conveys a sense of careful attention, diligent oversight, and precise execution. It places the responsibility squarely on Moses to ensure that every detail of the Tabernacle and its components is crafted exactly as instructed, leaving no room for error or improvisation. This stresses the importance of intentionality and faithful obedience in divine service.
* **"after their pattern":** This is the core of the command, specifying the standard for construction. "Their pattern" refers to the specific, detailed designs for each item previously described (the Ark, Table, Menorah, etc.). The use of "their" emphasizes that each piece had its own distinct, divinely ordained blueprint. This phrase underscores the principle that the earthly sanctuary was to be a copy, a faithful reproduction, of a pre-existing divine model, not an original human creation. It highlights God's pre-eminence as the ultimate architect and designer.
* **"which was shewed thee in the mount":** This clause clarifies the origin and authority of the "pattern." It explicitly states that the blueprint was not a product of Moses's imagination or a human design, but something directly revealed to him by God on Mount Sinai. This divine showing validates the pattern's authenticity and infallibility, establishing it as the ultimate, non-negotiable standard for the Tabernacle's construction. It grounds the entire project in divine revelation and authority.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 25:40 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the entire Tabernacle, and thus its "pattern," functions as a symbol of God's presence among His people and a foreshadowing of greater spiritual realities. The earthly sanctuary is presented as a tangible, albeit temporary, representation of a heavenly dwelling, making the physical structure a pointer to metaphysical truths. The verse also features **Divine Command**, expressed through the imperative "look that thou make," which highlights God's absolute authority and His expectation of precise obedience from Moses and, by extension, from Israel. This command is reinforced by the explicit mention of the divine origin of the pattern ("which was shewed thee in the mount"), emphasizing God as the ultimate architect and the source of all legitimate design for worship. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** of the theme of divine precision and adherence to the pattern throughout the Tabernacle instructions (e.g., [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Make According to the Pattern"), [Exodus 26:30](/exodus/26-30 "Exodus 26:30 - Erect the Tabernacle According to its Pattern")), underscoring its critical importance for the integrity of the sanctuary and the validity of Israel's worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 25:40 profoundly establishes the principle of divine authority in worship and service. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent to how He is approached or worshipped; rather, He prescribes the exact means and forms. This meticulous instruction underscores His holiness and sovereignty, demanding that human efforts align perfectly with His revealed will. The concept of a "pattern" also introduces the profound theological truth of a heavenly archetype, suggesting that the earthly Tabernacle was a copy or shadow of a greater, pre-existent reality in the heavens. This idea elevates the significance of the Tabernacle beyond a mere tent, imbuing it with cosmic and eternal implications, and setting a precedent for God's precise requirements for His covenant people.

* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Tabernacle as a Shadow of Heavenly Things")
* [1 Chronicles 28:19](/1_chronicles/28-19 "1 Chronicles 28:19 - David's Pattern for the Temple")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 25:40 holds enduring relevance for believers today, transcending its immediate historical context. It calls us to consider the profound truth that God has a divine blueprint for all aspects of life, worship, and service. Just as Moses was commanded to adhere strictly to the heavenly pattern for the Tabernacle, we are called to seek and follow God's revealed will in His Word for our lives, families, and churches. This means moving beyond human preferences, traditions, or pragmatic approaches, and diligently studying Scripture to understand God's design for holiness, community, and mission. Our worship should reflect His glory, our service His character, and our lives His purposes. The verse reminds us that true spiritual effectiveness and blessing come from aligning ourselves with God's perfect, eternal plan, recognizing that our earthly actions have eternal significance when they reflect His heavenly realities. It challenges us to examine whether our spiritual practices are truly God-centered or merely man-centered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, worship, or service am I tempted to rely on human wisdom or preferences rather than God's revealed "pattern"?**
* **How does the emphasis on divine precision in the Tabernacle's construction inform my understanding of God's character and His expectations for my obedience?**
* **What does it mean to live with an "eternal perspective," recognizing that earthly actions should align with heavenly realities, as implied by the "pattern" in this verse?**

### FAQ
**Why was God so particular about the Tabernacle's design and construction?**

Answer: God's meticulousness in the Tabernacle's design, as emphasized in [Exodus 25:40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25:40 - The Divine Pattern"), was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it underscored His absolute holiness and transcendence. A holy God could not be approached on human terms; His dwelling place had to reflect His perfect nature. Secondly, it demonstrated His sovereign authority over worship. The Tabernacle was not merely a functional structure but a theological statement, precisely dictating how a sinful people could approach a holy God. Thirdly, the precision ensured the Tabernacle would serve as an accurate "pattern" or "shadow" of future spiritual realities, ultimately pointing to Christ. As [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Tabernacle as a Shadow of Heavenly Things") explains, the earthly sanctuary was a copy and shadow of heavenly things, requiring exact replication to fulfill its prophetic purpose. Any deviation would compromise its symbolic integrity and the purity of Israel's worship, potentially leading to idolatry or improper reverence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 25:40, with its insistence on the Tabernacle being made "after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The earthly Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as a tangible, yet temporary, dwelling place for God among His people, a "shadow" of the true reality to come. Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect embodiment of this divine pattern. He is the true tabernacle, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Where the Tabernacle was a physical structure pointing to God's presence, Christ is God's presence in person, perfectly fulfilling the divine blueprint for God's dwelling with His people. The sacrifices offered in the Tabernacle, made according to the pattern, foreshadowed His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest of the Greater Tabernacle")), which perfectly atoned for sin in a way the animal sacrifices never could. He is the substance to which the Tabernacle was merely the shadow ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - These are a Shadow of the Things to Come")), the heavenly reality that the earthly pattern anticipated. Thus, the divine pattern revealed to Moses on Sinai was not merely for a tent, but for the very person and work of the Son of God, who perfectly fulfilled every aspect of God's eternal design for redemption and communion, establishing a new and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Through the Veil, that is, His Flesh")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 26:30

And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

Acts 7:44

Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

Hebrews 8:5

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Exodus 25:9

According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].

Numbers 8:4

And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

1 Chronicles 28:19

All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

1 Chronicles 28:11

¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,