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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 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 (Exo 40:21), 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 (Psa 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 (Exo 40:23); for God will never have his table unfurnished. (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick, he lighted the lamps before the Lord, Exo 40:25. 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 (Exo 40:27); 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, Exo 40:29. 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.
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Summary
Exodus 40:17 precisely chronicles the completion of a monumental divine undertaking: the erection of the Tabernacle. This pivotal moment, occurring exactly one year after the Exodus from Egypt, marked the culmination of God's meticulous instructions and the diligent obedience of the Israelites. It signified the establishment of God's physical dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, thereby inaugurating a new era of tangible divine presence, prescribed worship, and an intensified covenant relationship as Israel prepared for their journey to the Promised Land.
Context
Literary Context
Exodus 40:17 serves as the climactic verse in the extensive narrative detailing the Tabernacle's construction and erection, a process meticulously outlined since Exodus 25. Chapters 25-31 provide God's intricate blueprints delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, while chapters 35-39 meticulously describe the faithful execution of these plans by Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the skilled artisans of Israel. This verse, therefore, represents the successful completion of a monumental divine mandate, immediately preceding the glorious moment when the cloud of the Lord's presence covers the Tabernacle and His glory fills it, as powerfully described in Exodus 40:34-35. The precise dating here emphasizes the fulfillment of God's timing and sets the stage for the book of Leviticus, which immediately follows and outlines the laws, sacrifices, and rituals to be performed within this newly consecrated sanctuary, establishing the framework for Israel's worship life.
Historical & Cultural Context
Following their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites spent nearly a year encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. During this transformative period, God established His covenant with them, providing Moses with the comprehensive architectural plans for the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary designed to be His dwelling place among them, as commanded in Exodus 25:8. The dating in Exodus 40:17—"the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month"—is profoundly significant. It indicates that exactly one year after the Exodus (which occurred in the first month of the first year, Exodus 12:2), the intricate work was complete, and the Tabernacle was "reared up" or erected. This precise anniversary underscored the continuity of God's redemptive plan and His unwavering faithfulness to reside with His people as they journeyed through the wilderness, providing a visible and tangible sign of His presence, guidance, and provision.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Exodus and Israel's early history. Foremost is the theme of Divine Presence, as the Tabernacle's erection signifies God's tangible commitment to dwell among His chosen people, fulfilling His promise to be "God with us." This presence is not merely abstract but is made concrete in a physical structure, emphasizing God's desire for intimate communion. Another crucial theme is Obedience and Covenant Faithfulness. The meticulous construction and timely erection of the Tabernacle demonstrate Israel's obedience to God's detailed commands, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. This act of obedience prepares them for the subsequent instructions in Leviticus regarding how to approach and worship a holy God. Finally, the verse underscores God's Redemptive Plan. The Tabernacle is a vital step in God's plan to redeem a people for Himself, providing the means for atonement and reconciliation necessary for a holy God to dwell among a sinful people, thus enabling their journey towards the Promised Land.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From שָׁכַן (shâkan), meaning "to dwell." The term mishkân literally translates to "dwelling place" or "residence." In this context, it refers specifically to the portable sanctuary built by the Israelites according to divine specifications. Its primary theological significance is that it was designed as the earthly abode where God would condescend to dwell among His people. The erection of the mishkân in Exodus 40:17 signifies the physical manifestation of God's promise to be present with Israel, establishing a tangible space for communion, worship, and atonement, and making His presence accessible.
A primitive root meaning "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); to establish, to set up, to raise." In the Hiphil stem, as used here (Hiphil participle, muqam), it means "to cause to stand" or "to establish firmly." This signifies more than just the assembly of physical parts; it implies the firm, deliberate, and divinely authorized establishment of the Tabernacle for its intended sacred purpose. It denotes the act of setting something into its proper, functional, and enduring place, emphasizing the stability and permanence of God's presence among His people, even within a portable structure.
Verse Breakdown
"And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first [day] of the month"
This highly precise chronological marker is profoundly significant. It places the Tabernacle's erection exactly one year to the day after the first Passover and the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:2). This anniversary underscores the completion of a major phase in Israel's history—from liberation to the establishment of God's immediate dwelling among them. It signifies a new beginning, a fresh start for the nation under God's direct presence, and emphasizes God's meticulous ordering of time and events within His grand redemptive plan, highlighting His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
"[that] the tabernacle was reared up"
This clause describes the climactic action of the entire Tabernacle narrative. After months of careful construction, meticulous craftsmanship, and faithful adherence to divine specifications, the portable sanctuary was finally assembled, erected, and put into its functional and consecrated state. The phrase "reared up" (Hebrew: qûwm, in its Hiphil form) implies not just a physical assembly but the divine authorization, establishment, and consecration of this sacred space. It represents the fulfillment of God's command to build Him a dwelling, signifying the tangible reality of His covenant faithfulness and His profound desire for intimate communion with His chosen people.
Literary Devices
Exodus 40:17 prominently employs Chronological Precision, providing an exact date for the Tabernacle's erection. This specificity highlights the event's immense importance in the divine timeline and underscores God's meticulous ordering of history and His covenant dealings with Israel. It also functions as a powerful Culmination, serving as the climax of the extensive narrative detailing the Tabernacle's design and construction (Exodus 25-39). The act of "rearing up" the Tabernacle is presented as the successful completion of a monumental task, bringing the architectural and labor narratives to their intended, glorious conclusion. Furthermore, the Tabernacle itself serves as profound Symbolism, representing God's active, tangible, and accessible presence among His people, a portable Sinai that would accompany them on their wilderness journey and serve as the central hub of their worship, national identity, and the means of atonement.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 40:17 encapsulates profound theological truths concerning God's nature and His relationship with humanity. The erection of the Tabernacle vividly demonstrates God's desire for intimate communion with His people, a desire that bridges the vast chasm between the holy God and sinful humanity. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, as He had pledged to dwell among them. The Tabernacle served as the physical manifestation of His presence, a visible sign of His guidance, protection, and provision, and the designated place for atonement and worship, thereby establishing the foundational patterns for Israel's religious life. This event marked a new phase in their journey, solidifying their identity as a people set apart for God and emphasizing that true worship and relationship with Yahweh were now possible through the prescribed means He had ordained.
Reflection and Application
The precise and momentous event of the Tabernacle's erection in Exodus 40:17 offers a rich tapestry for contemporary reflection and application. It profoundly reminds us of God's unwavering commitment to be present with His people, a truth that echoes through salvation history and culminates in Christ. Just as the Israelites diligently followed God's intricate blueprints for a physical dwelling, we are called to obediently build spiritual "tabernacles" in our lives—spaces where God's presence is welcomed, honored, and manifested. This involves cultivating personal holiness through prayer and scripture, fostering genuine community within the church as a corporate dwelling place for the Spirit, and actively participating in God's mission in the world as His ambassadors. The Tabernacle, though a physical structure, was ultimately about relationship; it was where God met with His people. For us today, this challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, seeking His presence not in a building, but within our hearts and in the fellowship of believers. It encourages us to recognize that God desires to dwell not just among us, but in us, transforming us into living sanctuaries for His Holy Spirit, making our lives a testament to His indwelling glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the date of the Tabernacle's erection so precisely stated in Exodus 40:17?
The precise dating—"the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month"—is highly significant for several reasons. First, it marks exactly one year since the Exodus from Egypt, which occurred in the first month of the first year (Exodus 12:2). This anniversary emphasizes the continuity of God's redemptive plan and His faithfulness in bringing His people from slavery to a settled, covenant relationship with Him, symbolized by His dwelling among them. Second, it highlights the completion of a major phase of God's instructions given at Mount Sinai, signifying that the Israelites had diligently obeyed all His commands regarding the Tabernacle's construction. This chronological marker underscores the divine order and timing in God's unfolding plan for Israel, emphasizing His sovereignty over history.
What was the primary purpose of the Tabernacle, and how did its erection fulfill that purpose?
The primary purpose of the Tabernacle, as explicitly stated by God in Exodus 25:8, was for Him to "dwell among" His people. Its erection in Exodus 40:17 fulfilled this purpose by providing a tangible, physical manifestation of God's holy presence in the very midst of Israel's wilderness camp. It was designed as a portable sanctuary where God would meet with Moses and the priests, where sacrifices for atonement could be offered, and where the divine glory would visibly reside (Exodus 40:34-35). The Tabernacle served as the central point of Israel's worship, identity, and their unique relationship with Yahweh, allowing a holy God to dwell among a sinful people through prescribed means of access and atonement, thereby making fellowship possible.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The erection of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:17, signifying God's dwelling among His people, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, with its intricate design, sacrificial system, and veiled holy of holies, was a magnificent shadow pointing to a greater, more perfect reality. The Apostle John powerfully declares that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," using the Greek word eskenosen (ἐσκήνωσεν), which literally means "tabernacled" or "pitched His tent." Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us," the perfect and complete manifestation of God's presence, no longer confined to a temporary tent but fully embodied in human form. Through His sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Christ accomplished what the Tabernacle system could only foreshadow: He made true and lasting communion with God possible, tearing down the veil that separated humanity from the divine presence (Matthew 27:51) and offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Furthermore, Christ's work inaugurated the era where God's Spirit now indwells believers, making them "the temple of the Holy Ghost" (1 Corinthians 6:19), a living, spiritual dwelling for God. Ultimately, the Tabernacle anticipates the glorious reality of the new heaven and new earth, where "the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them," a promise of eternal, unhindered communion with God in Christ.