Exodus 40:18

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.

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}.

Moshe erected the tabernacle, put its sockets in place, put up its planks, put in its crossbars and set up its posts.

When Moses set up the tabernacle, he laid its bases, positioned its frames, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts.

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.

Commentary

Exodus 40:18 KJV details the meticulous final steps taken by Moses in the erection of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary designed by God for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This verse highlights Moses's faithful execution of the divine blueprint, bringing the sacred structure to completion.

Context of Exodus 40:18

This verse is part of the concluding chapter of the Book of Exodus, which culminates in the assembly and dedication of the Tabernacle. After receiving elaborate and precise instructions from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:8), and overseeing its construction by skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Aholiab, Moses himself takes charge of the final assembly. The preceding chapters meticulously describe the making of each component, and chapter 40 records the systematic process of putting it all together, exactly "as the LORD commanded Moses." This act signifies the fulfillment of God's command and prepares for His dwelling among His people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Obedience and Faithfulness: Moses's actions in this verse exemplify perfect obedience to God's detailed instructions. Every component, from the "sockets" to the "boards" and "pillars," was assembled precisely as commanded, underscoring the importance of following divine mandates in all aspects of life and worship.
  • Divine Presence: The successful erection of the Tabernacle paved the way for God's glory to fill it, as described in Exodus 40:34. This structure was the central point of God's presence among Israel, serving as a tangible symbol of His covenant relationship with them.
  • Order and Design: The verse's descriptive language ("fastened his sockets," "set up the boards," "put in the bars," "reared up his pillars") emphasizes the highly ordered and structured nature of the Tabernacle's construction. This reflects God's character as a God of order and precision.
  • Culmination of a Journey: The completion of the Tabernacle marked a significant milestone in Israel's journey through the wilderness, providing a consecrated space for worship, sacrifice, and communion with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "reared up" is qûm, which conveys the sense of establishing, raising, or setting something upright. It indicates a deliberate and complete act of bringing the structure into its full standing position. The specific components mentioned—"sockets" ('ădānîm, the foundational bases, typically silver or bronze), "boards" (qerāšîm, the upright wooden frames forming the walls), "bars" (berîḥîm, the horizontal pieces used to secure the boards), and "pillars" ('ammûdîm, supports for curtains and veils)—all point to the precise engineering and construction required for this sacred, portable sanctuary.

Practical Application

Exodus 40:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diligent obedience in spiritual matters. Just as Moses meticulously followed God's blueprint for the Tabernacle, believers are called to build their lives and faith according to God's revealed will. The Tabernacle, a dwelling place for God, foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church as God's spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16) and even the individual believer as a dwelling for the Holy Spirit. This verse encourages us to be faithful stewards of the spiritual structures God calls us to build, ensuring they are established on solid foundations and in accordance with His divine design.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 16:18

    And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

  • Exodus 36:20

    And he made boards for the tabernacle [of] shittim wood, standing up.

  • Exodus 36:34

    And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings [of] gold [to be] places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

  • Ezekiel 37:27

    My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Ezekiel 37:28

    And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

  • 1 Timothy 3:15

    But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

  • Galatians 4:4

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
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