Exodus 40:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Exodus 40:18 meticulously details the pivotal moment of the Tabernacle's final assembly, as Moses faithfully executes the divine blueprint. This verse describes the precise placement of foundational elements—sockets, boards, bars, and pillars—culminating the extensive construction process and preparing the sacred dwelling for the manifestation of God's glory among His people in the wilderness. It underscores the importance of meticulous obedience in fulfilling God's specific instructions for worship and communion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 40:18 is situated within the concluding chapter of the Book of Exodus, which serves as the grand finale to the narrative of Israel's liberation from Egypt and their establishment as God's covenant people. The preceding chapters, from [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") through [Exodus 39](/exodus/39 "Exodus 39 - Construction of the Tabernacle"), meticulously detail God's elaborate instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and the skilled craftsmanship employed by Bezalel and Oholiab to create each component. Chapter 40 then shifts from the *making* of the parts to their *assembly*, presenting a systematic, day-by-day account of the Tabernacle's erection, culminating in the divine glory filling the sanctuary (as seen in [Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the LORD Fills the Tabernacle")). This verse, therefore, marks a crucial step in the physical manifestation of God's dwelling place among His people, fulfilling the command given in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's forty-year wilderness journey after their exodus from Egypt. This period was formative for the nascent nation, as God established His covenant with them at Mount Sinai and provided the Law. The Tabernacle served as the central point of Israelite worship, a portable sanctuary that symbolized God's presence in their midst and His willingness to journey with them. Its design, though unique, incorporated elements common to ancient Near Eastern sacred spaces, such as a holy of holies and an outer court, yet it was distinct in its specific dimensions, materials, and purpose—to house the ark of the covenant and facilitate atonement. Moses's personal involvement in the final assembly, as described in this verse, highlights his unique role as mediator and leader, demonstrating his complete obedience to the divine instructions received on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"). The meticulous nature of the construction reflects a culture where precision in religious rites and structures was paramount, ensuring divine favor and proper communion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reared up (קוּם, _qûm_):** This Hebrew verb, appearing twice in the verse, signifies "to stand up," "to raise," "to establish," or "to set up." Its repetition emphasizes the deliberate, complete, and successful act of erecting the Tabernacle from its foundational elements to its full, upright position. It conveys the sense of bringing something into existence or establishing it firmly, highlighting the finality and stability of the structure.
* **Sockets (אֲדָנִים, _'ădānîm_):** These refer to the foundational bases, typically made of silver (for the boards) or bronze (for the pillars of the court), into which the upright wooden boards and pillars were inserted. The term denotes the solid, weighty supports that provided stability for the entire structure. Their mention first in the sequence of assembly underscores their critical role as the immovable anchors upon which the portable sanctuary was built.
* **Boards (קְרָשִׁים, _qerāšîm_):** These were the upright wooden frames, likely acacia wood overlaid with gold, that formed the walls of the Tabernacle. They were fitted into the silver sockets and held together by gold-overlaid bars. The "boards" represent the main structural elements that defined the sacred space, creating the enclosed sanctuary where God's presence would dwell.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses reared up the tabernacle":** This initial clause sets the scene, identifying Moses as the primary agent in the final assembly. "Rearing up" implies the act of raising the entire structure from its components, bringing it into its intended upright position. This signifies the culmination of the entire construction project, moving from individual parts to a unified whole.
* **"and fastened his sockets":** This describes the first crucial step in the assembly process. The "sockets" were the foundational bases, likely placed on the ground first, into which the upright elements would be secured. "Fastened" indicates a deliberate and stable placement, ensuring the stability of the entire structure from the very beginning.
* **"and set up the boards thereof":** Following the placement of the sockets, the "boards"—the gold-overlaid acacia wood frames that formed the walls of the Tabernacle—were erected and inserted into these sockets. This action established the perimeter and form of the sacred tent.
* **"and put in the bars thereof":** The "bars" were horizontal pieces, also overlaid with gold, that passed through rings on the boards to bind them together, providing structural integrity and preventing the walls from collapsing. This step ensured the cohesion and strength of the Tabernacle's framework.
* **"and reared up his pillars":** Finally, Moses erected the "pillars," which were used to support the veils and curtains inside the Tabernacle, as well as the outer court hangings. The repetition of "reared up" (from the beginning of the verse) emphasizes the completion of the vertical elements, bringing the entire structure to its full, standing form.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its significance. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "reared up" (קוּם, _qûm_), appearing at the beginning and end of the clause sequence, creating an inclusio that frames Moses's comprehensive act of assembly. This repetition emphasizes the completeness and finality of the erection process. **Merism** is also evident through the detailed listing of components: "sockets," "boards," "bars," and "pillars." By naming these key parts, the text implies the meticulous attention to every single element of the Tabernacle, representing the entirety of its complex structure. Furthermore, the precise, sequential description of actions ("fastened," "set up," "put in," "reared up") functions as a form of **Anaphora** or **Parallelism of Structure**, highlighting the systematic and orderly nature of the divine command and its human execution. This ordered presentation underscores the divine precision inherent in the Tabernacle's design and the human faithfulness required to bring it to fruition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:18 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine order and human obedience. The meticulous construction of the Tabernacle, culminating in Moses's precise assembly, reflects God's character as a God of precision and design. Every detail, from the materials to the method of assembly, was divinely ordained, underscoring that true worship and communion with God must be conducted according to His revealed will, not human invention. This act of faithful execution prepared the way for God's glory to descend and dwell among His people, signifying His covenant faithfulness and desire for intimate relationship. The Tabernacle, as a physical representation of God's presence, serves as a profound theological symbol of God's immanence and His provision for atonement and fellowship.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Build According to the Pattern")
* [Numbers 9:15](/numbers/9-15 "The Cloud Covers the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "The Heavenly Pattern")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of the Tabernacle's assembly in Exodus 40:18 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as Moses meticulously followed God's blueprint, we are called to build our lives, our faith, and our communities according to God's revealed Word. This verse reminds us that spiritual structures—whether personal character, family dynamics, or church ministries—require careful attention to divine instruction and diligent, faithful execution. The Tabernacle was not merely a building; it was the dwelling place of God's presence. Similarly, our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are meant to be consecrated spaces where God's presence is honored and manifested. This requires intentionality, discipline, and a commitment to order and purpose, ensuring that our "construction" aligns with the divine design for holiness and worship. The completion of the Tabernacle brought God's glory; similarly, our obedient lives make space for God's glory to be revealed through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to greater precision and obedience to God's revealed will, similar to Moses's meticulous assembly of the Tabernacle?**
* **How does the concept of God's dwelling among His people in the Tabernacle inform my understanding of His presence in the Church and in individual believers today?**
* **What "foundational elements" (like the sockets and boards) are essential for building a stable and God-honoring spiritual life, and how diligently am I "fastening" and "setting them up"?**

### FAQ

**Why was Moses personally involved in the Tabernacle's final assembly rather than leaving it entirely to the craftsmen?**

Answer: Moses's personal involvement in the final assembly of the Tabernacle, as described in [Exodus 40:18](/exodus/40-18 "Moses Erects the Tabernacle"), underscores his unique role as God's chosen mediator and leader for Israel. While skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab were divinely gifted for the construction of the components (as detailed in [Exodus 31:1-6](/exodus/31-1 "God Calls Bezalel and Oholiab")), Moses's act of assembly symbolized the culmination of the covenant relationship and the fulfillment of God's direct commands. It demonstrated his complete obedience and the transfer of divine authority through him to establish God's dwelling place. His hands-on participation emphasized the sacredness and importance of the task, ensuring every detail was executed "as the LORD commanded Moses" ([Exodus 40:16](/exodus/40-16 "Moses Does All as Commanded")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous erection of the Tabernacle by Moses, as described in [Exodus 40:18](/exodus/40-18 "Moses Erects the Tabernacle"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, a temporary dwelling place for God among His people, was a profound foreshadowing of God's ultimate tabernacling with humanity in the incarnation of Jesus. Just as the Tabernacle was built according to a divine blueprint, so too was Christ's earthly life and ministry perfectly aligned with the Father's will, serving as the true and eternal dwelling of God. John proclaims that "the Word became flesh and [tabernacled] among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), signifying that Jesus Himself is the ultimate sanctuary, the very presence of God made manifest. Furthermore, as the Tabernacle was the place where sacrifices were offered for atonement, Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross serves as the perfect and final atonement for sin, fulfilling all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant system ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through Christ, believers become living stones in a spiritual temple, the Church, where God's Spirit now dwells ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), thereby extending the reality of God's presence beyond a physical structure to His redeemed people.

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.