Exodus 40:22

And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.

And he put {H5414} the table {H7979} in the tent {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, upon the side {H3409} of the tabernacle {H4908} northward {H6828}, without {H2351} the vail {H6532}.

He put the table in the tent of meeting on the side of the tabernacle facing north, outside the curtain.

Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.

And he put the table in the tent of meeting, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 40:22

Exodus 40:22 describes a precise action taken by Moses as he meticulously erected the Tabernacle, following God's detailed instructions. This verse focuses on the placement of the Table of Showbread within the sacred structure, highlighting the careful order and divine blueprint for Israel's worship.

Context

This verse is part of the concluding chapter of Exodus, which details the final assembly and dedication of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary designed by God. After receiving God's detailed blueprint for the Tabernacle on Mount Sinai, Moses and the Israelites diligently worked to construct it. Chapter 40 systematically narrates Moses' completion of each element, culminating in the glory of the Lord filling the Tabernacle. Here, Moses places the Table of Showbread, a crucial furnishing, in its designated spot within the Holy Place.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Precision: The verse underscores God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle's layout. Every piece of furniture, including the Table of Showbread, had a specific location, demonstrating the divine order essential for proper worship and the maintenance of God's holy presence. This precision reflects God's character and His desire for reverence and adherence to His commands, which Moses faithfully executed, as noted in Exodus 40:16.
  • God's Provision: The "table" refers to the Table of Showbread (also known as the Table of Presence-bread). This table was commanded to always have twelve loaves of showbread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's constant provision and sustenance for His people. Its presence in the Tabernacle served as a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness in feeding and caring for His covenant people.
  • Accessibility within the Holy Place: The phrase "without the vail" is significant. It means the Table of Showbread was located in the Holy Place (or Holy Sanctuary), the first chamber of the Tabernacle, which was accessible to the priests. It was not in the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), which was separated by the separation created by the veil and contained only the Ark of the Covenant, accessible solely to the High Priest once a year. This positioning highlights the different levels of access to God's presence.

Linguistic Insights

The term "tent of the congregation" is a translation of the Hebrew Ohel Mo'ed (ΧΧ•Χ”Χœ ΧžΧ•Χ’Χ“), which literally means "tent of meeting." This emphasizes its primary function as the place where God would meet with His people, specifically through the priests and the High Priest, to communicate His will and receive their worship. The "tabernacle" itself is Mishkan (ΧžΧ©Χ›ΧŸ), meaning "dwelling place," underscoring that it was God's earthly abode among Israel.

Practical Application

Exodus 40:22, though describing an ancient ritual, speaks to timeless truths. It reminds us of God's nature as a God of order, who desires that all things be done decently and in order (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:40). Furthermore, the Table of Showbread, representing God's provision, points forward to Jesus, the true Bread of Life, who offers spiritual sustenance that never perishes. Just as God provided for Israel in the wilderness, He continually provides for His people today, both physically and spiritually, through Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 26:35

    And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

  • John 6:53

    Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

  • John 6:57

    As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Exodus 40:24

    And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
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