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Commentary on Exodus 40 verses 1–15
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Psa 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo 40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, Ch2 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Exo 40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Exo 40:4, Exo 40:5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exo 40:6, Exo 40:7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses. 2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, Exo 30:25, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, Exo 40:9-11. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place. 3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, Exo 40:12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, ch. 29. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 40:3 outlines a pivotal command in the Tabernacle's final assembly, directing Moses to place the Ark of the Testimony within the Most Holy Place and then to conceal it with the veil. This instruction is foundational, establishing the innermost sanctuary as the central locus of God's covenant presence while simultaneously underscoring His profound holiness and the restricted access to His immediate glory, thereby setting the stage for the Tabernacle's consecration and the subsequent descent of the divine presence.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Exodus 40 serves as the climactic culmination of the entire book of Exodus, meticulously detailing the final erection and consecration of the Tabernacle—the portable sanctuary designed according to God's precise blueprint given in earlier chapters, beginning with Exodus 25. After the extensive descriptions of its construction (Exodus 35-39), this chapter marks the transition from divine command to physical reality, as Moses, acting as God's appointed overseer, is given the exact sequence for assembling each part, from the framework and coverings to the placement of every sacred furnishing. Verse 3, specifically addressing the Ark and veil, lies at the very heart of this process, signifying the establishment of the most sacred space—the Holy of Holies—where God's glory would ultimately descend and dwell, as powerfully narrated in Exodus 40:34-35. This verse is not merely an architectural detail but a theological anchor, ensuring the proper reverence and order for God's dwelling among His people.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Tabernacle was designed to be a portable temple, reflecting the nomadic existence of the Israelites in the wilderness following their exodus from Egypt. In the ancient Near East, temples were considered the dwelling places of deities, often structured to reflect a cosmic order and featuring an innermost sanctum where the god's presence was concentrated. The Tabernacle, however, uniquely emphasized the transcendent holiness of YHWH, who, while choosing to dwell among His people, remained utterly distinct from them. The meticulous instructions for its construction and the specific placement of the Ark and veil were not merely architectural details but deeply theological statements. They communicated God's perfect order, His demand for purity, and the absolute reverence required in His presence. The veil, or parokhet, served as a physical barrier, visually and experientially reinforcing the separation between the holy God and sinful humanity, a separation that could only be bridged through divinely ordained means, such as the High Priest's annual entry on the Day of Atonement, as later detailed in Leviticus 16. This context highlights the radical nature of a holy God choosing to dwell among an unholy people, yet maintaining His divine boundaries.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Divine Presence and Immanence, as God fulfills His promise to "dwell among them" (Exodus 29:45) through the Tabernacle. Simultaneously, it powerfully reinforces the theme of God's Transcendent Holiness and Inaccessibility, demonstrated by the strict separation of the Holy of Holies by the veil, emphasizing that God's presence, while near, is also utterly distinct and demands reverence. The presence of the Ark of the Testimony within this veiled space highlights the theme of Covenant Fidelity and Divine Law, as the Ark houses the tablets of the Law, serving as a perpetual witness to God's covenant with Israel. Finally, the meticulous instructions and their execution underscore the theme of Obedience and Divine Order, showcasing Moses' faithfulness in following God's precise blueprint for worship and encounter.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 40:3 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning. Symbolism is paramount, with the Ark of the Testimony symbolizing God's covenant presence, His throne, and His revealed will, while the veil (pôreketh) symbolizes His absolute holiness, the separation between God and sinful humanity, and the restricted access to His immediate presence. The meticulous use of Divine Instruction/Command through imperative verbs ("shalt put," "cover") highlights the precise and non-negotiable nature of God's blueprint for His dwelling place and His sovereign authority over its establishment. The verse also functions as a form of Anticipation, subtly setting the stage for the later theological significance of the veil's tearing in the New Testament, which would dramatically signify a new era of direct access to God. Furthermore, the precise, almost ritualistic language contributes to the overall Sacred Poetics of the Tabernacle narrative, emphasizing the divine order and the reverence required for holy things.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:3 encapsulates a profound theological tension: God's desire for immanent dwelling among His people alongside His transcendent holiness. The placement of the Ark signifies God's commitment to be present with Israel, fulfilling His covenant promise to "dwell among them" (Exodus 29:45). Yet, the immediate command to cover the Ark with the veil simultaneously emphasizes His absolute purity and the inherent sinfulness of humanity, necessitating a barrier. This tension reveals that while God desires relationship, it must be on His terms, acknowledging His unapproachable glory. The Tabernacle, with its veiled Holy of Holies, thus served as a constant visual sermon on God's nature, foreshadowing the ultimate solution to the problem of human access to a holy God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 40:3, though describing an ancient physical structure, offers timeless truths about God's character and our relationship with Him. The meticulous care in placing the Ark and veiling it speaks volumes about God's holiness and His demand for reverence. It reminds us that God is not to be approached casually or on our own terms, but with profound respect for His majesty. While the physical veil no longer stands, the spiritual principles it represented—God's purity, humanity's sin, and the need for mediated access—remain. This verse challenges us to consider how we approach God today. Do we grasp the awe-inspiring nature of His presence, or have we become too familiar? It invites us to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence, recognizing that our access to Him, though now direct through Christ, is a precious privilege purchased at an infinite cost, not a right. It calls us to reflect on the immense grace that has bridged the chasm once symbolized by the veil, enabling us to draw near with confidence to a holy God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the veil in the Tabernacle?
Answer: The primary purpose of the veil (pôreketh) was to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Testimony resided. This physical barrier served a profound theological purpose: to signify God's absolute holiness and the inaccessibility of His immediate presence to sinful humanity. Only the High Priest, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, was permitted to pass beyond the veil into the Most Holy Place to offer atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-4). It underscored the vast chasm between a holy God and an unholy people, demonstrating that access to God's presence was strictly controlled and divinely ordained, highlighting the need for a mediator and proper purification.
Why is the Ark called the "Ark of the Testimony"?
Answer: The Ark is called the "Ark of the Testimony" because it contained the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which are referred to as the "testimony" (ʿêdûwth). These commandments were God's direct revelation of His will and the stipulations of His covenant with Israel (Exodus 31:18). The tablets bore witness to the covenant relationship between God and His people, serving as a perpetual reminder of their obligations and God's faithfulness. Thus, the Ark was not just a container, but a profoundly symbolic object representing God's revealed truth, His covenant presence, and the very foundation of His relationship with His chosen people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:3, with its depiction of the veiled Ark, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The veil, a stark symbol of separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, was dramatically torn from top to bottom at the moment of Christ's death on the cross (Matthew 27:51). This miraculous event signified that the barrier to God's immediate presence, which the Tabernacle veil had represented for centuries, was now removed through Christ's sacrificial atonement. Jesus, as the true and ultimate High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary "once for all" not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood, securing eternal redemption and inaugurating a "new and living way" into the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:11-12 and Hebrews 10:19-20). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle itself, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, for "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Through Him, believers are now invited to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), having been made holy by His perfect sacrifice. The veiled Ark pointed to a God who was both present and unapproachable; Christ's work reveals a God who is both perfectly holy and perfectly accessible through His Son, offering full and free access to His glorious presence.