Exodus 40:3

KJV

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt put {H7760} therein {H8033} the ark {H727} of the testimony {H5715}, and cover {H5526} the ark {H727} with the vail {H6532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Put in it the ark for the testimony, and conceal the ark with the curtain.

Berean Standard Bible

Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 40:3 details a crucial step in the final assembly of the Tabernacle, commanding the placement of the Ark of the Testimony within the Most Holy Place and its subsequent concealment by the veil. This instruction underscores the profound holiness of God and the sacred, yet restricted, nature of His presence among His people, establishing the central locus of divine encounter and covenant fidelity within the wilderness sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 40 serves as the climactic conclusion to the entire book, 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](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). After the extensive descriptions of its construction (Exodus 35-39), this chapter marks the moment of transition from divine command to physical reality. 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, is 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 narrated in [Exodus 40:34-35](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-35 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle").
* **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](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ark (Hebrew, _ʾārôn'_):** This term refers to a chest or box, but in this context, it specifically denotes the "Ark of the Testimony" (or Ark of the Covenant), the most sacred artifact in Israel. It was a gold-covered wooden chest containing the two stone tablets of the Law (the "testimony"), a pot of manna, and Aaron's staff that budded. Its significance goes far beyond a mere container; it was the symbolic throne of God, representing His covenant presence, authority, and faithfulness among His people.
* **Testimony (Hebrew, _ʿēdût'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to bear witness," `ʿēdût` refers to the covenant stipulations, specifically the Ten Commandments inscribed on the stone tablets. The Ark is called the "Ark of the Testimony" because it housed these tablets, which bore witness to God's covenant with Israel and served as a perpetual reminder of His revealed will and the people's obligations. This term underscores the Ark's role not just as a symbol of presence, but as a repository of divine law and the foundation of the covenant relationship.
* **Vail (Hebrew, _pārōkhet'_):** This was a thick, ornate curtain made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet material, embroidered with cherubim. Its primary function was to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where the Ark resided. The `pārōkhet` was not merely a decorative partition but a theological barrier, signifying the sacred inaccessibility of God's immediate presence to common access, emphasizing His absolute holiness and the sinfulness of humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony,"**: This is a direct, imperative command from God to Moses, indicating the precise placement of the Ark. "Therein" refers to the innermost sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space within the Tabernacle. The Ark, as the embodiment of God's covenant presence and the repository of His law, was to be at the very heart of Israel's worship and national identity, signifying that God's presence was central to their existence.
* **"and cover the ark with the vail."**: This second imperative command dictates the concealment of the Ark. The act of covering with the `pārōkhet` was critical. It established a physical and symbolic barrier, ensuring that the Ark, and thus the immediate presence of God, was hidden from the sight of all but the High Priest, and even he could only enter this sacred space once a year on the Day of Atonement. This action powerfully communicated God's transcendent holiness, His separation from human sin, and the necessity of a divinely appointed mediator and means of access.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 40:3 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the Ark of the Testimony symbolizing God's covenant presence, His throne, and His revealed will, while the veil (**pārōkhet**) symbolizes His absolute holiness, the separation between God and sinful humanity, and the restricted access to His immediate presence. The use of **Divine Instruction/Command** through imperative verbs ("shalt put," "cover") highlights the meticulous nature of God's blueprint and His sovereign authority over the establishment of His dwelling place. The verse also functions as a form of **Anticipation**, setting the stage for the later theological significance of the veil's tearing in the New Testament, which would 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](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")). 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.

* [Leviticus 16:2](/leviticus/16-2 "God's Warning About the Most Holy Place")
* [Isaiah 6:1-5](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah's Vision of God's Holiness and Human Unworthiness")
* [Hebrews 9:6-8](/hebrews/9-6 "The Holy Spirit's Testimony About Access to 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the command to veil the Ark challenge our modern assumptions about easy access to God?**
* **What does the "testimony" (God's law) contained within the Ark teach us about the nature of God's presence and our responsibility?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a greater sense of reverence and awe for God in our personal worship and daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the veil in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the veil (`pārōkhet`) 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](/leviticus/16-2 "Leviticus 16:2-4 - Regulations for Entering the Most Holy Place")). 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.

**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" (`ʿēdût`). These commandments were God's direct revelation of His will and the stipulations of His covenant with Israel ([Exodus 31:18](/exodus/31-18 "Exodus 31:18 - The Two Tablets of the Testimony")). 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 symbol of God's revealed truth and the foundation of His covenant presence among them.

### 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](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")). 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](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") and [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle itself, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), and through Him, believers are now invited to draw near to God with confidence, having been made holy by His perfect sacrifice ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). 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.

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.

Cross-References

Numbers 4:5

And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:

Exodus 35:12

The ark, and the staves thereof, [with] the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

Revelation 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Leviticus 16:14

And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

Exodus 40:20

And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

Exodus 40:21

And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.