Exodus 40:33

KJV

And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he reared up {H6965} the court {H2691} round about {H5439} the tabernacle {H4908} and the altar {H4196}, and set up {H5414} the hanging {H4539} of the court {H2691} gate {H8179}. So Moses {H4872} finished {H3615} the work {H4399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally, he erected the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar and set up the screen for the entrance to the courtyard.

Berean Standard Bible

And Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and he hung the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.

American Standard Version

And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 40:33 powerfully culminates the detailed narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, depicting Moses's faithful and meticulous completion of the wilderness sanctuary. This verse signifies the successful execution of God's precise architectural plans, highlighting human obedience as the physical space is prepared for the intimate dwelling of God's glorious presence among His covenant people, Israel, thereby establishing the central hub for their worship and communion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the grand, climactic finale to the extensive narrative detailing the Tabernacle's construction, which dominates the latter half of the book of Exodus. [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") through [Exodus 31](/exodus/31 "Exodus 31 - Craftsmanship and Sabbath") meticulously outline God's precise and intricate instructions for the Tabernacle's design, its sacred furnishings, and the priestly vestments. Following this divine blueprint, [Exodus 35](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35 - Offerings and Skilled Workers") through [Exodus 39](/exodus/39 "Exodus 39 - Priestly Garments and Completion") recount the actual execution of these plans, emphasizing Israel's willing contributions and the divinely inspired craftsmanship of Bezalel and Oholiab. [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - Erection of the Tabernacle") then describes the final assembly of each component on the first day of the first month of the second year after the Exodus. Verse 33 specifically highlights the completion of the outer court, the final structural element to be erected, before the narrative immediately shifts to the glorious indwelling of God's presence in [Exodus 40:34-38](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34-38 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle"). The concluding phrase, "So Moses finished the work," brings a definitive closure to this monumental undertaking, setting the stage for the book of Leviticus, which will detail the sacrificial system and worship practices within this newly established sanctuary.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred in the wilderness, a nomadic setting following Israel's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai, as detailed in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Covenant at Sinai"). While temples were common in the ancient Near East, Israel's Tabernacle was unique in several crucial ways: it was portable, reflecting their transient journey through the wilderness, and its design was divinely revealed, not humanly conceived or adapted from existing models. This portable sanctuary underscored God's desire to dwell *among* His people, not confined to a fixed location, and to accompany them on their journey. The meticulous adherence to divine blueprints, culminating in "Moses finished the work," was absolutely crucial; any deviation would render the structure unfit for the Holy God. The "court" mentioned in the verse was the outer enclosure, defining the sacred space and controlling access, a common feature in ancient sanctuaries that separated the holy from the common and regulated who could approach the divine presence. The completion of this structure was not merely an architectural feat but a profound theological necessity, preparing the way for the visible manifestation of God's glory (the Shekinah) to descend and dwell among His people, fulfilling His promise to be "God with us."

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 40:33 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Presence and Dwelling**. The entire purpose of the Tabernacle was to provide a tangible place for God to dwell among His people, fulfilling the promise made in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "God's Command to Build the Sanctuary"). The verse highlights the theme of **Obedience and Fidelity**, as Moses meticulously completes the work precisely as God commanded, demonstrating the importance of adhering to divine instructions in matters of worship and service. This obedience is a recurring motif, particularly evident in [Exodus 39](/exodus/39 "Exodus 39 - Completion of the Tabernacle") and [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - Erection of the Tabernacle"). Furthermore, the completion of the Tabernacle underscores the theme of **Sacred Space and Order**. The court and its gate define boundaries, separating the holy from the common and establishing an orderly approach to God, a concept foundational to Israelite worship and the subsequent laws detailed in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Offerings"). Finally, it speaks to **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as He fulfills His promise to be present with His people, a promise that began with the call of Abraham and continued through the Exodus.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reared up (Hebrew, קוּם, _qûwm'_):** This verb, derived from a primitive root, signifies to "stand up," "arise," or "establish." In the context of construction, it denotes the act of setting something firmly and securely in place, making it stand erect and stable. It implies not just a casual placement but a deliberate and secure erection of the court, emphasizing its structural integrity and permanence as a defined sacred space. The use of this word highlights the purposeful and strong establishment of the Tabernacle's outer boundaries.
* **Finished (Hebrew, כָּלָה, _kâlâh'_):** As a primitive root, this word means "to complete," "to bring to an end," or "to perfect." Its use here highlights the absolute totality and exactness of Moses's execution of God's instructions. It implies that the work was brought to its intended conclusion without any omission, defect, or deviation from the divine pattern, making it perfectly ready for its sacred purpose. This word underscores the comprehensive and flawless nature of the Tabernacle's completion.
* **Work (Hebrew, מְלָאכָה, _mᵉlâʼkâh'_):** This noun refers to an "occupation," "business," "craftsmanship," or a comprehensive "project." Here, it encompasses the entire monumental undertaking of constructing the Tabernacle, from the preparation of materials to the final assembly of every component. The phrase "finished the work" therefore signifies the successful completion of the entire divine project, not just a single task, emphasizing the immense scope and divine origin of the endeavor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar":** This clause describes the final stage of the Tabernacle's exterior construction. The "court" (Hebrew, _châtsêr_, H2691) was the large outer enclosure, defined by pillars and linen hangings, which surrounded the Tabernacle proper and the bronze altar of burnt offering (Hebrew, _mizbêach_, H4196). "Rearing up" emphasizes the establishment of this boundary, which served to delineate the sacred space from the common wilderness, protecting the sanctity of God's dwelling and controlling access for worshipers. This act completed the physical separation of holy ground.
* **"and set up the hanging of the court gate":** This specifies the final element of the court's enclosure: its entrance. The "hanging" (Hebrew, _mâçâk_, H4539) of the "court gate" (Hebrew, _shaʻar_, H8179) was a colorful curtain that served as the sole point of entry into the sacred courtyard. Its installation completed the enclosure, signifying that access to God's presence was not open to all indiscriminately but was regulated and prescribed, emphasizing the need for proper approach, reverence, and adherence to divine protocol.
* **"So Moses finished the work":** This concluding statement is a powerful declaration of completion and fidelity. It summarizes the entire narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, affirming that Moses, acting as God's faithful servant (Hebrew, _Môsheh_, H4872), had meticulously executed every single detail of the divine blueprint. This phrase underscores Moses's unwavering obedience and the perfection of the completed sanctuary, making it fit for the indwelling of the Holy God (Hebrew, _mishkân_, H4908). It is a testament to the successful culmination of a divinely ordered project.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 40:33 employs several literary devices to underscore its profound significance. The verse functions as a **Climax**, bringing to a definitive close the lengthy narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, which has unfolded over many chapters of detailed instructions and laborious execution. It provides a powerful sense of resolution and accomplishment after the preceding narrative tension. The pervasive theme of "as the LORD commanded Moses" (though not explicitly in this verse, it is the dominant refrain throughout [Exodus 39](/exodus/39 "Exodus 39 - Completion of the Tabernacle") and [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - Erection of the Tabernacle")) forms a powerful **Leitwort** or guiding motif, emphasizing Moses's absolute and unwavering obedience to every divine instruction. This repeated affirmation builds anticipation for the ultimate moment of completion. Furthermore, the Tabernacle itself, including its court and gate, functions as rich **Symbolism**. It symbolizes God's desire for intimate dwelling with His people, the ordered nature of His holiness, the necessity of a prescribed means of approach, and the crucial separation between the sacred and the profane. The "finished work" itself symbolizes perfection, readiness for divine indwelling, and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:33 powerfully encapsulates themes of divine initiative, human obedience, and God's desire for intimate dwelling among His people. The meticulous completion of the Tabernacle, precisely "as the LORD commanded," highlights the paramount importance of obedience to God's revealed will in matters of worship and service. This "finished work" was not merely an architectural achievement but the establishment of the physical nexus between a holy God and His redeemed people, a place where atonement could be made and communion fostered. It underscores the profound theological truth that God desires to be present among His people, providing a tangible manifestation of His covenant faithfulness and a structured means for them to approach Him. The perfection of the Tabernacle's construction was a prerequisite for the descent of God's glory, demonstrating that preparation, faithfulness, and adherence to divine design are essential for experiencing and maintaining divine presence.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "God's Command to Build the Sanctuary")
* [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle")
* [Leviticus 1:1](/leviticus/1-1 "God Speaks from the Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:33 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. Moses's unwavering diligence and precise obedience in following every detail of God's elaborate blueprints serve as a powerful model for our own walk of faith. It reminds us that our service and worship are not to be haphazard or self-devised, but rather to be undertaken with intentionality, faithfulness, and a deep reverence for God's revealed will. Just as the physical Tabernacle was completed to prepare a dwelling place for God's presence, our lives are called to be prepared through obedience and spiritual readiness, making us fit vessels for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This passage also reiterates God's enduring desire to dwell among His people, a desire that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and continues through the church. We are called to be diligent in the "work" God has given us, whether it be in our personal sanctification, our family lives, our professional callings, or our ministries, knowing that our faithfulness contributes to the manifestation of God's presence and glory in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses's meticulous obedience in building the Tabernacle challenge our own approach to God's commands and callings today, especially in areas we might deem small or insignificant?**
* **In what ways do we, as individual believers and as the collective Church, serve as "temples" for God's Spirit, and how does this reality impact our daily lives, interactions, and priorities?**
* **What specific "work" has God entrusted to you, and how can you demonstrate the same diligence, faithfulness, and commitment to completion that Moses showed in finishing the Tabernacle?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "Moses finished the work"?**

Answer: The phrase "Moses finished the work" signifies more than just the physical completion of a construction project. It profoundly emphasizes Moses's absolute and meticulous obedience to every single detail of God's divine blueprint for the Tabernacle. It implies that the work was brought to a perfect, flawless conclusion, exactly as God commanded, making it fit for the Holy God to dwell within. This completion was the necessary prerequisite for the manifestation of God's glory, as seen immediately in [Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle"), underscoring the vital connection between human faithfulness and divine presence.

**Why was the court important, and what did "reared up" imply?**

Answer: The court was the large outer enclosure of the Tabernacle complex, formed by pillars and linen hangings, which defined the sacred space and separated it from the common wilderness. Its importance lay in delineating the holy from the profane and controlling access to the Tabernacle and the altar. "Rearing up" implies the firm and deliberate establishment of this boundary, making it stand erect and stable. This act underscored the sanctity of God's dwelling and the prescribed, orderly way in which His people were to approach Him for worship and sacrifice, ensuring reverence and proper protocol.

**How does the completion of the Tabernacle relate to God's presence among His people?**

Answer: The entire purpose of the Tabernacle was to serve as God's dwelling place among His people, fulfilling His command in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build the Sanctuary"). The completion of the physical structure was the necessary prerequisite for the visible manifestation of God's glory, the Shekinah, to descend and fill it. This awe-inspiring event, described in the very next verse ([Exodus 40:34](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle")), demonstrated God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for intimate communion with Israel, providing a tangible sign of His presence and guidance throughout their wilderness journey.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:33, marking the completion of the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, as God's temporary dwelling place among humanity, was a profound type pointing to the incarnate Son of God. Just as the Tabernacle was meticulously constructed according to divine blueprints to house God's presence, so too did God's eternal Word "tabernacle" or "dwell" among us in the person of Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, as beautifully declared in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us"). Christ is the true and perfect sanctuary, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, requiring no physical construction or human "finishing" because He is inherently perfect and divine. Furthermore, Moses's "finished work" on the Tabernacle foreshadows Christ's triumphant declaration from the cross, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus Declares 'It is Finished'")), signifying the complete and perfect accomplishment of His redemptive work, the ultimate sacrifice that fully atoned for sin and opened the way for direct access to God. Through Christ's finished work, the need for a physical Tabernacle or temple is superseded, as believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")), and the Church is built up as a spiritual house where God dwells by His Spirit ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as a Holy Temple")). Thus, the temporary dwelling of God in the wilderness finds its eternal reality in Christ and His body, the Church, fulfilling God's enduring desire to dwell intimately with His 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.

Cross-References

Exodus 40:8

And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

Exodus 27:9

¶ And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward [there shall be] hangings for the court [of] fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:

Exodus 27:16

And for the gate of the court [shall be] an hanging of twenty cubits, [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: [and] their pillars [shall be] four, and their sockets four.

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: