Exodus 40:6

KJV

And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt set {H5414} the altar {H4196} of the burnt offering {H5930} before {H6440} the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H4908} of the tent {H168} of the congregation {H4150}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Place the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible

Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 40:6 delivers a precise divine command regarding the placement of the altar of burnt offering, specifying its position "before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation." This instruction, seemingly simple, is profoundly significant, establishing the foundational role of sacrifice and atonement as the indispensable means of approach to God within the Israelite worship system, and setting the stage for the Tabernacle's full consecration and the manifestation of God's glorious presence among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the climactic final chapter of Exodus, which meticulously details the assembly and consecration of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. Following the comprehensive architectural blueprints provided by God in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Blueprints") and the detailed account of their construction by skilled artisans in [Exodus 35-39](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35-39 - Tabernacle Construction"), chapter 40 marks the culmination of this grand project. Verses 1-5 outline the specific sequence for erecting the Tabernacle and positioning its internal furnishings, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and the Altar of Incense. Verse 6 then transitions to the outer courtyard, specifically commanding the placement of the bronze altar, followed by the laver in verse 7. The chapter culminates with the anointing of the Tabernacle and its priests (verses 9-15), and, most significantly, the awe-inspiring descent of God's glory, which fills the completed sanctuary (verses 34-38), signifying His acceptance, approval, and intimate presence among His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The divine instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and arrangement were given to Moses during Israel's forty-year sojourn in the wilderness, shortly after their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage and the covenant ratification at Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle, designed as a portable sanctuary, served as God's chosen dwelling place amidst His nomadic people, functioning as the central hub of their religious, social, and spiritual life. The "tent of the congregation" (also known as the "tent of meeting," Hebrew: _ohel mo'ed_) was the designated locus where God would communicate directly with Moses and, by extension, with the entire nation of Israel. The precise placement of the altar of burnt offering "before the door" of this tent was not arbitrary; it profoundly reflected the ancient Near Eastern understanding of sacred space and the prerequisites for divine access. In many cultures, the altar was the primary point of interaction with the divine, and its immediate proximity to the entrance underscored that atonement was the non-negotiable prerequisite for any further approach into the holy presence of God. This arrangement visually and experientially taught the Israelites that a holy God could only be approached through the divinely prescribed means of sacrifice, a concept deeply embedded in their covenant relationship with Yahweh, as established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai") and meticulously elaborated throughout [the sacrificial laws in the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings").
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 40:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Presence and Dwelling**, emphasizing God's desire to dwell among His people, yet on His own terms of holiness and accessibility. The Tabernacle, with the altar as its entry point, concretizes this desire. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**. The altar of burnt offering is central to the sacrificial system, which is God's gracious provision for dealing with human sin and restoring fellowship. Its placement emphasizes that reconciliation is foundational to relationship with God. Thirdly, it speaks to **Divine Order and Obedience**. The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and arrangement, including the precise placement of each item, underscore God's sovereignty, His demand for exact obedience, and the sacredness of His dwelling place. This theme is pervasive, from the detailed commands given in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") to their faithful execution in [Exodus 39](/exodus/39 "Exodus 39 - Completion of the Tabernacle"). Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **Access to God**, pointing forward to the ultimate means of access provided through the New Covenant, where the sacrificial system finds its fulfillment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **set (Hebrew, _nâthan_):** (H5414) This primitive root is remarkably versatile, meaning "to give," but used with a vast latitude of application, including "to put," "to place," "to appoint," or "to assign." In Exodus 40:6, its imperative form conveys a direct, authoritative divine command from God to Moses. It signifies not merely a suggestion but a precise, non-negotiable instruction for the placement of the altar, underscoring the divine authority and meticulous order required in the Tabernacle's arrangement. The act of "setting" the altar is an act of divine ordination, establishing its purpose and function within the sacred space.
* **altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach_):** (H4196) Derived from the verb "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice" (זָבַח, _zâbach_), _mizbêach_ literally means "a place of slaughter" or "a place of sacrifice." This term immediately defines the primary function of this structure: it is the designated location where blood sacrifices are offered to God. In the context of the Tabernacle, this was the large bronze altar located in the outer courtyard, where burnt offerings and other sacrifices were consumed by fire. Its very name encapsulates its purpose as the central point for atonement and reconciliation between a sinful people and a holy God.
* **congregation (Hebrew, _môwʻêd_):** (H4150) Often translated as "meeting" or "appointment," _môwʻêd_ refers to a fixed time or season, an appointed assembly, or, by extension, the place of meeting. When combined with "tent" (_ʼôhel_), "tent of the congregation" (_ohel mo'ed_) designates the Tabernacle's specific function as the divinely appointed place where God would meet with Moses and communicate His will to Israel. It highlights the Tabernacle not merely as a dwelling but as a divinely scheduled rendezvous point, emphasizing the covenantal relationship and the purpose of divine-human encounter. The altar's placement "before the door" of this specific "tent of meeting" underscores that access to this divine encounter is predicated upon the sacrificial system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering":** This opening clause is a direct, imperative command from God to Moses, indicating the specific sacred furniture item to be positioned. The verb "shalt set" (וְשַׂמְתָּ, _v'samta_), derived from _nâthan_, conveys the divine authority and precision required for the Tabernacle's construction and arrangement. The "altar of the burnt offering" is singled out as a critical component, immediately highlighting its functional importance as the primary instrument of atonement within the sacrificial system.
* **"before the door of the tabernacle":** This phrase specifies the precise location for the altar. "Before the door" (לִפְנֵי פֶּתַח, _lifnei petach_) means directly in front of the entrance. The "tabernacle" here refers to the main tent structure itself, which housed the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, rather than the entire courtyard complex. This placement ensures that the altar is the very first sacred object encountered upon entering the Tabernacle complex, serving as a visual and theological gatekeeper, signifying that access beyond this point requires a prior act of atonement.
* **"of the tent of the congregation":** This final phrase further clarifies and specifies the "tabernacle" as the "tent of meeting" or "tent of appointment." By using both terms, the text emphasizes that this is not just any tent, but the divinely designated place where God would meet with His people for covenantal interaction and revelation. The altar's position immediately preceding the entrance to this sacred meeting place powerfully underscores that communion with God is not arbitrary or automatic, but is fundamentally predicated upon the sacrificial system and the principle of atonement.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary devices at play in Exodus 40:6 are **Divine Instruction** and **Symbolism**. The entire chapter, and indeed much of the book of Exodus, is structured as a series of **Divine Instructions**, where God provides meticulous, step-by-step commands for the construction, assembly, and arrangement of the Tabernacle and its components. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty, His demand for precise obedience from His people, and the inherent sacredness of His dwelling place. The specificity of the command "thou shalt set" and the exact spatial relationship ("before the door") powerfully emphasize this divine authority and the critical importance of adhering to the divine blueprint without deviation. **Symbolism** is profoundly present and central to the meaning of the verse, particularly in the placement of the altar. The altar itself is a potent symbol of atonement, sacrifice, and the divinely appointed means by which sinful humanity can approach a holy God. Its strategic placement "before the door" of the tent of meeting is highly symbolic, visually representing that access to God's presence (the "meeting" or "congregation") is only possible through the shedding of blood and the offering of a substitute. It serves as a constant, tangible reminder that sin creates an impassable barrier, and only divinely appointed sacrifice can bridge that chasm, making reconciliation and communion possible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:6, by detailing the precise placement of the altar of burnt offering, underscores several foundational theological truths that permeate biblical revelation. It emphasizes the absolute holiness of God, which necessitates a divinely appointed and blood-stained means of approach for sinful humanity. The altar's position as the initial point of contact signifies that atonement is not merely one aspect of worship but the indispensable prerequisite for any genuine communion with God. This divine ordering reveals God's meticulous care for proper worship and His gracious provision for humanity's sin, establishing a pattern of sacrifice that permeated Old Testament life and pointed forward to a greater reality. The centrality of the altar powerfully foreshadows the New Testament principle that "without shedding of blood is no remission" of sins, a truth that finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

* [Leviticus 16:16](/leviticus/16-16 "Atonement for the Holy Place") – This verse describes the Day of Atonement rituals, where the blood of the sacrifice was used to cleanse the Tabernacle itself, reinforcing the universal necessity of blood for the purification of sacred space and the removal of sin.
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness") – This New Testament passage explicitly states that "almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission," directly connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the enduring principle of atonement through blood.
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Christ as Propitiation") – This verse explains that God presented Christ as a "propitiation through faith in his blood," demonstrating how the Old Testament concept of atonement through sacrifice is perfectly and finally fulfilled in the Person and work of Jesus, who satisfies divine wrath against sin.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise placement of the altar of burnt offering in Exodus 40:6 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful visual aid, reminding us that access to God's holy presence is never casual, automatic, or based on human merit, but always through a divinely ordained and costly means. Just as the Israelite had to first encounter the altar and its sacrifice before entering further into the Tabernacle, so too must we, as New Covenant believers, recognize that our approach to God is solely through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse calls us to profound humility, acknowledging our inherent sinfulness and desperate need for atonement, and to overflowing gratitude for the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ that has graciously opened the way to God. It challenges us to reflect deeply on the centrality of Christ's sacrifice in our own spiritual lives and to ensure that our worship, prayers, and every approach to God are always grounded in His atoning work, not in our own efforts, rituals, or perceived righteousness. It compels us to live in light of the immense privilege of direct access to God, purchased at such a great cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the placement of the altar "before the door" of the Tabernacle deepen your understanding of the necessity and exclusivity of Christ's sacrifice for true access to God?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, subtly or overtly attempt to approach God on our own terms, bypassing or minimizing the foundational role of Christ's atonement?**
* **How does the divine precision in these ancient instructions challenge or encourage your own approach to obedience, worship, and reverence for God's holiness?**

### FAQ
**Why was the altar of burnt offering placed specifically "before the door" of the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The placement of the altar "before the door" of the Tabernacle's tent of meeting was both highly symbolic and deeply functional. Functionally, it was the very first piece of sacred furniture encountered upon entering the Tabernacle courtyard, making it the initial point of interaction for anyone seeking to approach God. Symbolically and theologically, this arrangement powerfully underscored the truth that atonement for sin, achieved through the prescribed sacrifices on the altar, was the indispensable prerequisite for any access to God's holy presence within the Tabernacle. It visually taught the Israelites that a holy God could only be approached through the divinely appointed means of blood sacrifice, emphasizing the gravity of sin and the divine provision for reconciliation. This order is foundational to the entire sacrificial system detailed throughout [the laws in Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings"), illustrating that a holy God cannot be approached lightly or without the covering of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:6, with its meticulous instruction for the placement of the altar of burnt offering, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The bronze altar, where animals were offered for atonement, was a powerful type and shadow, pointing forward to the cross of Christ. Just as the altar stood "before the door" as the necessary gateway to God's presence in the Old Covenant, so too is Christ's sacrifice the sole, sufficient, and eternal means of access to God in the New Covenant. He is our true altar, the place where the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice was made, not of animals, but of His own precious blood (as illuminated in [Hebrews 13:10](/hebrews/13-10 "Hebrews 13:10 - We have an Altar") and [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Own Blood")). The animal sacrifices on the Old Testament altar could only temporarily cover sins, but Christ's sacrifice on the cross definitively and eternally takes away the sin of the world, making Him the "Lamb of God" (as profoundly declared in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His sacrificial death, the veil separating humanity from God was dramatically torn from top to bottom (as depicted in [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Torn Veil")), and a new and living way into the Most Holy Place, into God's very presence, was opened for all who believe (as taught in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God through Christ")). Thus, the altar of burnt offering in Exodus 40:6 powerfully prefigures Christ as the indispensable means by which we draw near to God, not through ritual or animal sacrifice, but through faith in His finished work on the cross.

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 40:29

And he put the altar of burnt offering [by] the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 38:1

¶ And he made the altar of burnt offering [of] shittim wood: five cubits [was] the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; [it was] foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

Exodus 38:7

And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Exodus 27:1

¶ And thou shalt make an altar [of] shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits.

Exodus 27:8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make [it].