Exodus 40:9

And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that [is] therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.

And thou shalt take {H3947} the anointing {H4888} oil {H8081}, and anoint {H4886} the tabernacle {H4908}, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow {H6942} it, and all the vessels {H3627} thereof: and it shall be holy {H6944}.

"Take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it -consecrate it with all its furnishings; then it will be holy.

Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy.

And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the furniture thereof: and it shall be holy.

Commentary

Exodus 40:9 details a crucial step in the consecration of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God commanded Israel to build. Moses is instructed to anoint the entire structure and its contents with holy oil, thereby setting them apart for divine use and making them sacred.

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment at the conclusion of the Book of Exodus. Having received intricate blueprints from God on Mount Sinai (detailed in Exodus chapters 25-31), and after the meticulous construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings (described in Exodus chapters 35-39), this chapter describes the final assembly and consecration. The anointing ceremony is the capstone, officially dedicating the Tabernacle as the dwelling place of God among His people, ready for the glory of the Lord to fill it (Exodus 40:34).

Key Themes

  • Consecration and Holiness: The primary theme is the act of making something holy, setting it apart exclusively for God's purposes. The anointing oil symbolized divine appointment and purification, transforming ordinary materials into sacred objects fit for God's presence.
  • Divine Presence: The Tabernacle's ultimate purpose was to be the earthly dwelling place for God's glory. The anointing was a necessary prerequisite for the Lord to take up residence, emphasizing the sanctity required to approach a holy God.
  • Obedience to God's Commands: Moses' meticulous adherence to God's detailed instructions throughout the entire process, including this anointing, underscores the importance of obedience in worship and service.
  • Symbolism of Anointing Oil: In the Old Testament, anointing with oil signified dedication, empowerment, and the bestowal of divine favor, often foreshadowing the work of the Holy Spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "anoint" is mashach (ืžึธืฉึทืื—), from which the word "Messiah" (mashiach) derives, meaning "anointed one." The "anointing oil" (shemen ha-mishchah) was a specially prepared, sacred compound, distinct from common oils, emphasizing its unique purpose in consecrating objects and persons for God. The term "hallow" (qadash - ืงึธื“ึทืฉื) means to make holy, to set apart, or dedicate. When something is "holy" (qodesh - ืงึนื“ึถืฉื), it is removed from common use and dedicated entirely to God's service, reflecting His own perfect nature.

Significance and Application

The anointing of the Tabernacle carries profound significance beyond its Old Testament context:

  • Prefiguring Christ: Just as the Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment, the Word who dwelt among us, embodying God's presence in human form. He is the "Anointed One" par excellence.
  • Believers as Temples: The New Testament teaches that believers, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, become spiritual temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). This implies a call to personal holiness and consecration, setting ourselves apart for God's purposes.
  • The Role of the Holy Spirit: The anointing oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant. Just as the Tabernacle was consecrated by oil, believers are set apart and empowered for service by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to live consecrated lives that reflect God's holiness (Romans 12:1).
  • Dedicated Service: The verse reminds us that everything dedicated to God's service, whether physical spaces, actions, or our very lives, must be set apart and treated with reverence, reflecting His holy character.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 8:10

    And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that [was] therein, and sanctified them.

  • Numbers 7:1

    ยถ And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;

  • 1 John 2:20

    ยถ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  • Isaiah 61:1

    ยถ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • Exodus 30:23

    Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels],

  • Exodus 30:33

    Whosoever compoundeth [any] like it, or whosoever putteth [any] of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:4

    Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
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