Exodus 40:3

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Exodus 40:3 is a pivotal verse in the final instructions for setting up the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among the Israelites in the wilderness. It describes the placement of the most sacred object, the Ark of the Testimony, within the innermost part of the Tabernacle and its subsequent concealment by a veil.

Context

This verse is part of the climactic conclusion of the Book of Exodus, specifically chapter 40, which details the meticulous completion and erection of the Tabernacle according to God's precise blueprint. After months of construction, guided by Moses and skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Aholiab, the time came for the Tabernacle's dedication. Exodus 40 outlines the step-by-step process of assembling each component, from the framework to the coverings, and then placing the sacred furnishings in their designated spots. The instruction to place the Ark and cover it with the veil signifies the very heart of the sanctuary's purpose and God's holy presence among His people. This careful arrangement underscored the divine order and the reverence required in approaching the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Dwelling: The "ark of the testimony" (more commonly known as the Ark of the Covenant) was the central symbol of God's presence among Israel. Its placement within the Tabernacle signified that God was literally "tabernacling" with His people, fulfilling His promise to dwell among them.
  • God's Holiness and Separation: The command to "cover the ark with the vail" is crucial. This thick curtain, known as the `parokhet` in Hebrew, separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). Only the High Priest could enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The veil served as a constant reminder of God's absolute holiness and the sinfulness of humanity, necessitating a barrier and a specific, divinely ordained means of access.
  • Covenant Relationship: The Ark contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, referred to as the "testimony" because they bore witness to God's covenant with Israel. Placing the Ark symbolized God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His people's responsibility to obey His laws.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ark of the testimony" is a direct translation of the Hebrew `aron ha'edut` (ืึธืจื•ึนืŸ ื”ึธืขึตื“ึปืช). The term `edut` (testimony) refers specifically to the two tablets of the Law that were placed inside the Ark, underscoring its role as the container for God's revealed will and covenant. The "vail" is from the Hebrew `parokhet` (ืคึธึผืจึนื›ึถืช), a heavy, ornate curtain designed to completely enclose the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the sacred separation.

Practical Application

Exodus 40:3, and the entire Tabernacle narrative, lays foundational truths about God's nature and our relationship with Him:

  • God Desires Relationship, But On His Terms: The Tabernacle showed God's desire to be near His people, yet the veil underscored His holiness and the need for reverence and a divinely appointed way to approach Him.
  • The Significance of Christ: In the New Testament, the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) is profoundly significant. It symbolizes that through Jesus' sacrificial death, the barrier between God and humanity has been removed. Believers now have direct access to God's presence, not through rituals or physical barriers, but through the "new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20) that Christ inaugurated.
  • Reverence and Obedience: The meticulous detail of the Tabernacle's construction teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands and cultivating a deep reverence for His holiness in our lives.
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

  • Numbers 4:5 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Revelation 11:19 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.