Exodus 40:1-33 | The Way of Scripture

Exodus 40:1-33

How is the completed dwelling prepared for service?

Berean Standard Bible

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. 3 Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil. 4 Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps. 5 Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6 Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. 7 And place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 8 Set up the surrounding courtyard and hang the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard.
9 Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. 10 Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy. 11 Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. 12 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. 13 And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest. 14 Bring his sons forward and clothe them with tunics. 15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may also serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood throughout their generations.”
16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him. 17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. 18 When Moses set up the tabernacle, he laid its bases, positioned its frames, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him. 20 Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark. 21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and shielded off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.
22 Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil. 23 He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him. 24 He also placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle 25 and set up the lamps before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him. 26 Moses placed the gold altar in the Tent of Meeting, in front of the veil, 27 and he burned fragrant incense on it, just as the LORD had commanded him. 28 Then he put up the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He placed the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded him.
30 He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing; 31 and from it Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet. 32 They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 33 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.

What is the context?

God tells Moses to set up the dwelling on the first day of the first month. Verse 17 identifies this as the second year. The commands place the ark behind the inner veil, the table and lampstand in the Holy Place, the incense altar before the veil, and the altar and basin in the courtyard.

The dwelling and its furnishings are anointed and set apart for God. Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, and anointed for their priestly service. The passage brings the structure, equipment, and people together as one appointed way of worship.

Moses carries out the commands. The testimony is placed in the ark, the bread arranged, the lamps set up, incense burned, and offerings presented. Moses, Aaron, and his sons wash their hands and feet as commanded. Finally the courtyard and its entrance are set up, and the work is finished.

The repeated account of obedience prepares for what comes next. The dwelling has not been constructed simply as a monument to craftsmanship; it is the place God has promised to make His own among His people.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the setting up as the establishment of the completed work at the start of the second year. Calvin understands it as the dedication and return of a sanctuary he believes had already been used earlier. Their proposed order of events differs, but both emphasize that Moses carries out God’s directions carefully.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Hebrews 8:1–6 explains the larger place of this carefully ordered service. The earthly sanctuary is a copy and shadow of heavenly realities, and Moses is told to follow the pattern shown him. Jesus ministers in the true sanctuary and mediates the better covenant.

Hebrews 9:23–28 develops the difference: Christ enters heaven itself on our behalf and offers Himself once to deal with sin. The appointed earthly worship belongs within a purpose that reaches beyond it to lasting redemption and access to God through Him.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

A Living Study And Exchange

This site is a living study effort. Thoughtful feedback is welcome, and future study may lead to clarification, correction, or revision.

Public comments, when enabled, will be reviewed before appearing on the site so discussion remains respectful and relevant. The goal is to grow in understanding, test everything by Scripture, and remain willing to change where the text requires it.