Keraia
Exodus 40

Exodus 40:20

Setting Up the Tabernacle · Exodus 40:1–33
Read Exodus 40

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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:
Literal
And he took and he set the Testimony into the ark, and he put the poles on the ark, and he set the mercy seat on the ark from above.
Latin
Posuit et testimonium in arca, subditis infra vectibus, et oraculum desuper.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Exodus 40:1–33

  • The report on setting up the Tent of Meeting starts with the Lord's commands (40:1–15). It continues with how Moses obeyed those commands (40:16–33).

  • The repeated statement that "Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded" (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32) strongly contrasts with Aaron’s self-serving statement in 32:22–24. God wants to share his presence with us, but his holiness requires us to give up our own efforts to secure his presence and gifts.

Parallels

Acts 7:44–47 Hebrews 9:1–10

Glossary

Bathe, Bathing Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law Decalogue: Tables of Testimony Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Tabernacle First Set Up Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Engraved on Stone Mercy-Seat: Placed on the Ark of the Testimony Mercy-Seat: Placed Upon the Ark of Testimony Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place