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Exodus 40
EasyEnglish Bible

Moses puts up the tabernacle

40 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘On the first day of the first month, put up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.[a] 3 Put the Covenant Box in the tabernacle and hide it behind the special curtain. 4 Bring in the special table and put the dishes on it. Then bring in the lampstand. Fix its lamps on it. 5 Put the gold altar for incense in front of the Covenant Box. Hang the curtain that will be at the entrance to the tabernacle.

6 Put the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 7 Put the large bowl for water between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. Put water in the bowl. 8 Hang the curtains around the yard of the tabernacle, as well as the curtain at the entrance to the yard.

9 Take the special oil that makes things holy. Pour some oil on the tabernacle and on everything that is in it. Offer the tabernacle and all its things to God, and then it will be holy. 10 Then pour some oil on the altar for burnt offerings and all its tools. Offer it all to God, and then it will be completely holy. 11 Pour some oil on the large bowl for water and on its base to offer them to God.

12 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Wash them with water. 13 Then dress Aaron in the special clothes for the priest. Pour some of the special oil on his head. Offer him to me to serve me as my priest. 14 Also bring his sons and dress them in the special long shirts. 15 Pour some oil on their heads, as you did to their father. Then they too may serve me as my priests. In this way, they and their descendants will always continue to serve me as priests.’

16 Moses did all these things, as the Lord had commanded him.

17 So they put up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month. It was in the second year after they had left Egypt. 18 When Moses put up the tabernacle, he first put the metal bases in their right places. Then he put up the boards, the bars to hold them, and the poles. 19 Then he covered the tabernacle with the tent and he put the leather covers over the tent. He did this in the way that the Lord had commanded him.

20 Moses took the two flat stones with God's special commands on them. He put them inside the Covenant Box. He put the poles through the rings on the box. He put the special lid on top of the box. 21 Then he brought the Covenant Box into the tabernacle. He hung the special curtain to hide it, so that nobody could see it. He did this in the way that the Lord had commanded him.

22 Moses put the special table inside the Tent of Meeting. He put it outside the curtain, on the north side of the Holy Place. 23 He put the special bread on the table as an offering to the Lord, as the Lord had commanded him.

24 He also put the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting. He put it on the south side of the Holy Place, opposite the table. 25 Then he put the lamps in their places in front of the Lord, as the Lord had commanded him.

26 Moses put the gold altar in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that hid the Covenant Box. 27 He burned sweet incense on it, as the Lord had commanded him. 28 Then he hung the curtain at the entrance of the tent.

29 He put the altar for burnt offerings outside the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. He offered a burnt offering and a grain offering on it, as the Lord had commanded him.

30 Moses put the large bowl for water between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. He put water in it for the priests to wash themselves. 31 Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons used the water to wash their hands and their feet. 32 They washed themselves every time that they went into the Tent of Meeting. They also washed themselves before they went to offer sacrifices at the altar. They did what the Lord had commanded Moses to do.

33 Moses also made the yard around the tabernacle and round the altar. He hung the curtain at the entrance of the yard.

In that way, Moses finished the work.

The glory of the Lord

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not go into the Tent of Meeting because of the cloud and the bright glory of the Lord.

36 The Israelites followed the cloud during all their journeys. Every time that the cloud rose up from the tabernacle, they would continue on their journey. 37 But if the cloud remained on the tabernacle, the Israelites did not travel. They stayed where they were until the day when the cloud rose up. 38 So the cloud stayed over the tabernacle during the day, to show that the Lord was with them. During the night, there was fire in the cloud. All the Israelites could see the cloud during all their journeys.

Footnotes

  1. 40:2 The Tent of Meeting and the tabernacle usually mean the same tent. Sometimes the Tent of Meeting means only the tent itself and the tabernacle means the tent and the yard that were around it.
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Exodus 40
New International Version

Setting Up the Tabernacle

40 Then the Lord said to Moses: 2 “Set up(A) the tabernacle, the tent of meeting,(B) on the first day of the first month.(C) 3 Place the ark(D) of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. 4 Bring in the table(E) and set out what belongs on it.(F) Then bring in the lampstand(G) and set up its lamps. 5 Place the gold altar(H) of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

6 “Place the altar(I) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 7 place the basin(J) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 Set up the courtyard(K) around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.

9 “Take the anointing oil and anoint(L) the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings,(M) and it will be holy. 10 Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate(N) the altar, and it will be most holy. 11 Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.

12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting(O) and wash them with water.(P) 13 Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments,(Q) anoint him and consecrate(R) him so he may serve me as priest. 14 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.(S) 15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.(T)” 16 Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded(U) him.

17 So the tabernacle(V) was set up on the first day of the first month(W) in the second year. 18 When Moses(X) set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames,(Y) inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering(Z) over the tent, as the Lord commanded(AA) him.

20 He took the tablets of the covenant law(AB) and placed them in the ark,(AC) attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover(AD) over it. 21 Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain(AE) and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the Lord commanded(AF) him.

22 Moses placed the table(AG) in the tent of meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain 23 and set out the bread(AH) on it before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(AI) him.

24 He placed the lampstand(AJ) in the tent of meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle 25 and set up the lamps(AK) before the Lord, as the Lord commanded(AL) him.

26 Moses placed the gold altar(AM) in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord commanded(AN) him.

28 Then he put up the curtain(AO) at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar(AP) of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings,(AQ) as the Lord commanded(AR) him.

30 He placed the basin(AS) between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, 31 and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash(AT) their hands and feet. 32 They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar,(AU) as the Lord commanded(AV) Moses.

33 Then Moses set up the courtyard(AW) around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain(AX) at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

The Glory of the Lord

34 Then the cloud(AY) covered the tent of meeting, and the glory(AZ) of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory(BA) of the Lord filled the tabernacle.(BB)

36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out;(BC) 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud(BD) of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.

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Exodus 40
New English Translation

Setting Up the Sanctuary

40 [a] Then the Lord spoke to Moses:[b] 2 “On the first day of the first month you are to set up[c] the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 3 You are to place the ark of the testimony in it and shield the ark with the special curtain. 4 You are to bring in the table and set out the things that belong on it;[d] then you are to bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 You are to put[e] the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6 You are to put the altar for the burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting. 7 You are to put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it.[f] 8 You are to set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the gate of the courtyard. 9 And take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and sanctify it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. 10 Then you are to anoint the altar for the burnt offering with[g] all its utensils; you are to sanctify the altar, and it will be the most holy altar. 11 You must also anoint the large basin and its pedestal, and you are to sanctify it.[h]

12 “You are to bring[i] Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13 Then you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments and anoint him and sanctify him so that he may minister as my priest. 14 You are to bring[j] his sons and clothe them with tunics 15 and anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may minister as my priests; their anointing will make them a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.” 16 This is what Moses did, according to all the Lord had commanded him—so he did.

17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month, in the second year. 18 When Moses set up the tabernacle and put its bases in place, he set up its frames, attached its bars, and set up its posts. 19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded him.[k] 20 He took the testimony and put it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung[l] the protecting curtain,[m] and shielded the ark of the testimony from view, just as the Lord had commanded him.[n]

22 And Moses[o] put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain. 23 And he set the bread in order on it[p] before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.[q]

24 And he put the lampstand in the tent of meeting opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 Then he set up the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him.[r]

26 And he put the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain, 27 and he burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord had commanded him.[s]

28 Then Moses[t] put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 29 He also put the altar for the burnt offering by the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, just as the Lord had commanded him.[u]

30 Then he put the large basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it[v] for washing. 31 Moses and Aaron and his sons would wash their hands and their feet from it. 32 Whenever they entered[w] the tent of meeting, and whenever they approached[x] the altar, they would wash,[y] just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

33 And he set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and put the curtain at the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 But when the cloud was lifted up[z] from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out[aa] on all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud was not lifted up, then they would not journey farther until the day it was lifted up.[ab] 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, but fire would be[ac] on it at night, in plain view[ad] of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 40:1 sn All of Exod 39:32-40:38 could be taken as a unit. The first section (39:32-43) shows that the Israelites had carefully and accurately completed the preparation and brought everything they had made to Moses: The work of the Lord builds on the faithful obedience of the people. In the second section are the instruction and the implementation (40:1-33): The work of the Lord progresses through the unifying of the work. The last part (40:34-38) may take the most attention: When the work was completed, the glory filled the tabernacle: By his glorious presence, the Lord blesses and directs his people in their worship.
  2. Exodus 40:1 tn Heb “and Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying.”
  3. Exodus 40:2 tn Heb “you will raise,” an imperfect of instruction.
  4. Exodus 40:4 tn Heb “and you will set in order its setting” or “arrange its arrangement.” See 25:29-30 for items that belonged on the table.
  5. Exodus 40:5 tn Heb “give” (also four additional times in vv. 6-8).
  6. Exodus 40:7 tn Heb “there.”
  7. Exodus 40:10 tn Heb “and.”
  8. Exodus 40:11 sn U. Cassuto (Exodus, 480) notes that the items inside the tent did not need to be enumerated since they were already holy, but items in the courtyard needed special attention. People needed to know that items outside the tent were just as holy.
  9. Exodus 40:12 tn The verb is “bring near,” or “present,” to Yahweh.
  10. Exodus 40:14 tn The verb is also “bring near” or “present.”
  11. Exodus 40:19 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  12. Exodus 40:21 tn Heb “set up,” if it includes more than the curtain.
  13. Exodus 40:21 tn Or “shielding” (NIV); Heb “the veil of the covering” (cf. KJV).
  14. Exodus 40:21 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  15. Exodus 40:22 tn Heb “him”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  16. Exodus 40:23 tn Heb uses a cognate accusative construction, “he arranged the arrangement.”
  17. Exodus 40:23 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  18. Exodus 40:25 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  19. Exodus 40:27 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  20. Exodus 40:28 tn Heb “him”; the referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  21. Exodus 40:29 tn Heb “Moses”; the name has been replaced with the pronoun for stylistic reasons.
  22. Exodus 40:30 tn Heb “there.”
  23. Exodus 40:32 tn The construction is the infinitive construct with the temporal preposition and the suffixed subjective genitive. This temporal clause indicates that the verb in the preceding verse was frequentative.
  24. Exodus 40:32 tn This is another infinitive construct in a temporal clause.
  25. Exodus 40:32 tn In this explanatory verse the verb is a customary imperfect.
  26. Exodus 40:36 tn The construction uses the Niphal infinitive construct to form the temporal clause.
  27. Exodus 40:36 tn The imperfect tense in this context describes a customary action.
  28. Exodus 40:37 tn The clause uses the Niphal infinitive construct in the temporal clause: “until the day of its being taken up.”
  29. Exodus 40:38 tn Here is another imperfect tense of the customary nuance.
  30. Exodus 40:38 tn Heb “to the eyes of all”; KJV, ASV, NASB “in the sight of all”; NRSV “before the eyes of all.”
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