📖 Exodus — Chapter 40 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Exodus 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 40:2 On the first day of Rthe first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exodus 40:3 And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
Exodus 40:4 And thou shalt bring in Rthe table, and set in order Tthe things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
Exodus 40:5 And thou shalt set Rthe altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:6 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exodus 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
Exodus 40:8 And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
Exodus 40:9 And thou shalt take Rthe 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.
Exodus 40:10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and Rsanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar Tmost holy.
Exodus 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
Exodus 40:12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Exodus 40:13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and Ranoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Exodus 40:14 RAnd thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
Exodus 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an Reverlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Exodus 40:16 Thus did Moses: Raccording to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Exodus 40:17 And it came to pass in Rthe first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
Exodus 40:18 And Moses reared up the tabernacle, Rand fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
Exodus 40:19 And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:20 And he took and put Rthe testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Exodus 40:21 And Rhe 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.
Exodus 40:22 And Rhe put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
Exodus 40:23 And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:24 And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Exodus 40:25 RAnd he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:26 And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Exodus 40:27 RAnd he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:28 RAnd he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:29 And he put Rthe altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:30 And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Exodus 40:31 And Moses and Aaron and his sons Rwashed their hands and their feet thereat:
Exodus 40:32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; Ras the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:33 And he reared Rup the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
Exodus 40:34 Then Ra cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:36 And Rwhen the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel Twent onward in all their journeys:
Exodus 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exodus 40:38 For Rthe cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 40:1–16 — Instructions for Setting Up
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD directs Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month. He specifies the placement of the furnishings, the anointing of the sanctuary and its vessels, and the washing, clothing, and anointing of Aaron and his sons. Moses follows all that the LORD commands.
Key Truth: The completed sanctuary is arranged and set apart according to God's instructions.
Check What You Remember
1. On what day of the first month was the tabernacle to be set up? (Exodus 40:2)
Find it in Exodus 40:2 (KJV).
2. What was to be put between the tabernacle and the altar? (Exodus 40:7)
Find it in Exodus 40:7 (KJV).
3. Who and his sons were to be washed and clothed for priestly service? (Exodus 40:12–15)
Find it in Exodus 40:12–15 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 40:17–33 — Moses Finishes the Work
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
In the first month of the second year, Moses sets up the tabernacle and places the testimony in the ark. He arranges the table, candlestick, incense altar, and courtyard furnishings, carrying out the commands one by one. Washing is observed as the priests approach for service. The section ends by stating that Moses finished the work.
Key Truth: Obedience puts the LORD's instructions into practice, including the final preparations.
Check What You Remember
1. In which year after the departure was the tabernacle reared up? (Exodus 40:17)
Find it in Exodus 40:17 (KJV).
2. What did Moses place inside the ark? (Exodus 40:20)
Find it in Exodus 40:20 (KJV).
3. Which two parts were washed at the laver? (Exodus 40:31)
Find it in Exodus 40:31 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 40:34–38 — The LORD's Glory and Guidance
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A cloud covers the tent and the LORD's glory fills the tabernacle so that Moses cannot enter. During the journeys, Israel moves when the cloud is taken up and remains when it is not. The cloud is visible by day and fire by night. Exodus ends with the LORD dwelling among and guiding the people he brought out of Egypt.
Key Truth: The LORD's presence and direction remain central to Israel's journey.
Check What You Remember
1. What filled the tabernacle? (Exodus 40:34)
Find it in Exodus 40:34 (KJV).
2. When did Israel go onward in its journeys? (Exodus 40:36)
Find it in Exodus 40:36 (KJV).
3. What was on the tabernacle by night? (Exodus 40:38)
Find it in Exodus 40:38 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the date of the completed erection match the command?
2. How do the table and candlestick occupy opposite sides outside the vail?
3. How does the laver’s position relate to washing before ministry?
4. Why is Moses unable to enter after the work is finished?
5. How does the cloud govern both movement and waiting during the journeys?
Notes
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