2“On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.
3You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
4You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps.
5You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
6“You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.
7You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein.
8You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.
9“You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy.
10You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy.
11You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.
12“You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.
13You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
14You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them.
15You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”
16Moses did so. According to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.
17In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up.
18Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.
19He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
About a five-minute read
Drawn from the public-domain commentaries and Spurgeon sermons that cover this exact passage · ~924 words.
Matthew Henry. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Exo 40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Exo 40:4, Exo 40:5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exo 40:6, Exo 40:7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo 40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, Ch2 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, Exo 30:25, etc. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, Exo 40:12-15. Even that dark dispensation would not admit of unlighted candles. (3.) The golden altar being put in its place, immediately he burnt sweet incense thereon (Exo 40:27); for God's altar must be a smoking altar. (4.) The altar of the burnt-offering was no sooner set up in the court of the tabernacle than he had a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it, Exo 40:29. The rearing of the tabernacle was a good day's work; the consecrating of it, and of the priests, was attended to some days after.
Jamieson–Fausset–Brown. anoint them, as thou didst anoint their fathers--The sacred oil was used, but it does not appear that the ceremony was performed exactly in the same manner; for although the anointing oil was sprinkled over the garments both of Aaron and his sons (Exo 29:21; Lev 8:30), it was not poured over the heads of the latter. This distinction was reserved for the high priest (Exo 29:7; Lev 8:12; Psa 133:2). Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him--On his part, the same scrupulous fidelity was shown in conforming to the "pattern" in the disposition of the furniture, as had been displayed by the workmen in the erection of the edifice.
John Calvin. And he put the 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. 29. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. 13. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. 10. And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 6. 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 everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. 15. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation; 2. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 12. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 5. And it came to pass in the first month, in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. 17. And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court-gate: so Moses finished the work. 33. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons I have already expounded all that might seem to be profitable with respect to the garments and the mode of anointing; only let; my readers remember that the priest, [398] who had been before appointed, is now at length inaugurated, in order that he may begin the discharge of his office. A question, however, here arises why he dignifies the altar of burnt-offering with a more exalted title; for, after having called the tabernacle itself with its vessels simply holy, He calls the altar "holy of holies," which I have rendered sacrosanctum.
Full commentary on this passage
Matthew Henry
chapter
In this chapter, I. Orders are given for the setting up of the tabernacle and the fixing of all the appurtenances of it in their proper places (Exo 40:1-8), and the consecrating of it (Exo 40:9-11), and of the priests (Exo 40:12-15). II. Care is taken to do all this, and as it was appointed to be done (v. 16-33). III. God takes possession of it by the cloud (Exo 40:34, etc.).
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet Moses will not erect it till he has express orders for doing so. It is good to see God going before us in every step, Psa 37:23. The time for doing this is fixed to the first day of the first month (Exo 40:2), which wanted but fourteen days of a year since they came out of Egypt; and a good year's work there was done in it. Probably the work was made ready but just at the end of the year, so that the appointing of this day gave no delay, or next to none, to this good work. We must not put off any necessary duty under pretence of waiting for some remarkable day; the present season is the most convenient. But the tabernacle happening to be set up on the first day of the first month intimates that it is good to begin the year with some good work. Let him that is the first have the first; and let the things of his kingdom be first sought. In Hezekiah's time we find they began to sanctify the temple on the first day of the first month, Ch2 29:17. The new moon (which by their computation was the first day of every month) was observed by them with some solemnity; and therefore this first new moon of the year was thus made remarkable. Note, When a new year begins, we should think of serving God more and better than we did the year before. Moses is particularly ordered to set up the tabernacle itself first, in which God would dwell and would be served (Exo 40:2), then to put the ark in its place, and draw the veil before it (Exo 40:3), then to fix the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, without the veil (Exo 40:4, Exo 40:5), and to fix the hanging of the door before the door. Then in the court he must place the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exo 40:6, Exo 40:7); and, lastly, he must set up the curtains of the court, and a hanging for a court-gate. And all this would be easily done in one day, many hands no doubt being employed in it under the direction of Moses. 2. He directs Moses, when he had set up the tabernacle and all the furniture of it, to consecrate it and them, by anointing them with the oil which was prepared for the purpose, Exo 30:25, etc. It was there ordered that this should be done; here it was ordered that it should be done now, Exo 40:9-11. Observe, Every thing was sanctified when it was put in its proper place, and not till then, for till then it was not fit for the use to which it was to be sanctified. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so is every thing in its place. 3. He directs him to consecrate Aaron and his sons. When the goods were brought into God's house, they were marked first, and then servants were hired to bear the vessels of the Lord; and those must be clean who were put into that office, Exo 40:12-15. The law which was now ordered to be put in execution we had before, ch. 29. Thus in the visible church, which is God's tabernacle among men, it is requisite that there be ministers to keep the charge of the sanctuary, and that they receive the anointing.
When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off the rearing of it till they came to Canaan, though they now hoped to be there very shortly; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp, while they were in the wilderness. Those that are unsettled in the world must not think that this will excuse them in their continued irreligion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is a very needful and profitable companion even in a wilderness, especially considering that our carcases may fall in that wilderness, and we may be fixed in another world before we come to fix in this.
The rearing of the tabernacle was a good day's work; the consecrating of it, and of the priests, was attended to some days after. Here we have an account only of that new-year's-day's work. 1. Moses not only did all that God directed him to do, but in the order that God appointed; for God will be sought in the due order. 2. To each particular there is added an express reference to the divine appointment, which Moses governed himself by as carefully and conscientiously as the workmen did; and therefore, as before, so here it is repeated, as the Lord commanded Moses, seven times in less than fourteen verses. Moses himself, as great a man as he was, would not pretend to vary from the institution, neither to add to it nor diminish from it, in the least punctilio. Those that command others must remember that their Master also is in heaven, and they must do as they are commanded. 3. That which was to be veiled be veiled (Exo 40:21), and that which was to be used he used immediately, for the instruction of the priests, that by seeing him do the several offices they might learn to do them the more dexterously. Though Moses was not properly a priest, yet he is numbered among the priests (Psa 99:6), and the Jewish writers call him the priest of the priests; what he did he did by special warrant and direction from God, rather as a prophet, or law-giver, than as a priest. He set the wheels a going, and then left the work in the hands of the appointed ministry. (1.) When he had placed the table, he set the show-bread in order upon it (Exo 40:23); for God will never have his table unfurnished. (2.) As soon as he had fixed the candlestick, he lighted the lamps before the Lord, Exo 40:25. Even that dark dispensation would not admit of unlighted candles. (3.) The golden altar being put in its place, immediately he burnt sweet incense thereon (Exo 40:27); for God's altar must be a smoking altar. (4.) The altar of the burnt-offering was no sooner set up in the court of the tabernacle than he had a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering, ready to offer upon it, Exo 40:29. Some think, though this is mentioned here, it was not done till some time after; but it seems to me that he immediately began the ceremony of its consecration, though it was not completed for seven days. (5.) At the laver likewise, when he had fixed that, Moses himself washed his hands and feet. Thus, in all these instances, he not only showed the priests how to do their duty, but has taught us that God's gifts are intended for use, and not barely for show. Though the altars, and table, and candlestick, were fresh and new, he did not say it was a pity to sully them; no, he handselled them immediately. Talents were given to be occupied, not to be buried.
Exodus 40:1-35
1. And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saving,
1. Loquutus est Jehova ad Mosen, dicendo:
2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation;
2. Die mensis primi, prima ejusdem, eriges tabernaculum, tabernaculum conventionis.
3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
3. Et pones ibi arcam testimonii quam teges velo.
4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
4. Introducesque mensam, et ordinationem ejus: introduces insuper candelabrum, et accendes luernas ejus.
5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
5. Pones praeterea altare aureum ad suffimentum e regione arcae testimonii: et pones aulaeum ostii tabernaculi.
6. And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
6. Dein pones altare holocausti coram ostio tabernaculi conventionis:
7. And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
7. Postea pones concham inter tabernaculum conventionis et altare, in qua pones aquam.
8. And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court-gate.
8. Postremo pones atrium in circuitu, et aulueum portae atrii.
9. And thou shalt take the 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.
9. Tunc accipies oleum unctionis, et unges tabernaculum atque omnia vasa qum sunt in eo: sanctificabisque illud et omnia vasa ejus, et erit sanctum.
10. And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt-offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
10. Unges et altare holocausti, atque onmia vasa ejus: sanctificabisque altare, et erit altare sacrosanctum.
11. And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
11. Unges etiam concham et basira ejus, sanctificabisque illam.
12. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
12. Tunc appropinquare facies Aharon et filius ejus ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis, lavabisque cos aqua.
13. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
13. Et induere facies Aharon vestes sanctas, ungesque eum, et sanctificabis eum, ut sacerdotio fungatur mihi.
14. And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
14. Filios quoque ejus appropinquare facies, et indues eos tunicis.
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 everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
15. Ungesque filius, quemadmodum unxeris patrem eorum: et sacerdotio fungentur mihi, eritque unctio eorum ut sit els in sacerdotium perpetuum per generationes suas.
16. Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.
16. Fecit ergo Moses juxta omnia quae illi praeceperat Jehova, sic fecit.
17. And it came to pass in the first month, in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
17. Et factum est mense primo, anno secundo, prima mensis, erectum filit tabernaculum.
18. And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the hoards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
18. Erexit igitur Moses tabernaculum, posuitque bases ejus, et tabulas ejus, et vectes ejus, atque erexit columnas ejus.
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.…
Source · Public Domain (CC Public Domain Mark 1.0)
2
Exodus 40:2.
On the first day of the first month I cannot at all approve of the opinion of those commentators who think that the tabernacle was only now set up. That it was already complete in all its parts before Moses went the second time into the Mount, we infer from the fact that the ark was then prepared in which the tables were deposited, as we shall see from the context. Besides, it has elsewhere [394] been shewn by sound arguments, as I think, that it was pitched without the camp in token of divorce, from the time that the people had made the calf. What, then, is the meaning of the setting-up which is now spoken of? I reply, that it is said to have been set up, when [395] it was brought back from its strange to its proper place. For then it was both anointed and honored by sacred oblations, whilst Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the performance of the priestly office. Since, therefore, it had not yet been duly placed in the middle of the camp, nay, rather had been removed from the people lest they should enjoy that pledge of God's presence, its solemn dcdication is justly celebrated after the renewal of the covenant. This passage also confirms what I have said elsewhere, [396] that this was the tabernacle which Moses pitched at a distance from the camp; for, by the addition of its title, he speaks as of something well known, "Thou shalt set up (He says) the tabernacle, viz., the tabernacle of convention." Now Moses himself had already stated that this name had been given it by the mouth of God. He repeats, however, the same injunctions, not that He distrusted the memory of His servant, but that it might be more fully apparent that He was Himself the sole Author of the whole work, and also that it nlight obtain more reverence, since He had so often deigned to give initructions as concerning things of very great importance.
9. And thou shalt take the anointing oil There was by no means any virtue or efficacy for sanctification in the oil, except in so far as it was a type of the Spirit, from whom as its only source all holiness emanates. Assuredly the oil, as being a corruptible fluid, neither penetrates into the soul, nor would by itself at all avail unto spiritual service. It appears, however, from many pnssages of Scripture, that it was a symbol of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This figure, therefore, clearly shews that nothing pleases God, that nothing is pure or holy in His sight, except what has been purged, and duly consecrated by the influence and grace of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, God would have all the vessels of the sanctuary set apart by this sacred anointing from common use, in order that the Israelites might distinguish between things sacred and profane, and thus that God's service might receive its due reverence, so that none should intrude the pollutions of the flesh into that place, the purity of which had been signalized by that sacred symbol. A question, however, here arises why he dignifies the altar of burnt-offering with a more exalted title; for, after having called the tabernacle itself with its vessels simply holy, He calls the altar "holy of holies," which I have rendered sacrosanctum. I doubt not but that it acquired this name from the sacrifices, which are also so called on account of the expiation made by them, [397] as we have seen elsewhere. The children of Israel, therefore, were instructed that God is truly reconciled by holocausts and burnt-offerings, since "the holiness of holinesses" resided on the altar itself.
12. And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons I have already expounded all that might seem to be profitable with respect to the garments and the mode of anointing; only let; my readers remember that the priest, [398] who had been before appointed, is now at length inaugurated, in order that he may begin the discharge of his office. At the same time, let them also bear in mind that this oil was consecrated by God. Hence it appears how foolishly the Popish bishops, a…
Source · Public Domain (CC Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
15
anoint them, as thou didst anoint their fathers--The sacred oil was used, but it does not appear that the ceremony was performed exactly in the same manner; for although the anointing oil was sprinkled over the garments both of Aaron and his sons (Exo 29:21; Lev 8:30), it was not poured over the heads of the latter. This distinction was reserved for the high priest (Exo 29:7; Lev 8:12; Psa 133:2).
Source · Public Domain (CC Public Domain Mark 1.0)
16
Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him--On his part, the same scrupulous fidelity was shown in conforming to the "pattern" in the disposition of the furniture, as had been displayed by the workmen in the erection of the edifice.
Source · Public Domain (CC Public Domain Mark 1.0)