Exodus 40

God Tells Moses to Set Up the Tabernacle

1 Then the Lord told Moses,

2 ‘Set up the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the first month.’

3 ‘Put the Ark of the Covenant inside and hang the inner curtain to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.’

4 ‘Bring in the table, set everything on it, and put the lampstand in place with its lamps.’

5 ‘Put the gold incense altar in front of the Ark, and hang the entrance curtain of the Tabernacle.’

6 ‘Place the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance of the Tabernacle.’

7 ‘Set the wash basin between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.’

8 ‘Put up the courtyard curtains all around and hang the curtain at the entrance.’

Moses Anoints Everything

9 ‘Take the anointing oil and anoint the Tabernacle and everything in it to make it holy.’

10 ‘Anoint the altar for burnt offerings and all its tools, to make it holy. Whatever touches it will be holy.’

11 ‘Anoint the wash basin and its stand to set it apart.’

12 ‘Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tabernacle and wash them with water.’

13 ‘Dress Aaron in the holy garments, anoint him, and set him apart as My priest.’

14 ‘Bring his sons, dress them in tunics,’

15 ‘Anoint them just like you did Aaron, so they can serve as My priests. Their anointing will be a lasting covenant for all generations.’

Moses Obeys & Sets Up the Tabernacle

16 Moses did everything exactly as the Lord commanded.

17 So on the first day of the first month, they set up the Tabernacle.

18 Moses put down the bases, set up the frames, attached the crossbars, and raised the posts.

19 He spread the tent over the Tabernacle and put the covering over it, just as the Lord commanded.

20 He took the stone tablets and placed them inside the Ark. Then he put the poles through the Ark’s rings and set the Mercy Seat on top.

21 He placed the Ark inside the Tabernacle and hung the curtain to separate the Most Holy Place, just as the Lord commanded.

22 He put the table in the Holy Place, on the north side of the Tabernacle.

23 He arranged the Bread of Presence on the table before the Lord, just as the Lord commanded.

24 He set the lampstand in the Holy Place, across from the table, on the south side.

25 He lit the lamps before the Lord, just as the Lord commanded.

26 He placed the gold incense altar in front of the curtain,

27 And burned fragrant incense on it, just as the Lord commanded.

28 He hung the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

29 He placed the altar for burnt offerings at the entrance and sacrificed burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, just as the Lord commanded.

30 He placed the wash basin between the Tabernacle and the altar and filled it with water.

31 Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet there.

32 They washed whenever they entered the Tabernacle or approached the altar, just as the Lord commanded.

33 Then Moses put up the courtyard curtains around the Tabernacle and hung the entrance curtain. Finally, Moses was done.

God’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle

34 Then the cloud of God’s glory covered the Tabernacle, and His presence filled it.

35 Moses could not even enter because the Lord’s glory was so strong inside the Tabernacle.

36 Whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites packed up and moved forward.

37 But if the cloud stayed, they stayed put until it lifted again.

38 The Lord’s cloud rested over the Tabernacle by day, and at night, fire was inside it, visible to all of Israel. This continued throughout their journey.