Bible Commentaries
Exodus 40

Verse 2

40:2 On the {a} first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

(a) After that Moses had been 40 days and 40 nights in the mountain, that is, from the beginning of August to the tenth of September, he came down, and caused this work to be done: which when finished, was set up in Abib, half March and half April.

Verse 5

40:5 And thou shalt set the altar {b} of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the {c} hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

(b) That is, the altar of perfume, or to burn incense on.

(c) This hanging or veil was between the sanctuary and the court.

Verse 15

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 {d} shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

(d) Till both the priesthood and the ceremonies should end, which is at Christ’s coming.

Verse 17

40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in {e} the second year, on the first [day] of the month, [that] the tabernacle was reared up.

(e) After they came out of Egypt, Numbers 7:1.

Verse 20

40:20 And he took and put the {f} testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

(f) That is, the tables of the law; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 34:29.

Verse 28

40:28 And he set up the hanging [at] the {g} door of the tabernacle.

(g) Between the sanctuary and the court.

Verse 38

40:38 For {h} the 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.

(h) Thus the presence of God preserved and guided them night and day, till they came to the land promised.