Exodus 40 10

Exodus 40:10 kjv

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.

Exodus 40:10 nkjv

You shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy.

Exodus 40:10 niv

Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy.

Exodus 40:10 esv

You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy.

Exodus 40:10 nlt

Anoint the altar of burnt offering and its utensils to consecrate them. Then the altar will become absolutely holy.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 10 Meaning

Exodus 40:10 establishes that the Altar of Burnt Offering, central to Israel's system of atonement and worship, must undergo a specific divine ritual of anointing and consecration. This process elevates the altar, along with all its serving instruments, to a state of "most holy," signifying its utter dedication and exclusivity for God's service. This act underscores the absolute sanctity required for objects involved in approaching a holy God and mediating forgiveness.

Exodus 40 10 Context

Exodus 40 concludes the book of Exodus, providing the final divine instructions for the actual erection, assembly, and consecration of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings. Following the detailed plans given in earlier chapters, Moses is now commanded to put these plans into action on the first day of the first month. Verse 10 specifically addresses the altar of burnt offering, a foundational element in Israelite worship. The instructions are meticulous because the Tabernacle is to be the dwelling place of God's holy presence among His people, requiring every component to be divinely purified and set apart for sacred use. This verse is part of the climactic moment where the Tabernacle moves from blueprint to sacred reality, immediately preceding the descent of the Lord's glory. The historical and cultural context reflects an ancient Near Eastern understanding of sacred space, but with distinct emphasis on the singular God of Israel, YHWH, whose demands for purity and exclusive devotion far exceeded those of surrounding polytheistic cults. The precise, divinely ordained rituals stood in polemic contrast to human-devised or idolatrous practices, underscoring God's absolute transcendence and His specific means for relationship.

Exodus 40 10 Word analysis

• And you shall anoint: [Hebrew: וּמָשַׁחְתָּ, u-māshaḥtā]. The root māshaḥ (מָשַׁח) means "to smear," "to rub with oil," or "to anoint." This action is more than physical; it symbolically consecrates an object or person, setting them apart for sacred service and imbuing them with divine authorization or fitness for a holy purpose. It signifies selection by God and enablement for His work.
• the altar of burnt offering: [Hebrew: אֶת־מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה, ’et-mizbaḥ hā‘olāh]. Mizbaḥ (מִזְבַּח) is "altar," from a root meaning "to slaughter for sacrifice." Ha‘olāh (הָעֹלָה) is "the burnt offering," from a verb meaning "to ascend," as the whole sacrifice would ascend in smoke to God. This specific altar, made of bronze and located in the Tabernacle court, was central to Israel's worship, providing the means for atonement and facilitating an acceptable approach to God through sacrifice. Its anointing directly tied it to its holy function of mediating reconciliation.
• and all its utensils: [Hebrew: וְאֶת־כָּל־כֵּלָיו, wə’et-kāl-kēlāw]. Kelim (כֵּלִים) refers to tools, vessels, or implements. In this context, these are the auxiliary items used for the altar's service (e.g., pots, shovels, basins). The phrase "all its utensils" highlights the completeness of the sanctification. Every item, regardless of its primary or secondary role, that assists in holy service must be set apart and dedicated, underscoring the thoroughness of God's requirements for holiness in His sanctuary and worship.
• and consecrate it: [Hebrew: וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֹתוֹ, wə-qiḏaštā ’otōw]. The root qādaš (קָדַשׁ) means "to be holy," "to set apart," or "to dedicate." This goes beyond the physical anointing, denoting the spiritual act of making something sacred, distinguishing it from all common use and dedicating it exclusively to God's possession and purpose. This ritual action purifies and imparts a special status.
• that it may be most holy: [Hebrew: וְהָיָה קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים, wə-hāyāh qōḏeš qodāšîm]. Qodesh qodeshim (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים) is an intensive Hebrew construct literally meaning "holiness of holinesses" or "holy of holies." It signifies the highest, absolute degree of sanctity, reserved for the most sacred places, objects, or offerings in God's service. For the altar, achieving this status means it became uniquely consecrated and utterly pure, fit to be the pivotal point for sacrifices and atonement, establishing a realm where a holy God could interact with His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And you shall anoint ... and consecrate it": This phrase details the divine mandate for a two-stage process of purification and dedication. Anointing involves the ceremonial application of oil as a symbol of setting apart, election, and empowering. Consecrating is the act of declaring and making something truly holy and exclusive for God's use, implying spiritual separation and dedication. Both actions are necessary to prepare the altar for its unique, sacred function.
• "the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils": This group specifies the primary and secondary elements within the sphere of the altar's ministry that must undergo this profound sanctification. The altar itself, central to atonement and worship, is explicitly named alongside "all its utensils." This inclusion emphasizes that holiness is not confined to the main object but extends comprehensively to every tool and implement utilized in sacred service, leaving no room for the common or unclean within God's worship domain.
• "that it may be most holy": This clause reveals the purpose and outcome of the entire ritual process. The ultimate goal is to confer upon the altar the status of "most holy" (qodesh qodeshim), denoting the highest level of sanctity possible. This absolute holiness renders the altar entirely fit to facilitate the crucial redemptive acts of sacrifice and atonement, symbolizing that only perfect purity can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and an utterly holy God.

Exodus 40 10 Bonus section

• The special "holy anointing oil" (Ex. 30:31) prescribed for the Tabernacle and its items was distinct and prohibited for common use or application on common persons. This restriction highlights the exclusive and divine nature of the objects and persons set apart for God's specific purposes. The sanctity imparted was from God alone.
• The "most holy" status was not merely ceremonial but also imbued these objects with a potent sacredness; Exodus 29:37 states that anything touching the consecrated altar would also become holy. This concept, sometimes called "contagion of holiness," emphasizes the transformative power of proximity to the divine and points to the Lord's power to sanctify even those things in relation to His pure essence.
• The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle, including this altar's consecration, served as a foundational lesson for Israel on the character of YHWH – His order, His purity, and His absolute sovereignty over all aspects of their lives and worship. These divinely given rituals differentiated Israel's worship fundamentally from the often impure or chaotic cultic practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing monotheism and the singular demands of the covenant.

Exodus 40 10 Commentary

Exodus 40:10 encapsulates a core principle of Old Testament worship: the profound necessity of holiness and dedication in approaching the living God. The Altar of Burnt Offering, as the nexus for sin atonement and communal fellowship with God through sacrifice, required the most intense consecration. The dual act of anointing and consecrating was not merely symbolic; it set the altar apart as exclusively God's, infusing it with a holiness essential for its function. This level of sanctity underscored the awe-inspiring nature of God and His non-negotiable standards for access to His presence. By making the altar "most holy," it ensured that the means by which humanity could seek forgiveness was divinely appointed, perfectly purified, and capable of mediating effectively. This rigorous purification prefigures the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who Himself was utterly holy and through His singular offering, once for all, perfectly consecrated and perfected those He redeemed, providing a perpetual "altar" for genuine access to God.