Exodus 40 18

Exodus 40:18 kjv

And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

Exodus 40:18 nkjv

So Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars.

Exodus 40:18 niv

When Moses set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames, inserted the crossbars and set up the posts.

Exodus 40:18 esv

Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars.

Exodus 40:18 nlt

Moses erected the Tabernacle by setting down its bases, inserting the frames, attaching the crossbars, and setting up the posts.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 18 Meaning

Exodus 40:18 describes the crucial moment of the Tabernacle's erection, signaling the completion of its physical structure according to God's precise instructions. Moses, as God's chosen architect and leader, faithfully executed the divine blueprint, assembling the foundational elements: the silver bases, the gold-covered acacia wood frames that formed the walls, the connecting bars that provided structural integrity, and the pillars for the inner veil and outer screen. This act established the central dwelling place for God amidst His people, marking the culmination of the construction phase and preparing for its consecration and divine indwelling.

Exodus 40 18 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the culmination of the entire book of Exodus. Following detailed instructions from God on Mount Sinai (chapters 25-31) and the people's skilled execution of those commands (chapters 35-39), this chapter describes the actual erection, consecration, and subsequent filling of the Tabernacle with the glory of the LORD. Verse 18 is part of the sequence of Moses assembling the sanctuary on the first day of the first month of the second year after Israel's departure from Egypt (Exod 40:17). The successful construction and assembly, despite the people's previous sin with the golden calf, signified God's willingness to dwell among His repentant and obedient people. Historically, the Tabernacle was Israel's central place of worship and the visible symbol of God's presence throughout their wilderness wanderings, signifying His portable presence and guidance before the permanent Temple was built in Jerusalem.

Exodus 40 18 Word analysis

• So: (וַיָּקֶם, wayyaqem) This connective indicates the direct consequence and action immediately following the setting of the date in the previous verse (40:17). It implies a smooth transition from preparation to execution.
• Moses: The specific individual, appointed and commanded by God (Exod 25:9) to oversee and, as depicted here, personally complete the Tabernacle's erection. His role highlights obedience and divine leadership.
• reared up / erected: (וַיָּקֶם, wayyaqem, from H6965 קוּם, qum, to rise, establish, set up). This verb signifies the act of making something stand upright, establishing it firmly. It denotes completion and stability for a large structure.
• the tabernacle: (הַמִּשְׁכָּן, hammishkan, from H4908 מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan, dwelling place, habitation). This refers to the portable sanctuary, distinct from other sacred structures, emphasizing its purpose as the dwelling place of God among His people.
• and fastened / laid its bases: (אֶת־אֲדָנָיו, et-adanav, its bases, from H134 אֶדֶן, eden, a base, socket). These were heavy silver sockets, functioning as foundational pedestals for the upright acacia wood frames (Exod 26:19). They represent stability and a firm grounding, made from the redemption money (Exod 38:27), signifying the Tabernacle rested on atonement.
• and set up / set up its frames: (אֶת־קְרָשָׁיו, et-qerashav, its frames, from H7175 קֶרֶשׁ, qeresh, a board, frame). These were upright boards of acacia wood overlaid with gold, forming the walls of the holy place and most holy place (Exod 26:15-18). They constitute the primary structural elements of the edifice.
• and put in / inserted its bars: (וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־בְּרִיחָיו, vayyiten et-beriḥav, and he put its bars, from H1280 בְּרִיחַ, beriyach, a bar, bolt). These were gold-overlaid acacia wood bars (five on each side) that passed through golden rings in the frames, binding them together (Exod 26:26-29). They represent the unity, strength, and security of the structure, vital for its portability and integrity.
• and reared up / erected its pillars: (וַיָּקֶם אֶת־עַמּוּדָיו, vayyaqem et-ammudav, and he erected its pillars, from H5982 עַמּוּד, ammud, a pillar, column). These specific pillars supported the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and likely also the curtain at the entrance (Exod 26:32, 26:37). They demarcated the sacred spaces within the Tabernacle, emphasizing the order and access prescribed by God.

Words-Group Analysis:

• Moses reared up the tabernacle: Highlights Moses' central and obedient role in fulfilling God's detailed command, not merely supervising but actively engaging in the significant work. This public act ensures accountability to the divine blueprint.
• fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars: This sequence describes the methodical, logical, and structurally sound construction process, from foundational elements (sockets) to vertical stability (frames), to horizontal cohesion (bars), and finally to internal divisions (pillars). It underscores the orderliness and precision with which God's dwelling was to be built. Every part had its specific place and function, reflecting divine design.

Exodus 40 18 Bonus section

• Divine Empowerment and Human Cooperation: This verse, like much of the Tabernacle narrative, showcases a profound interplay between divine instruction and human skilled labor. Moses and the artisans did not invent the structure but faithfully brought God's vision into tangible reality, emphasizing God's enablement for His work.
• Culmination of Exodus's Theme: Exodus begins with Israel in bondage, then details their miraculous deliverance, the giving of the Law, and culminates with God taking up residence among His freed people. The Tabernacle's erection signifies the establishment of God's presence as the central feature of their communal life.
• Precision and Sanctity: The very act of precisely assembling each component, as detailed in this verse, points to the sanctity of the structure and its intended purpose. God is a God of order and demands carefulness in matters pertaining to His presence.

Exodus 40 18 Commentary

Exodus 40:18 presents the decisive moment of the Tabernacle's structural completion, a testament to faithful obedience to God's detailed commands. Moses meticulously follows the divine blueprint, assembling the foundational silver bases, the sturdy gold-covered wooden frames that formed its walls, the interlocking bars that provided structural integrity, and the pillars that delineated its sacred spaces. This act signifies the successful execution of God's elaborate design, ensuring that His dwelling place was physically ready according to His exact specifications. The emphasis on each component, from base to pillar, underlines the divine expectation of thoroughness and the human responsibility to comply precisely. It highlights not just the construction but the establishment of a fixed, albeit portable, spiritual center for Israel, anticipating the glorious filling by God's presence, signifying that where God commands, He also empowers His servants to complete the task.