Exodus 40 26

Exodus 40:26 kjv

And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:

Exodus 40:26 nkjv

He put the gold altar in the tabernacle of meeting in front of the veil;

Exodus 40:26 niv

Moses placed the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the curtain

Exodus 40:26 esv

He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil,

Exodus 40:26 nlt

He also placed the gold incense altar in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Place in front of the inner curtain.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 26 Meaning

Exodus chapter 40 verse 26 describes a precise and final act in the completion of the Tabernacle's setup: Moses placing the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting directly in front of the veil. This altar was not for animal sacrifice, but specifically for burning fragrant incense. Its placement emphasized its crucial role in worship, acting as the final point of offering before one metaphorically reached the very presence of God in the Holy of Holies, which was separated only by the veil. This meticulous arrangement underscores the divinely ordained order for approaching and fellowshipping with a holy God.

Exodus 40 26 Context

Exodus 40 concludes the book of Exodus, detailing the faithful execution of all divine commands regarding the construction and erection of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The entire chapter focuses on Moses meticulously assembling the Tent of Meeting item by item, exactly as the LORD had commanded. This culminates in the divine glory of the LORD filling the Tabernacle, signifying His dwelling among His people. Verse 26, specifically, falls within the detailed sequence of furnishing the inner sanctuary: after placing the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat (v. 21), and arranging the table of showbread (vv. 22-23) and the lampstand (vv. 24-25), Moses positions the golden altar. This chronological account highlights the divine order and Moses' perfect obedience in establishing the central place of worship for ancient Israel. Historically, the Tabernacle represented God's tangible presence with the Israelites during their wilderness journey, contrasting sharply with the pagan deities of surrounding cultures who did not physically indwell among their people nor provided specific, detailed instructions for their worship.

Exodus 40 26 Word analysis

• And he put (וְאֵת נָתַן - ve'et natan): "He put" refers to Moses, highlighting his personal, diligent execution of God's commands (cf. Exod 40:16). This emphasizes obedience as foundational to proper worship.
• the golden altar (מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב - mizbah hazahav): The term "golden" (zahav) emphasizes purity, divine royalty, and intrinsic worth. This altar, made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, was distinct from the bronze altar for burnt offerings outside the Holy Place (Exod 27:1-8). Its purpose was exclusively for burning "sweet incense" (Exod 30:7), symbolizing ascending prayers, worship, and intercession (Psa 141:2, Rev 5:8).
• in the tent of meeting (בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - b'ohel mo'ed): This signifies the sacred structure designed for God to "meet" with His people (Exod 25:22). It was not merely a building but the designated place for divine encounter and fellowship, acting as a portable sanctuary for the Israelites.
• before the veil (לִפְנֵי הַפָּרֹכֶת - lifney haparokhet): "Before" (lifney) means directly in front of. The "veil" (parokhet) was the thick curtain separating the Holy Place (where the golden altar, table, and lampstand were located) from the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant resided. This precise placement demonstrates the altar's profound spiritual significance – it stood at the very threshold of God's most sacred presence, serving as the closest point for offering incense before direct entry into the Most Holy Place, which was strictly forbidden except for the High Priest once a year. This also inherently underscores the limited access to God in the Old Covenant.

Exodus 40 26 Bonus section

• Orderly Worship: The meticulously prescribed arrangement of the Tabernacle and its elements, as seen in Exodus 40, emphasizes God's nature as a God of order and not of chaos. This specific sequence – from the inner Most Holy Place outward to the courtyard – reflects a divine design for how humanity was to approach Him.
• Typological Significance: The golden altar of incense, constantly emitting a sweet aroma before the Lord, is a rich type. It prefigures the ongoing intercessory work of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who continuously stands before God, pleading on behalf of His people (Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25). It also points to the constant prayers and praise that believers are called to offer, forming a spiritual fragrance acceptable to God (1 Pet 2:5).
• Distinction of Altars: The distinct function and placement of the golden altar from the bronze altar (located in the outer courtyard for animal sacrifices) highlighted the different aspects of atonement and worship. The bronze altar dealt with the removal of sin through blood, while the golden altar focused on communion, prayer, and sustained fellowship after sin had been dealt with. Both were indispensable for the spiritual life of Israel.

Exodus 40 26 Commentary

Exodus 40:26 serves as a climactic detail in the establishment of God's dwelling place among His people. The precise placement of the "golden altar" for incense, not just within the "tent of meeting" but critically "before the veil," signifies several profound theological truths. Firstly, the use of gold reflects the holiness and glory of God whom Israel was to approach. Secondly, this altar, exclusively for incense, highlighted a non-sacrificial, continuous aspect of worship: the rising smoke symbolized the prayers and communion of God's people ascending to Him (Psa 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). Its location at the very boundary of the Holy of Holies underscored the utmost importance of persistent prayer and worship as a means of fellowship with the Lord, even when direct access to His immediate presence was restricted. It symbolized the spiritual aroma of worship being ever before the Divine presence, even when only one High Priest could momentarily enter beyond the veil. This Old Testament truth foreshadowed the New Covenant, where, through Christ's sacrifice, the veil separating humanity from God's presence was torn (Matt 27:51), granting believers direct access (Heb 10:19-20).