Exodus 40 3

Exodus 40:3 kjv

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

Exodus 40:3 nkjv

You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil.

Exodus 40:3 niv

Place the ark of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain.

Exodus 40:3 esv

And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.

Exodus 40:3 nlt

Place the Ark of the Covenant inside, and install the inner curtain to enclose the Ark within the Most Holy Place.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 3 Meaning

Exodus 40:3 instructs Moses to place the Ark of the Testimony within the Tabernacle's innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, and immediately shield it from view with the specially woven veil. This command signifies the establishment of God's central dwelling among His people, emphasizing both His imminent presence (in the Ark) and His profound holiness and inaccessibility (behind the veil), which requires separation from common human access.

Exodus 40 3 Context

Exodus 40 culminates the lengthy section detailing the Tabernacle's construction, following chapters 25-31 outlining the divine instructions and chapters 35-39 describing its meticulous execution. Verses 1-15 of chapter 40 give Moses precise instructions for the orderly erection of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including their specific placement. This verse (40:3) zeroes in on the most critical component: setting up the Ark within the Holy of Holies and screening it with the veil. The immediate context shows Israel's full obedience to God's detailed blueprints. Historically, the Tabernacle symbolized God's promise to dwell among His people, fulfilling a key aspect of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. Its construction after the Golden Calf incident also signified reconciliation and a restored covenant relationship, allowing God's holy presence to safely reside within a consecrated community.

Exodus 40 3 Word analysis

• You shall put: A direct, imperative command from God to Moses, emphasizing divine authority and the necessity of precise obedience. It conveys that this is a critical and specific task in the Tabernacle's setup.

• there: Refers to the innermost and most sacred compartment of the Tabernacle, known as the Most Holy Place (Qodesh HaQodeshim), an area distinct and separate from the outer Holy Place.

• the ark: Hebrew: אָרוֹן (aron). Not just any chest, but the sacred Ark of the Covenant, central to Israelite worship. It symbolized God's throne, His presence, and His covenant with His people, signifying divine authority and faithfulness.

• of the testimony: Hebrew: הָעֵדֻת (ha'edut). This specifies the Ark's primary contents and purpose. "The testimony" refers specifically to the two tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which served as the evidence and perpetual reminder of God's covenant and law with Israel (Ex 25:16).

• and you shall screen: Hebrew: וְסַכֹּתָ (v'sakota), derived from the root סכך (sakak), meaning "to cover," "to screen," "to overshadow," or "to separate." This action implies protecting the sacred from common view, reinforcing holiness, and preventing unauthorized access or defilement that could result in death.

• the ark: Repetition of "the ark" emphasizes that this specific sacred object, once placed, must immediately be veiled, highlighting its ultimate holiness and restricted access.

• with the veil: Hebrew: הַפָּרֹכֶת (haParochet). This was the thick, embroidered curtain that served as the primary divider between the Holy Place (accessible to priests daily) and the Most Holy Place (accessible only to the High Priest, once a year). It profoundly symbolized the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, representing God's transcendent holiness and the barriers sin created.

• Words-group analysis:

  • The ark of the testimony: This phrase highlights the Ark's dual nature as God's dwelling place (His "footstool" or throne) and the repository of His revealed law. It points to God's covenant relationship with Israel, based on His holy standards.
  • Screen the ark with the veil: This command defines the profound separation required between God's manifest presence and humanity. The action of screening emphasizes the awe, reverence, and distance necessary when approaching divine holiness, which could not be directly beheld by ordinary individuals without dire consequences. It set apart the Most Holy Place as distinct and inviolable, foreshadowing future divine revelations.

Exodus 40 3 Bonus section

The strict command to immediately veil the Ark after its placement was not merely for ritualistic separation but served as a protective measure, guarding Israel from accidental sin and God's consuming holiness. Unauthorized or careless exposure to the Ark or its sacred space had historically resulted in divine judgment, as seen later with Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-7) or the men of Beth-shemesh (1 Sam 6:19-20). The architectural design of the Tabernacle, including this veil, was a theological teaching tool, constantly impressing upon the Israelites the nature of God's utter transcendence and unique holiness compared to the accessible and often visible idols of surrounding pagan nations. Furthermore, the systematic process of constructing and then setting up the Tabernacle demonstrated a transition from divine revelation (at Sinai) to human obedience and divine indwelling, fulfilling God's promise to "dwell among them" (Ex 25:8). This final step ensured that the focal point of God's covenant was positioned correctly within its sacred boundaries, initiating the formal functioning of the priesthood and sacrificial system designed to mediate God's presence among an imperfect people.

Exodus 40 3 Commentary

Exodus 40:3 describes a pivotal moment in the Tabernacle's consecration, marking the completion of God's prescribed dwelling place. Placing the Ark, the supreme symbol of God's presence and covenant, within the Holy of Holies established the epicentre of Israel's worship and divine communication. The immediate command to "screen the ark with the veil" profoundly underscores God's inapproachable holiness and humanity's inherent separation from Him due to sin. This veil was not merely a physical barrier but a powerful theological statement, symbolizing that direct, unmediated access to God was not possible under the Old Covenant. It taught Israel dependence on priestly mediation and reinforced the awesome purity of Yahweh. This entire act culminated a specific phase in Israel's history, moving them from a nomadic people receiving law to a nation with God physically dwelling in their midst, albeit with necessary sacred boundaries. The precise adherence to the divine blueprint showcased Israel's renewed obedience and set the stage for the formal commencement of the Tabernacle service and sacrificial system detailed in Leviticus. This Tabernacle, centered on the veiled Ark, was a shadow and type, prefiguring the ultimate and unhindered access to God made possible through Christ, whose body, upon His death, spiritually tore the veil of separation, ushering in the new and living way.