Exodus 40 33

Exodus 40:33 kjv

And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

Exodus 40:33 nkjv

And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

Exodus 40:33 niv

Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

Exodus 40:33 esv

And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

Exodus 40:33 nlt

Then he hung the curtains forming the courtyard around the Tabernacle and the altar. And he set up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard. So at last Moses finished the work.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 33 Meaning

This verse signifies the final and complete construction of the outer components of the Tabernacle—specifically the court, its surrounding perimeter, the altar within it, and the screen for the court gate. It culminates by declaring that Moses had thus entirely finished all the work commanded by God for the Tabernacle's erection. This moment marks the physical readiness of God's dwelling place among His people.

Exodus 40 33 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the culmination of the entire Tabernacle narrative in the Pentateuch. Having meticulously received detailed instructions from God (chapters 25-31) and diligently constructed all its components (chapters 35-39), Moses now carries out the final act of erecting the entire structure. The verses preceding this verse (40:1-32) describe Moses assembling the various elements, from the Tent of Meeting itself to the ark, table, lampstand, altars, and laver. Verse 33 specifically details the erection of the outer court and its gate screen, which were the final pieces to physically complete the divinely appointed portable sanctuary. Historically, this event signifies a pivotal moment for Israel; after being delivered from Egypt and receiving the Law at Sinai, they now had a physical symbol of God's presence residing among them, serving as the center for their worship, atonement, and continued relationship with the Most High. The structure stood as a distinct marker against surrounding polytheistic cultures that depicted their deities within specific localized temples, instead revealing God's immanent yet transcendent nature through His direct, instructed dwelling.

Exodus 40 33 Word analysis

• He also erected (וַיָּקֶם - vayyakem): From the Hebrew root ק-ו-ם (QUM), meaning "to rise," "to stand," "to establish," or "to erect." This active verb emphasizes a decisive, intentional act of putting something into its standing, established position. It underscores the purposeful completion of a construction.
• the court (אֶת הֶחָצֵר - et hechatsér): Chater (חָצֵר) refers to an "enclosure," "courtyard," or "pen." In the context of the Tabernacle, it specifically denotes the large, open space surrounding the Tent of Meeting, serving as a boundary between the sacred precinct and the common camp. It was made of linen hangings supported by pillars (Exod 27:9-19).
• all around (סָבִיב סָבִיב - saviv saviv): The repetition of saviv (סָבִיב), meaning "around" or "round about," emphatically signifies that the court completely enclosed the inner sanctuary from all sides, creating a perfect, protective, and defining perimeter. This emphasizes the distinction and separation of the sacred space.
• the tabernacle (אֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן - et hammishkan): Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן) means "dwelling place," derived from שָׁכַן (SHAKHAN), "to dwell" or "to settle." This term is central to the Tabernacle's purpose: it was the literal "dwelling" where God would manifest His presence among His people.
• and the altar (וְאֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ve'et hammizbeach): Mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) is an "altar," from the root זָבַח (ZABAH), "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice." This specific altar, the brazen altar of burnt offering, stood in the court. It was the primary place for sin offerings and fellowships offerings, making it central to atonement and communal worship, highlighting the necessity of sacrifice for communion with a holy God.
• and set up (וַיָּשֶׂם - vayyasem): From the root ש-ו-ם (SUM), meaning "to put," "to place," or "to appoint." Similar to "erected," it reinforces the deliberate and precise placement of the screen, indicating purposeful action in completing the arrangement.
• the screen (אֶת מָסַךְ - et masakh): Masakh (מָסַךְ) refers to a "screen," "curtain," or "veil." This particular screen, intricately woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and fine twisted linen (Exod 38:18), served as the entrance to the outer court. It marked the public entry point into the sacred area, differentiating it from the unholy surroundings. Its nature as a barrier points to the controlled access to God's presence.
• for the gate (לְשַׁעַר - lesha'ar): Sha'ar (שַׁעַר) means "gate" or "doorway." This identifies the specific location of the screen—the designated entrance to the court, controlling movement into and out of the holy space.
• of the court (הֶחָצֵר - hechatsér): Reiterates that this gate belongs to the established courtyard, completing its defined boundaries.
• So Moses finished (וַיְכַל מֹשֶׁה - vaykhal Mosheh): Kaláh (כָּלָה) means "to complete," "to finish," "to bring to an end," or "to perfect." This phrase is pivotal, mirroring God's completion of creation (Gen 2:1-2). It signifies the successful and full execution of the immense task assigned to Moses, underscoring his unwavering obedience and meticulousness in following all divine instructions.
• the work (הַמְּלָאכָה - hammela'akhah): Mela'akhah (מְלָאכָה) encompasses "work," "labor," "service," or "occupation." Here, it refers specifically to the entire divinely appointed construction project of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings. Its completion indicates the faithfulness of human hands executing a divine blueprint.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• He also erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar: This phrase establishes the final structural assembly of the entire Tabernacle complex. It positions the "court" as the outermost boundary, signifying a transition from the common to the sacred. The explicit mention of the "altar" within the court emphasizes its functional purpose as the central place of sacrifice for access to God's presence, prior to entering the Tabernacle itself. The meticulous nature of "all around" highlights completeness and adherence to specific design.
• and set up the screen for the gate of the court: This details the specific completion of the court's entry point. The "screen" served as the accessible but distinguishing threshold, hinting at the concept of controlled access to the sacred, later fulfilled in Christ who is the "door" (John 10:9) and the "new and living way" (Heb 10:20) into God's presence.
• So Moses finished the work: This concluding statement encapsulates the monumental achievement. It's a declaration of finality and fulfillment. The consistent reiteration throughout Exodus of "as the LORD commanded Moses, so he did" finds its ultimate satisfaction here. This phrase sets the stage for the next divine action, which is God's glory filling the completed dwelling, proving His acceptance and approval of the completed structure.

Exodus 40 33 Bonus section

The repetitive phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses, so he did" (or similar formulations like Exod 39:32, 42; 40:16) serves as a literary inclusio or framework around the Tabernacle instructions and construction narrative (Exod 25-40). Exodus 40:33, with its declaration of Moses having "finished the work," stands as the emphatic concluding statement within this framework, providing ultimate narrative closure to God's directives and Israel's obedience. This sets up the following verses (Exod 40:34-38), where the physical structure, now fully erected and complete, is filled with the glory of God, affirming divine acceptance and transforming the crafted object into a consecrated dwelling place. The order of building and then divine filling is significant, demonstrating that human labor in obedience prepares the way for God's manifest presence.

Exodus 40 33 Commentary

Exodus 40:33 is the grand culmination of the Tabernacle's construction, explicitly stating that Moses finished the work. This final act of erecting the court, with its encompassing fence and defining entrance screen, represents the successful completion of the earthly dwelling place for the Most High. The meticulous detail required for each component underscores divine holiness and the precision necessary for proper worship. The inclusion of the altar within this final step emphasizes that even before God's glory filled the structure, the means for atonement and communion were physically present and prepared. Moses' finishing of "the work" signifies not merely the completion of a building project, but the perfect execution of a divine blueprint, illustrating the vital theme of obedient human endeavor bringing about divine purposes. This verse lays the physical foundation for the unfolding narrative of God's direct, palpable presence (shekinah glory) among His people, readying them for continued journeying under His guidance and ongoing covenant relationship.