Exodus 40 35

Exodus 40:35 kjv

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35 nkjv

And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35 niv

Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35 esv

And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35 nlt

Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 35 Meaning

Exodus 40:35 powerfully describes the completion and divine inauguration of the Tabernacle. It states that Moses, despite his privileged relationship with God, was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because God's glorious presence, symbolized by the cloud, had completely filled the tabernacle. This signifies God's complete acceptance and immediate habitation of the dwelling place His people built, yet it also underscores His overwhelming holiness which rendered direct human entry impossible at that moment.

Exodus 40 35 Context

Exodus 40:35 stands as the climax of the book of Exodus. Chapters 35-40 meticulously detail the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, adhering precisely to the divine blueprint given in previous chapters (Exo 25-31). This verse specifically marks the completion of the Tabernacle's erection on the first day of the first month of the second year after the Israelites' departure from Egypt. Following its full assembly, God's immediate response is to descend in a manifest display of His glory, thereby signifying His approval and dwelling presence. This event serves as the inauguration of God's dwelling place among His people, fulfilling His command in Exo 25:8, "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." The inability of Moses to enter is not a failure, but a demonstration of God's transcendent holiness and the sheer intensity of His glory, marking the Tabernacle as an extraordinary, sacred space imbued with divine presence, unlike any human-made structure.

Exodus 40 35 Word analysis

• וּמֹשֶׁה (u-Mosheh): "And Moses". The conjunction "and" links this action to the previous events of the Tabernacle's completion and erection. Moses, the divinely chosen leader, mediator, and one who spoke with God face-to-face (Exo 33:11), is now rendered unable to approach due to the sheer intensity of the divine presence. This highlights God's absolute holiness above even His closest servants.
• לֹא יָכֹל (lo yakhol): "not able". The negative particle לֹא (lo) emphatically denies the ability. יָכֹל (yakhol), from the root יָכֹל (to be able, to prevail), here conveys the impossibility of entrance. This inability is not a punishment or a defect in Moses, but an inherent consequence of confronting unmediated, overwhelming divine holiness.
• לָבֹא (lavo): "to enter". The infinitive describes the act that was impossible. It suggests physical access to the newly completed divine dwelling.
• אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (el-ohel mo'ed): "into the Tent of Meeting". אֹהֶל (ohel) means "tent", and מוֹעֵד (mo'ed) signifies "appointed time," "appointed place," or "assembly." Thus, it is the designated place for God to "meet" with His people, and where His presence would be specifically revealed.
• כִּי־שָׁכַן (ki-shachan): "because abode". כִּי (ki) acts as a causal conjunction, explaining why Moses could not enter. שָׁכַן (shachan) means "to dwell, to settle, to reside." This root is famously linked to the rabbinic term Shekinah, referring to God's manifest presence. Its use emphasizes God's settled, deliberate presence on the Tabernacle, not just a passing visit.
• עָלָיו (alav): "thereon" or "upon it". Refers to the Tent of Meeting, specifically the external structure where the cloud settled.
• וּכְבוֹד יְהוָה (u-k'vod YHWH): "and the glory of the LORD". כָּבוֹד (kavod) means "glory," also implying "weight," "heaviness," "honor," or "splendor." It is not merely a light, but the visible, palpable, overwhelming manifestation of God's divine essence, power, and majesty. יְהוָה (YHWH), the tetragrammaton, is the covenant name of God, emphasizing that this is the specific God of Israel revealing Himself.
• מָלֵא (male): "filled". The verb מָלֵא (to be full, to fill) is in the perfect tense, indicating a complete and pervasive filling. The Tabernacle wasn't just partly filled; it was full to capacity with God's glory.
• אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּן (et-ha-mishkan): "the tabernacle". מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) also comes from the root שָׁכַן (shachan), meaning "dwelling place." While "Tent of Meeting" emphasizes its function, "Tabernacle" emphasizes its identity as God's specific dwelling place on Earth. The use of both "Tent of Meeting" and "Tabernacle" interchangeably for the structure emphasizes both its purpose and its nature.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting": This highlights a significant limitation. Even the most privileged prophet, Moses, could not freely enter God's manifest presence. It emphasizes that proximity to God is not merely physical but depends on His allowance and overwhelming holiness.
• "because the cloud abode thereon": The cloud (Heb. עָנָן, anan) is a recurrent symbol of God's visible presence and guidance (Exo 13:21-22). Its dwelling on the Tabernacle signals God's immediate and persistent habitation. This "abiding" is more than temporary, suggesting a settled presence.
• "and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle": This is the core reason for Moses' inability to enter. The "glory of the LORD" (כְּבוֹד יְהוָה) represents God's active, awe-inspiring, and consuming majesty. The verb "filled" (מָלֵא) signifies the total inundation of the sacred space, implying an intensity that could not be humanly withstood without divine accommodation. The Tabernacle, created for God's dwelling, was now truly His dwelling, demonstrating the fulfillment of His promises and the reality of His being with His people in an unprecedented way.

Exodus 40 35 Bonus section

The profound reality of the "cloud" and "glory" filling the Tabernacle not only affirmed God's acceptance but also established a visual paradox. The cloud was simultaneously the vehicle of God's presence, signifying His transcendence, and the veil over His unapproachable glory, signifying His hiddenness from sinful human eyes. While Moses could ascend Mount Sinai and speak with God directly (Exo 34:29-30), the consecrated dwelling place of God's specific presence was now even more restricted, emphasizing the immense sanctity of the space where God chose to continually dwell. This dynamic presence of the LORD, indicated by the cloud and glory, would thenceforth serve as Israel's divine GPS, guiding them through the wilderness journey. When the cloud lifted, they moved; when it settled, they encamped (Num 9:17-23). Thus, the Tabernacle became the literal, visible center of their spiritual, physical, and national existence, all because of the glory of the LORD that resided within and upon it.

Exodus 40 35 Commentary

Exodus 40:35 concludes the construction narrative of the Tabernacle with an awe-inspiring display of divine affirmation. The verse succinctly captures the theological reality that the living God has indeed come to dwell among His people. Moses' inability to enter, rather than being a sign of divine disapproval, powerfully underscores the profound holiness of God. The overwhelming "glory of the LORD" (כְּבוֹד יְהוָה) that completely filled the Tabernacle reveals a God who is both immanent (dwelling among them) and transcendent (Whose glory is too great for direct human encounter without special provision).

This moment marks a pivotal point in salvation history. It signals the successful establishment of God's earthly dwelling place, serving as a constant visible reminder of His presence, protection, and faithfulness to the covenant with Israel. Furthermore, it foreshadows the need for mediation and atonement, which will be elaborated in Leviticus, as direct access to such holiness is impossible for fallen humanity. Ultimately, it points forward to the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14), the True Tabernacle, in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily and through whom humanity can finally draw near to God with boldness, having a new and living way (Heb 10:19-20). The impenetrable Tabernacle is replaced by Christ, whose very being bridges the chasm created by God's holiness and human sin.