Exodus 40

All 38 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

Read Exodus 40 in the Bible reader, with audio →

1. 1The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
2. 2"On the 1st day of the 1st month, you are to set up the tabernacle — the Tent of Meeting.
3. 3And you shall place the ark of the testimony inside it, and cover the ark with the veil.
4. 4Bring in the table and arrange everything on it properly. Then bring in the lampstand and light its lamps.
5. 5Set the golden altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony, and hang the curtain across the entrance to the tabernacle.
6. 6Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
7. 7Set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and fill it with water.
8. 8Set up the courtyard walls around the whole area, and hang the curtain at the courtyard gate.
9. 9Then take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it. Consecrate it and all its vessels, and it will be holy.
10. 10Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils. Set the altar apart as holy, and it will become most holy.
11. 11Anoint the basin and its stand, and set them apart as holy.
12. 12Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.
13. 13Dress Aaron in the holy garments, anoint him, and set him apart as holy so he can serve me as priest.
14. 14Bring his sons forward and dress them in their tunics.
15. 15Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they too can serve me as priests. This anointing will establish an everlasting priesthood for their descendants throughout every generation."
16. 16Moses did everything exactly as the LORD commanded him.
17. 17On the 1st day of the 1st month of the 2nd year, the tabernacle was set up.
18. 18Moses raised the tabernacle by laying its bases, setting up its frames, inserting its crossbars, and raising its pillars.
19. 19He spread the tent covering over the tabernacle and placed the outer roof on top of it, just as the LORD had commanded him.
20. 20He took the testimony and placed it inside the ark, attached the staves to the ark, and set the mercy seat on top of the ark.
21. 21He brought the ark into the tabernacle, set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony, as the LORD commanded Moses.
22. 22He placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.
23. 23He arranged the bread on it in the LORD's presence, just as the LORD had commanded him.
24. 24He placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.
25. 25He lit the lamps before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.
26. 26He placed the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting in front of the veil.
27. 27He burned fragrant incense on it, just as the LORD had commanded him.
28. 28He hung the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
29. 29He set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and offered burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, just as the LORD had commanded him.
30. 30He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and filled it with water for washing.
31. 31Moses, Aaron, and Aaron's sons washed their hands and feet there.
32. 32Whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, they washed — just as the LORD had commanded Moses.
33. 33He set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung the curtain at the courtyard gate. And with that, Moses finished the work.
34. 34Then a cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35. 35Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36. 36Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would break camp and move on.
37. 37But if the cloud didn't lift, they stayed put until the day it did.
38. 38For the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, visible to all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.