Exodus 40:1-16
The Lord commands Moses to set up the tabernacle, arrange its furnishings, anoint and consecrate everything, and ordain Aaron and His sons for priestly service.
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.
3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps.
5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.
7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein.
8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.
9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy.
10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy.
11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.
12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.
13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office.
14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them.
15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”
16 Moses did so. According to all that Yahweh commanded him, so he did.
The LORD commands Moses to set up the tabernacle, arrange its furnishings, anoint and consecrate everything, and ordain Aaron and his sons for priestly service.
To command Moses to set up the completed tabernacle on the first day of the first month, arrange the ark, veil, table, lampstand, incense altar, burnt-offering altar, basin, courtyard, and entrance screen, and consecrate the tabernacle, furnishings, altar, basin, Aaron, and his sons for holy priestly service.
Exodus 40:1-16 follows the completion and inspection of the tabernacle work in Exodus 39:32-43 and prepares for the actual erection of the tabernacle in Exodus 40:17-33 and the filling of the tabernacle by the LORD's glory in Exodus 40:34-38. The passage functions as the final command sequence before implementation. Earlier chapters gave instructions, artisans made the components, Moses inspected the finished work, and now the LORD gives the ordered installation and consecration commands that will turn completed craftsmanship into a holy dwelling system.
The tabernacle work has been completed and inspected by Moses, who blessed the people because everything was done as the LORD commanded. Now the LORD instructs Moses to set up and consecrate the completed sanctuary at the beginning of the new year.
The Tabernacle Erected and Filled with the Glory of the LORD
The LORD’s glory fills the completed tabernacle, confirming that the holy God will dwell among and guide His redeemed people through ordered worship, consecrated priesthood, and His visible presence.