Exodus 40:3
Exodus 40:3 in Multiple Translations
Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.
And inside it put the ark of the law, hanging the veil before it.
Place the Ark of the Testimony inside it. Make sure the Ark is behind the veil.
And thou shalt put therein the Arke of the Testimonie, and couer the Arke with the vaile.
and hast set there the ark of the testimony, and hast covered over the ark with the vail,
You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
And thou shalt put in it the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
And shalt put the ark in it, and shalt let down the veil before it:
Put inside it the sacred chest that contains the stone slabs on which are engraved the Ten Commandments, and hang the curtain in front of it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 40:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 40:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שַׂמְתָּ֣
שָׁ֔ם
אֵ֖ת
אֲר֣וֹן
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
וְ/סַכֹּתָ֥
עַל
הָ/אָרֹ֖ן
אֶת
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
וְ/שַׂמְתָּ֣
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֲר֣וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
ark
N-cs
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
ʻêdûwth
H5715
testimony
Art | N-fs
וְ/סַכֹּתָ֥
çâkak
H5526
to fence
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָ/אָרֹ֖ן
ʼârôwn
H727
ark
Art | N-cs
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
pôreketh
H6532
curtain
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 40:3
וְ/שַׂמְתָּ֣
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
שָׁ֔ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֲר֣וֹן
ʼârôwn
H727
"ark"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.
Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.
הָ/עֵד֑וּת
ʻêdûwth
H5715
"testimony"
Art | N-fs
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Definition: testimony
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: testimony, witness. See also: Exodus 16:34; Numbers 17:19; Psalms 19:8.
וְ/סַכֹּתָ֥
çâkak
H5526
"to fence"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
To weave means to entwine or fence in, implying protection, as seen in the Bible where it means to cover or defend something.
Definition: (Qal) to hedge, fence about, shut in
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: cover, defence, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up. See also: Exodus 25:20; Job 40:22; Psalms 5:12.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָרֹ֖ן
ʼârôwn
H727
"ark"
Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.
Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
pôreketh
H6532
"curtain"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to a curtain or veil, like a screen that separates one area from another. In the Bible, it is used to describe the veil in the Temple that separated the holy place from the most holy place.
Definition: curtain, veil
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: vail. See also: Exodus 26:31; Exodus 40:22; 2 Chronicles 3:14.
Study Notes — Exodus 40:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Setting Up the Tabernacle
1Then the LORD said to Moses,
2“On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.
3Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.
4Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps. 5Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 35:12 | the ark with its poles and mercy seat, and the veil to shield it; |
| 2 | Numbers 4:5 | Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. |
| 3 | Revelation 11:19 | Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. |
| 4 | Exodus 25:22 | And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites. |
| 5 | Exodus 40:20–21 | Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark. Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and shielded off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him. |
| 6 | Leviticus 16:14 | And he is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the east side of the mercy seat; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat. |
| 7 | Exodus 36:35–36 | Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. He also made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold, along with gold hooks; and he cast four silver bases for the posts. |
| 8 | Exodus 26:33–34 | And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. |
| 9 | Exodus 25:10 | And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. |
| 10 | Exodus 26:31 | Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. |
Exodus 40:3 Summary
This verse is talking about putting the ark of the Testimony, which is like a special box that holds God's commands, in the tabernacle, a special tent where God's people worshiped. The ark was then covered with a veil to separate it from the rest of the tent, showing how special and holy it was. This is like how we should respect and honor God's presence in our lives, as mentioned in Psalm 95:6. By remembering the importance of the ark, we can learn to reverence and worship God in our own lives, just as the Israelites did in Exodus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ark of the Testimony in Exodus 40:3?
The ark of the Testimony represents God's presence among His people, as seen in Exodus 25:22, and is a symbol of His covenant with them, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 31:26.
Why was the ark screened off with a veil?
The veil separated the holy place from the most holy place, where the ark was kept, to emphasize the sacredness of God's presence, as described in Exodus 26:33 and Hebrews 9:3.
Is the ark of the Testimony still important for believers today?
While the physical ark is no longer present, the principles it represents, such as God's presence and covenant, are still relevant for believers today, as seen in Revelation 11:19, which mentions the ark in heaven.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Exodus?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of God's redemption of the Israelites and the establishment of the tabernacle as a place of worship, as outlined in Exodus 25:8 and Hebrews 8:5.
Reflection Questions
- What does the ark of the Testimony represent in my own life, and how can I honor God's presence in my daily walk?
- In what ways can I 'screen off' areas of my life to protect the sacredness of my relationship with God, just as the veil protected the ark?
- How can I apply the principles of the covenant represented by the ark to my own relationships and community?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of reverence and respect in my worship and daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 40:3
And thou shall put therein the ark of the testimony,.... The ark or chest where the law was, a testimony of the divine will, and which was to be put into the most holy place of the tabernacle: and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 40:3
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. The ark of the testimony - (see the note at Exodus 25:10).
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 40:3
(3) Thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony.—The most precious of the objects which the tabernacle was to contain was to be placed in it; first. Then immediately it was to be covered up with the vail.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 40:3
3. See Exodus 26:33.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 40:3
THE ORDER TO SET UP THE , Exodus 40:1-16. The formality of this command to erect the sanctuary involves an incidental repetition of what has already been described.
Sermons on Exodus 40:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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On the Covering of the Holy Vessels Numbers 4 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the significance of the coverings of the holy vessels in Numbers 4, emphasizing how each item reflects different aspects of Christ's nature and ministry. |
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The Ark of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the story of David and the ark of God, highlighting the consequences of mishandling holy things, the importance of obedience over sacrifice, and the need fo |
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The Ark of His Covenant by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the significance of the Ark of the Covenant, illustrating how it symbolizes God's unchanging promises and presence among His people. He explains that while |
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The Ark of the Covenant by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, highlighting how it represents Christ as the Ark of redemption, the embodiment of the Law, a |
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What Is Your Life? by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the crucifixion of Jesus and the impact it had on the people who witnessed it. He emphasizes the importance of using our time wisely and not |
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(Hebrews - Part 25): The Holy of Holies by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker expresses his commitment to preaching about God and the Holy Trinity. He emphasizes that God reveals Himself through nature and the scriptures, using va |
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Worship (Part 1 of 3) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker begins by dividing the sermon into three parts, with the promise of a more engaging sermon in the following weeks. He then reads from Exodus 24, emphasi |