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Book of Exodus - Chapter 40 - Verse 21

40:21
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Meaning

When the verse states, "And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses," it is referring to a significant event in the history of the Israelites detailed in the book of Exodus. The ark of the testimony, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a sacred container that held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. The tabernacle was a portable sanctuary that the Israelites carried with them during their journey in the wilderness. The veil of the covering served as a barrier between the Holy of Holies, where the ark was placed, and the rest of the tabernacle. By following the Lord's commandments to the letter, the Israelites demonstrated their obedience and reverence for God. This verse highlights the importance of following divine instructions and the significance of the ark as a symbol of God's presence among his people.

Theological Overview

In this verse, we see the meticulous obedience of Moses to the specific instructions given by the Lord for the setting up of the tabernacle. The ark of the testimony was a central piece of furniture in the tabernacle, representing God's presence among His people. The veil of the covering served as a divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, where the ark was located, symbolizing the separation between God and man due to sin. The ark itself was a symbol of the covenant between God and His people, containing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. This act of setting up the veil and covering the ark highlights the reverence and holiness with which Moses and the Israelites treated the tabernacle and its contents, following the divine instructions given to them. Through this act of obedience, they demonstrated their commitment to honoring God and upholding the covenant relationship they had with Him.

American Standard Version

and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
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