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

EXODUS 40:21KJV
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Exodus 40:21 (KJV)

What does Exodus 40:21 mean?

Exodus 40:21 describes how Moses brought the ark of the testimony into the tabernacle, set up the veil to separate it, and covered the ark, following the specific instructions given by the LORD. This verse highlights the careful obedience to God’s commands in setting up the most sacred part of the tabernacle.

In this scene, Moses is carrying out the final steps of assembling the tabernacle after Israel’s time at Mount Sinai. The ark (a sacred chest) is placed inside the tent structure, and the veil is set up as a barrier, marking off the most holy place. The verse emphasizes Moses’ faithfulness in doing exactly as the LORD (the personal name for God, יְהוָה / YHWH) had commanded him, showing the importance of following God’s instructions in detail.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 40:21

  • "Ark" (אָרוֹן / aron, H727) refers to the sacred chest that held the testimony (the tablets of the covenant). Its placement in the tabernacle marks the most holy spot in Israel’s worship.
  • "Tabernacle" (מִשְׁכָּן / mishkan, H4908) means “dwelling place.” This word points to the tent as the place where God’s presence would dwell among the people.
  • "Vail" (פָּרֹכֶת / paroket, H6532) is the special curtain that separated the inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies) from the rest of the tabernacle. This veil was a physical and symbolic barrier, showing the separation between God’s holiness and the people.
  • "Covered" (סָכַךְ / sakak, H5526) means to shield or protect. Covering the ark with the veil emphasizes the sacredness and inaccessibility of God’s presence.

Why Exodus 40:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the ark was not just placed anywhere but was set apart behind a veil, showing the seriousness of approaching God’s presence.
  • The careful mention that Moses did everything “as the LORD commanded” underlines the importance of obedience and attention to God’s instructions in worship.
  • Exodus 40:21 connects to the larger story of Exodus by showing the completion of the tabernacle, which is a turning point where God’s presence would now dwell among the people in a visible, structured way.