And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.

EXODUS 40:22KJV
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Exodus 40:22 (KJV)

What does Exodus 40:22 mean?

Exodus 40:22 describes how Moses placed the table inside the tent of meeting, positioning it on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the curtain that separated the most holy place. This verse gives a specific detail about the arrangement of the sacred furniture as the tabernacle was being set up.

In this passage, Moses is following God’s instructions for assembling the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for Israel’s worship during their journey through the wilderness. The “table” refers to the table for the bread of the Presence, and the “vail” is the curtain that divided the holy place from the most holy place. The verse highlights the careful, ordered way the tabernacle was arranged, with each item placed exactly as directed.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 40:22

  • “Table” (שֻׁלְחָן, shulchan) refers to the special table that held the bread of the Presence, a key part of Israel’s worship. Its placement shows its importance and role in the rituals.
  • “Tent” (אֹהֶל, ohel) and “tabernacle” (מִשְׁכָּן, mishkan) are both used, but “tent” often points to the outer structure, while “tabernacle” can refer to the whole sanctuary or the inner area. This helps clarify exactly where the table was set.
  • “Without” (מִחוּץ, mikhutz) means “outside,” making it clear the table was not behind the inner curtain (the “vail,” פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet), but in the main area where priests served.
  • “Northward” (צָפוֹן, tzafon) gives a precise direction, showing the table was on the north side, which was opposite the lampstand on the south, reflecting a deliberate, balanced layout.

Why Exodus 40:22 matters

  • This verse clears up where the table for the bread of the Presence was placed, showing it was accessible to the priests but not hidden in the most holy place.
  • The careful placement of each item in the tabernacle emphasizes the order and intentionality of Israel’s worship, reflecting God’s specific instructions.
  • Understanding the arrangement of the tabernacle furniture helps readers picture the setting for many later events in Israel’s worship life, making the rituals and stories more concrete.

Where else these words appear

“vail” Hebrew H6532 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 26:31 And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
  • Exodus 38:27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
  • Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

“side” Hebrew H3409 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
  • Exodus 32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
  • Judges 3:16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

“table” Hebrew H7979 · used in 62 verses

  • Exodus 25:23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
  • 1 Samuel 20:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
  • Job 36:16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

“tabernacle” Hebrew H4908 · used in 129 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • Exodus 40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
  • Numbers 16:9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?