Exodus 40:21
New International Version
Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain and shielded the ark of the covenant law, as the LORD commanded him.

New Living Translation
Then he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Tabernacle and hung the inner curtain to shield it from view, just as the LORD had commanded him.

English 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 the LORD had commanded Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the ark of the Testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

New American Standard Bible
He then brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil for the covering, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1995
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

NASB 1977
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle and placed the veil of the screen and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

Amplified Bible
Moses brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up a veil (partition) for the screen (curtain), and screened off the ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Christian Standard Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the curtain for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, put up the veil for the screen, and screened off the ark of the testimony, just as the LORD had commanded 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.

Contemporary English Version
The chest was brought into the tent and set behind the curtain in the most holy place. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses.

English Revised 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 the LORD commanded Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he brought the ark into the tent and hung the canopy over it to mark off where the ark was. Moses followed the LORD's instructions.

Good News Translation
Then he put the Box in the Tent and hung up the curtain. In this way he screened off the Covenant Box, just as the LORD had commanded.

International Standard Version
He brought the ark into the tent, set up the curtain, and screened off the Ark of the Testimony, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung the protecting curtain, and shielded the ark of the testimony from view, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

New Heart English Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the curtain as the screen, and concealed the ark of the testimony, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and brings the Ark into the Dwelling Place, and places the veil of the covering, and covers over the Ark of the Testimony, as YHWH has commanded Moses.

Young's Literal Translation
and bringeth in the ark unto the tabernacle, and placeth the vail of the covering, and covereth over the ark of the testimony, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will bring the ark to the dwelling and will put up the vail of the covering, and he will cover over the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it to fulfil the commandment of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had brought the ark into the tabernacle, he drew the veil before it, in order to fulfill the commandment of the Lord.

New American Bible
He brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the curtain veil, thus screening off the ark of the covenant, as the LORD had commanded him.

New Revised Standard Version
and he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the curtain for screening, and screened the ark of the covenant; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the covering of the door and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he brought the Ark to the Tabernacle and he took the face of the door of the veil and covered over the Ark of the Testimony as LORD JEHOVAH commanded Moshe.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and put on it the covering of the veil, and covered the ark of the testimony, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Setting Up the Tabernacle
20Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark. 21Then 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. 22Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:3-5
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, / containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. / Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

1 Kings 8:6-9
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. ...

2 Chronicles 5:7-10
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. / For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. / The poles of the ark extended far enough that their ends were visible from in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. ...

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

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.

1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

Psalm 99:1
The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!

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, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Exodus 25:21-22
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / 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.

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.

Numbers 7:89
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.

1 Chronicles 13:6
David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.

1 Chronicles 15:1-3
David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. / Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.” / And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

he brought

Exodus 40:3
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

Exodus 26:33
And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

Exodus 35:12
The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

and covered

Hebrews 10:19,20
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, …

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Ark Commanded Covered Covereth Covering Curtain Hanging House Hung Moses Placeth Screen Screened Shielded Shielding Tabernacle Testimony Vail Veil
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Ark Commanded Covered Covereth Covering Curtain Hanging House Hung Moses Placeth Screen Screened Shielded Shielding Tabernacle Testimony Vail Veil
Exodus 40
1. The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13. Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16. Moses performs all things accordingly
34. A cloud covers the tabernacle














Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle
This phrase marks a significant moment in the narrative of Exodus, as the Ark of the Covenant is placed within the tabernacle. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "אֲרוֹן" (aron), which signifies a chest or box, but in this context, it is the sacred chest that holds the tablets of the covenant. The act of bringing the ark into the tabernacle symbolizes the presence of God dwelling among His people. Historically, the tabernacle served as a portable earthly dwelling place for the divine presence, emphasizing God's desire to be with His people during their journey through the wilderness.

and hung the veil of the curtain
The "veil" or "פָּרֹכֶת" (paroket) in Hebrew, was a richly embroidered curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the tabernacle. This veil represents the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament. The act of hanging the veil signifies the establishment of a sacred boundary, underscoring the holiness of God and the need for reverence and purity when approaching Him.

and he shielded the Ark of the Testimony
The phrase "shielded the Ark of the Testimony" indicates the protective and reverent measures taken to honor the Ark. The "Ark of the Testimony" refers to the ark containing the tablets of the covenant, which are the testimony of God's law given to Moses. The Hebrew word for "testimony" is "עֵדוּת" (edut), which conveys the idea of a witness or evidence. This highlights the Ark's role as a tangible witness to the covenant between God and Israel, and the need to guard it with utmost care.

just as the LORD had commanded him
This phrase emphasizes Moses' obedience to God's instructions. The Hebrew word for "commanded" is "צִוָּה" (tzivah), which implies a direct order or charge. Moses' compliance with God's commands is a recurring theme in Exodus, illustrating the importance of obedience in the life of faith. This obedience is not merely a legalistic adherence but a heartfelt response to the divine will, reflecting a relationship of trust and submission to God's authority.

(21) The vail of the covering.--See Note on Exodus 39:34, and comp, above, Exodus 40:3.

Verse 21. - Set up the veil of the covering - i.e., hung the veil on the four pillars between the holy place and the holy of holies, and thus covered - i.e., concealed from sight, the ark of the testimony. (See the comment on ver. 3)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then he brought
וַיָּבֵ֣א (way·yā·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the ark
הָאָרֹן֮ (hā·’ā·rōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the tabernacle,
הַמִּשְׁכָּן֒ (ham·miš·kān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

put up
וַיָּ֗שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the veil
פָּרֹ֣כֶת (pā·rō·ḵeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6532: A separatrix, screen

for the screen,
הַמָּסָ֔ךְ (ham·mā·sāḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4539: A covering, screen

and shielded
וַיָּ֕סֶךְ (way·yā·seḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5526: To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect

off
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Ark
אֲר֣וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the Testimony,
הָעֵד֑וּת (hā·‘ê·ḏūṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

just as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had commanded
צִוָּ֥ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

him.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver


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OT Law: Exodus 40:21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 40:20
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