The Meaning of Exodus 40:3 Explained

Exodus 40:3

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

YLT: and hast set there the ark of the testimony, and hast covered over the ark with the vail,

Darby: And thou shalt put in it the ark of the testimony, and shalt cover the ark with the veil.

ASV: And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt put  therein  the ark  of the testimony,  and cover  the ark  with the vail. 

What does Exodus 40:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 40:1-16 - Directions For Erecting The Tabernacle
On the new year's day of the second year of the exodus Moses was bidden to rear up the Tabernacle, and with his own hand to place each article in its specified position. With what joy must those commands have fallen on His ears! We are reminded of the words of Robert Moffat, when he was completing the translation of the entire Bible into the language of the Botswana: "When I had finished the last verse I could hardly believe that I was in the world. My emotions found vent by my falling on my knees and thanking God for His grace and goodness in giving me strength to accomplish my task." Under similar circumstances Dr. Paton says that he pitched his bat into the air and danced round and round his printing-press. Let us build our life, piece by piece, in the same spirit-not with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious stones-so that at the close we may be able to say, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Exodus 40:3 mean?

And You shall put in it - the ark of the Testimony and partition off the ark with the veil
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שָׁ֔ם אֵ֖ת אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵד֑וּת וְסַכֹּתָ֥ עַל־ הָאָרֹ֖ן אֶת־ הַפָּרֹֽכֶת

וְשַׂמְתָּ֣  And  You  shall  put 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
שָׁ֔ם  in  it 
Parse: Adverb
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.
אֵ֖ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲר֣וֹן  the  ark 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הָעֵד֑וּת  of  the  Testimony 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדוּת  
Sense: testimony.
עַל־  partition  off 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: 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.
הָאָרֹ֖ן  the  ark 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הַפָּרֹֽכֶת  the  veil 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: פָּרֹכֶת  
Sense: curtain, veil.