The Meaning of Exodus 40:34 Explained

Exodus 40:34

KJV: Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

YLT: And the cloud covereth the tent of meeting, and the honour of Jehovah hath filled the tabernacle;

Darby: And the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

ASV: Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then a cloud  covered  the tent  of the congregation,  and the glory  of the LORD  filled  the tabernacle. 

What does Exodus 40:34 Mean?

Study Notes

glory
Cf. Ephesians 2:22 . What the shekinah glory was to tabernacle and temple, that the Spirit is to the "holy temple," the Church, and to the temple which is the believer's body. 1 Corinthians 6:19 .

Context Summary

Exodus 40:17-38 - The Tabernacle Set Up And Dedicated
At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice all was finished. Moses had placed the table on the right and the candlestick on the left of the holy place; had set the incense-altar near the veil; had washed in the laver, and had anointed it and all its vessels. The Ark had been hidden behind the veil, and Aaron invested in his robes. Then the congregation, deeply moved, retired to their tents and night settled on the mountains. Moses also retired from the scene, full of thankfulness. See Psalms 90:16-17.
They had hardly left the structure when the cloud that had guided their march settled down upon it, and the glory of the Lord-"the Shechinah"-shone within the Tabernacle itself. Moses immediately hastened back, and found the Presence of God so manifestly in possession that he dared not enter. Behold! the tabernacle of God was with men. So in after years the Divine Word dwelled in the mortal body of Jesus. See John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Revelation 21:3. This is the worthy close of this great book of the Exodus.
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comment [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 40:34 mean?

And covered the cloud - the tabernacle of meeting and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle
וַיְכַ֥ס הֶעָנָ֖ן אֶת־ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּכְב֣וֹד יְהוָ֔ה מָלֵ֖א הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן

וַיְכַ֥ס  And  covered 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
הֶעָנָ֖ן  the  cloud 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עָנָן  
Sense: cloud, cloudy, cloud-mass.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֹ֣הֶל  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵ֑ד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
וּכְב֣וֹד  and  the  glory 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כָּבֹוד  
Sense: glory, honour, glorious, abundance.
יְהוָ֔ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מָלֵ֖א  filled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.