The Meaning of Exodus 40:4 Explained

Exodus 40:4

KJV: And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

YLT: and hast brought in the table, and set its arrangement in order, and hast brought in the candlestick, and caused its lamps to go up.

Darby: And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it. And thou shalt bring in the candlestick and light its lamps.

ASV: And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt bring  in the table,  and set in order  the things that are to be set in order  upon it; and thou shalt bring  in the candlestick,  and light  the lamps  thereof. 

What does Exodus 40:4 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 40:4 mean?

And You shall bring in - the table and arrange the things that are to be set in order on it the lampstand and light its lamps
וְהֵבֵאתָ֙ אֶת־ הַשֻּׁלְחָ֔ן וְעָרַכְתָּ֖ עֶרְכּ֑וֹ הַמְּנֹרָ֔ה וְהַעֲלֵיתָ֖ נֵרֹתֶֽיהָ

וְהֵבֵאתָ֙  And  You  shall  bring  in 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
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.
הַשֻּׁלְחָ֔ן  the  table 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֻׁלְחָן  
Sense: table.
וְעָרַכְתָּ֖  and  arrange 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָרַךְ  
Sense: to arrange, set or put or lay in order, set in array, prepare, order, ordain, handle, furnish, esteem, equal, direct, compare.
עֶרְכּ֑וֹ  the  things  that  are  to  be  set  in  order  on  it 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עֵרֶךְ  
Sense: order, row, estimate, things that are set in order, layer, pile.
הַמְּנֹרָ֔ה  the  lampstand 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְנׄורָה  
Sense: lamp stand.
וְהַעֲלֵיתָ֖  and  light 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: סָלַק 
Sense: to go up, ascend, climb.
נֵרֹתֶֽיהָ  its  lamps 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: נִיר 
Sense: lamp.