The Meaning of Exodus 40:5 Explained

Exodus 40:5

KJV: And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

YLT: 'And thou hast put the golden altar for perfume before the ark of the testimony, and hast put the covering of the opening to the tabernacle,

Darby: And thou shalt set the golden altar for the incense before the ark of the testimony; and hang up the curtain of the entrance to the tabernacle.

ASV: And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt set  the altar  of gold  for the incense  before  the ark  of the testimony,  and put  the hanging  of the door  to the tabernacle. 

What does Exodus 40:5 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 40:5 mean?

And You shall set - the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle
וְנָתַתָּ֞ה אֶת־ מִזְבַּ֤ח הַזָּהָב֙ לִקְטֹ֔רֶת לִפְנֵ֖י אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵדֻ֑ת וְשַׂמְתָּ֛ מָסַ֥ךְ הַפֶּ֖תַח לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן

וְנָתַתָּ֞ה  And  You  shall  set 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
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.
מִזְבַּ֤ח  the  altar 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִזְבֵּחַ  
Sense: altar.
הַזָּהָב֙  of  gold 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
לִקְטֹ֔רֶת  for  the  incense 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular
Root: קְטֹרֶת  
Sense: incense, smoke, odour of (burning) sacrifice.
לִפְנֵ֖י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
אֲר֣וֹן  the  ark 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הָעֵדֻ֑ת  of  the  Testimony 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֵדוּת  
Sense: testimony.
וְשַׂמְתָּ֛  and  put  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
מָסַ֥ךְ  the  screen  for 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָסָךְ  
Sense: covering, rag, screen.
הַפֶּ֖תַח  the  door 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּתַח  
Sense: opening, doorway, entrance.
לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן  of  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.