The Meaning of Exodus 40:6 Explained

Exodus 40:6

KJV: And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

YLT: and hast put the altar of the burnt-offering before the opening of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

Darby: And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

ASV: And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt set  the altar  of the burnt offering  before  the door  of the tabernacle  of the tent  of the congregation. 

What does Exodus 40:6 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 40:6 mean?

And you shall set - the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting
וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔ה אֵ֖ת מִזְבַּ֣ח הָעֹלָ֑ה לִפְנֵ֕י פֶּ֖תַח מִשְׁכַּ֥ן אֹֽהֶל־ מוֹעֵֽד

וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔ה  And  you  shall  set 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
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.
מִזְבַּ֣ח  the  altar 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִזְבֵּחַ  
Sense: altar.
הָעֹלָ֑ה  of  the  burnt  offering 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֹלָה  
Sense: whole burnt offering.
לִפְנֵ֕י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
פֶּ֖תַח  the  door 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּתַח  
Sense: opening, doorway, entrance.
מִשְׁכַּ֥ן  of  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִשְׁכָּן  
Sense: dwelling place, tabernacle.
אֹֽהֶל־  of  the  tent 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵֽד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.