Exodus 40:5
New International Version
Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

New Living Translation
“Place the gold incense altar in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

English Standard Version
And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.

Berean Standard Bible
Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
You shall also 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.

New American Standard Bible
You shall also set the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the testimony, and set up the curtain for the doorway to the tabernacle.

NASB 1995
“Moreover, you shall set the gold altar of incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the veil for the doorway to the tabernacle.

NASB 1977
“Moreover, you shall set the gold altar of incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the veil for the doorway to the tabernacle.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, you shall set the gold altar of incense before the ark of the testimony and set up the veil for the doorway to the tabernacle.

Amplified Bible
You shall set the golden altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony [outside the veil], and put the [hanging] veil at the doorway of the tabernacle.

Christian Standard Bible
Place the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony. Put up the screen for the entrance to the tabernacle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Place the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony. Put up the screen for the entrance to the tabernacle.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Then place the gold altar of incense in front of the sacred chest and hang a curtain at the entrance to the tent.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put the gold altar for incense in front of the ark. Put up the screen at the entrance to the tent.

Good News Translation
Put the gold altar for burning incense in front of the Covenant Box and hang the curtain at the entrance of the Tent.

International Standard Version
"You are to put the golden altar for incense in front of the Ark of the Testimony and then set up the screen for the doorway to the tent.

Majority Standard Bible
Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

NET Bible
You are to put the gold altar for incense in front of the ark of the testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

New Heart English Bible
You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have put the golden altar for incense before the Ark of the Testimony, and have put the covering of the opening to the Dwelling Place,

Young's Literal Translation
'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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And set the altar of gold for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the covering of the door to the dwelling.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the altar of gold whereon the incense is burnt, before the ark of the testimony. Thou shalt put the hanging in the entry of the tabernacle,

Catholic Public Domain Version
and the altar of gold, in which the incense is burned, shall stand before the ark of the testimony. You shall place the tent at the entrance of the tabernacle,

New American Bible
Put the golden altar of incense in front of the ark of the covenant, and hang the curtain at the entrance of the tabernacle.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and set up the screen for the entrance of the tabernacle.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and fasten the hanging to the entry of the tabernacle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And set the altar of gold for the incense before the Ark of the Testimony and cast a covering on the door of the Tabernacle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt place the golden altar, to burn incense before the ark; and thou shalt put a covering of a veil on the door of the tabernacle of witness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Setting Up the Tabernacle
4Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps. 5Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:2-5
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, / containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ...

Leviticus 24:3-4
Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come. / He shall tend the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD continually.

Numbers 8:2-3
“Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’” / And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

1 Kings 7:48-50
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; / the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.

2 Chronicles 4:19-22
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...

Revelation 1:12-13
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, / and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 11:1
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 42:6-7
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, / to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Zechariah 4:2-3
“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps. / There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

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

the altar

Exodus 40:26,27
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail: …

Exodus 30:1-5
And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it…

Exodus 35:25-28
And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen…

put

Exodus 40:28
And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.

Exodus 26:36,37
And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework…

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Altar Ark Burning Covering Curtain Door Doorway Entrance Front Gold Golden Hang Hanging House Incense Law Moreover Opening Perfume Perfumes Screen Tabernacle Testimony Veil
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Altar Ark Burning Covering Curtain Door Doorway Entrance Front Gold Golden Hang Hanging House Incense Law Moreover Opening Perfume Perfumes Screen Tabernacle Testimony Veil
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














Place the gold altar of incense
The "gold altar of incense" is a significant element in the tabernacle, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The Hebrew word for "altar" is "mizbeach," which denotes a place of sacrifice or offering. The use of gold signifies purity and divinity, reflecting the holiness required in approaching God. Historically, incense was a precious commodity, often used in religious rituals to create an atmosphere of reverence and sanctity. The altar's placement signifies the importance of prayer and worship in the life of the Israelites, serving as a reminder that their relationship with God is central to their identity.

in front of the ark of the testimony
The "ark of the testimony" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the tablets of the Law given to Moses. The Hebrew term "aron" means chest or box, and "edut" means testimony or witness. This placement underscores the centrality of God's covenant with Israel. The ark is a tangible representation of God's presence and His promises. By placing the altar of incense in front of the ark, it symbolizes the direct connection between worship (incense) and the divine law (ark), highlighting that true worship is rooted in obedience to God's commandments.

and put up the curtain
The "curtain" or "veil" in Hebrew is "paroketh," which served as a barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place within the tabernacle. This curtain represents the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Its presence is a constant reminder of the holiness of God and the need for atonement. In the New Testament, the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the removal of this barrier, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

at the entrance to the tabernacle
The "entrance to the tabernacle" is the point of access to the sacred space where God dwells among His people. The Hebrew word "mishkan" for tabernacle means dwelling place, indicating God's desire to be present with His people. The entrance signifies the invitation to enter into fellowship with God, yet it also serves as a reminder of the need for preparation and purification before approaching the divine presence. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God’s holiness and the call for His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 19:2).

(5) Thou shalt set the altar of gold . . . before the ark.--Not inside the vail, but outside, in the Holy Place; nearer, however, to the vail than either the table or the candlestick. (See Note 1 on Exodus 30:6.)

The hanging of the door--i.e., the curtain at the entrance to the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:36; Exodus 36:37, &c.).

Verse 5. - The altar of gold. See Exodus 30:1-10; Exodus 37:25-28. Before the ark of the testimony - i.e., "before the veil, opposite the ark of the testimony," not within the veil. See the comment on Exodus 30:6. The hanging of the door - i.e., "the curtain which closed the front or eastern end of the tabernacle." (See Exodus 26:36; Exodus 36:37.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Place
וְנָתַתָּ֞ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the gold
הַזָּהָב֙ (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

altar
מִזְבַּ֤ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of incense
לִקְטֹ֔רֶת (liq·ṭō·reṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

in front
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the Ark
אֲר֣וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the Testimony,
הָעֵדֻ֑ת (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

and hang
וְשַׂמְתָּ֛ (wə·śam·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the curtain
מָסַ֥ךְ (mā·saḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4539: A covering, screen

at the entrance
הַפֶּ֖תַח (hap·pe·ṯaḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

to the tabernacle.
לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃ (lam·miš·kān)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle


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OT Law: Exodus 40:5 You shall set the golden altar (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 40:4
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