King James Version

What Does Exodus 40:19 Mean?

Exodus 40:19 in the King James Version says “And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:19 · KJV


Context

17

And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.

18

And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.

19

And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.

20

And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

21

And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'He spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle' (וַיִּפְרֹשׂ אֶת־הָאֹהֶל, vayifros et-ha'ohel)—the coverings protected the tabernacle structure. The layered coverings—linen (beauty), goats' hair (provision), rams' skins (sacrifice), seals' skins (protection)—taught diverse aspects of God's character. The verb פָּרַשׂ (paras, to spread/stretch) indicates complete covering; nothing remained exposed. This prefigures Christ's covering believers with His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), comprehensive protection. The phrase 'as the LORD commanded Moses' (3rd of 8 times in ch 40) maintains emphasis on exact obedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The tent coverings' layered design provided weather protection for the tabernacle structure and symbolized graduated revelation—outer coverings showed durability, inner linings revealed beauty. Desert travelers seeing the drab outer covering wouldn't suspect the glory within, teaching that spiritual reality exceeds visible appearance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the layered coverings (beauty inside, durability outside) illustrate the church's nature?
  2. What does comprehensive covering (nothing exposed) teach about Christ's complete righteousness clothing believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּפְרֹ֤שׂ1 of 16

And he spread abroad

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

אֶת2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאֹ֛הֶל3 of 16

of the tent

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

עַל4 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן5 of 16

over the tabernacle

H4908

a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w

וַיָּ֜שֶׂם6 of 16

and put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת7 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִכְסֵ֥ה8 of 16

the covering

H4372

a covering, i.e., weatherboarding

הָאֹ֛הֶל9 of 16

of the tent

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

עָלָ֖יו10 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִלְמָ֑עְלָה11 of 16

above

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר12 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֥ה13 of 16

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 16

upon it as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת15 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֹשֶֽׁה׃16 of 16

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 40:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 40:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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