Bible Strands
Exodus 40:2
“On the first day of the first month you are to set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Moses to issue a direct command regarding the tabernacle's installation. The instruction occurs at the conclusion of the construction narrative, specifying the exact timing for the Tent of Meeting's erection.
The words — The verb תָּקִים (ta.Kim) literally means "you will set up." The phrase בְּיוֹם הַחֹדֶשׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן בְּאֶחָד (be./yom ha./Cho.desh ha./ri.Shon be./'e.Chad) translates to "on the first day of the first month."
The thread — The command to erect the tabernacle according to a divine pattern appears in Exodus 26:30. The chronological marker of the first month parallels the Passover timing in Exodus 12:1 and the departure from Egypt in Exodus 13:4.
Why it lands — The text demands precise obedience to a divinely appointed schedule for worship space preparation. It requires the reader to recognize that sacred space and time are governed by explicit divine instruction rather than human convenience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Cross-references
- Exodus 26:30 So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
- Exodus 13:4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving.
- Exodus 12:1 Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
- Exodus 40:17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year.
- Numbers 1:1 On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:
- Numbers 7:1 On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils.
- Exodus 26:1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them.
- Exodus 26:7 You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all.
- Exodus 27:21 In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.
- Exodus 30:36 Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.