Exodus 40

Jehovah

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Exodus 40:1–2

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, gives the command to raise His dwelling place among Israel.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

The Tabernacle

On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Exodus 40:2

The tabernacle Moses raises is a copy of 'the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched,' where Jesus Christ ministers as our High Priest.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Hebrews 8:2 — Christ is 'a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man' (footnote 2b).
• alluded to by John 1:14 — The Word 'dwelt' (literally 'tabernacled') among us.

The Vail

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. Exodus 40:3

The vail hid the ark, God's throne, from the people. Hebrews teaches that the vail represents Christ's flesh, through which we are now invited in.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• interpreted by Hebrews 10:19-20 — We enter the holiest 'by the blood of Jesus ... through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.'

High Priest

And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. Exodus 40:12–15

Aaron is washed, clothed and anointed to serve as high priest before Jehovah. He foreshadows Jesus, the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ), called of God as the great High Priest.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• a type of what is in Hebrews 5:4-6 — As Aaron was called of God, so Christ was glorified by the Father to be an high priest.
• a type of what is in Acts 10:38 — 'God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.'

Mercy Seat

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: Exodus 40:20–21

The mercy seat is set over the law in the ark: mercy covers the law. It is a type of Jesus Christ, whose atonement satisfies justice and extends mercy.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ, 'an high priest of good things to come', entered the holy place 'by his own blood' (the antitype of the Day of Atonement blood sprinkled on the mercy seat). Hebrews does not name the mercy seat in these verses, so this is type-antitype, not interpretation.
• alluded to by Romans 3:25 — Christ 'a propitiation through faith in his blood.'

Bread of Life

And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. Exodus 40:23

Bread was set before the LORD's presence continually. It is traditionally read as a picture of Christ, the Bread of Life who came from God's presence.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 6:35 — 'I am the bread of life.'

Light of the World

And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. Exodus 40:25

The lamps lit before the LORD are traditionally seen as a picture of Christ, the Light of the World.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. Exodus 40:29

The first sacrifices are offered at the new tabernacle. Each was a similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice 'is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.'

Jehovah

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34–35

Jehovah's glory fills the tabernacle, so He literally dwells among His people. John uses this picture when he says the Word 'dwelt' (tabernacled) among us and we beheld His glory.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by John 1:14 — 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...)'
• alluded to by 1 Kings 8:10-11 — The cloud and glory of the LORD likewise fill Solomon's temple.
• alluded to by Haggai 2:7 — 'The desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts' (footnote 34b).

Jehovah

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: Exodus 40:36–38

The LORD led Israel by cloud and fire through the wilderness. Nephi says it was 'their Redeemer' going before them, and Paul says Christ was with Israel in the wilderness.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it · the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by 1 Nephi 17:30 — 'The Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night.'
• alluded to by 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 — Paul recalls Israel 'under the cloud' and says the spiritual Rock that followed them 'was Christ'; he names the Rock, not the cloud, as Christ, so this is allusion, not interpretation of the cloud.
• the same event in Numbers 9:15-16 — The cloud covering the tabernacle by day and fire by night from the day it was reared up.