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Christmas · The Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Day)

Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38

Setting Up the Tabernacle

December 25, 2025

Solomon Dedicating the Temple outside Jerusalem, Philips Koninck
Solomon Dedicating the Temple outside Jerusalem, Philips Koninck, c. 1664Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University
The whole people gathered in front of the city with the smoke of the offering going up and a great cloud coming down over them.The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, so that Moses could not enter it.Philips KoninckKoninck, who painted vast flat distances and put the crowd at the very front of them.Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's UniversityThe Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University.Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:1-14 (15-18)Jn 1:1-14 (15-18)
EpistleTitus 3:4-7Ti 3:4-7
Old TestamentExod. 40:17-21, 34-38Ex 40:17-21, 34-38
PsalterPs. 2Ps 2

Overview & Insights

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)

In Exodus 40 (v. 34), “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” for the first time. As Moses set up the tabernacle, in accordance with the Lord’ instructions, God fulfilled the original intention to deliver and dwell with this chosen people. The outline of the chapter follows a chiastic structure:

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Take it further: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38

Commentary

Exodus 40 - Setting Up the TabernacleEx 40 - Setting Up the Tabernacle Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's evangelical commentary on erecting the tabernacle and the glory that fills it.

Exodus 40 CommentaryEx 40 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study gathering many commentators on Exodus 40.

Exodus 40:17 CommentariesEx 40:17 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic cross-tradition commentary set on the raising of the tabernacle.

Exodus 40 - The Pulpit CommentaryEx 40 - The Pulpit Commentary StudyLight

The classic Pulpit Commentary on the completed tabernacle and the descending cloud of glory.

Background & Word Study

Exodus 40Ex 40 Sefaria

Hebrew text with classical Jewish commentary on the tabernacle's completion.

Exodus 40:17 InterlinearEx 40:17 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew-English interlinear for word study of 'tabernacle' and 'glory'.

Exodus 19-40 OverviewEx 19-40 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the covenant and tabernacle section of Exodus.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Exodus 40Catena: Ex 40 Catena

Patristic comments from the church fathers on Exodus 40.

Questions preachers ask

Why read the tabernacle account at Christmas?

When the tabernacle is finished, God's glory comes to dwell in the midst of his people, a foreshadowing of the Word who would tabernacle among us in the flesh.

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