Exodus 40:35
And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכֹ֣ל
was not able
H3201
יָכֹ֣ל
was not able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
2 of 16
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁכַ֥ן
abode
H7931
שָׁכַ֥ן
abode
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
9 of 16
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
עָלָ֖יו
H5921
עָלָ֖יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֶֽעָנָ֑ן
because the cloud
H6051
הֶֽעָנָ֑ן
because the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
11 of 16
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
וּכְב֣וֹד
thereon and the glory
H3519
וּכְב֣וֹד
thereon and the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָלֵ֖א
filled
H4390
מָלֵ֖א
filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
14 of 16
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
1 Kings 8:11So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.Isaiah 6:4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.Leviticus 16:2And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.2 Chronicles 7:2And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.Revelation 15:8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Historical Context
Moses' inability to enter parallels the priests' inability at Solomon's temple dedication (1 Kings 8:11)—when God's glory fills His dwelling, even consecrated ministers stand in awe. This wasn't judgment but overwhelming divine presence. Later, Moses regularly entered the tent to speak with God (Numbers 7:89), showing the glory's intensity was temporary.
Questions for Reflection
- What does even Moses being unable to enter teach about appropriate awe and reverence in God's presence?
- How does the cloud 'dwelling' (shakan) on the tabernacle prefigure Christ 'tabernacling' (skenoo) among us?
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Analysis & Commentary
'Moses was not able to enter...because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled' emphasizes divine initiative and overwhelming presence. The Hebrew לֹא־יָכֹל (lo-yakhol, not able) indicates inability, not restriction—the glory's weight/intensity prevented entry. Even Moses, God's mediator, couldn't presume access when glory manifested. This teaches that God's presence, though gracious, remains holy—casual familiarity is inappropriate. The cloud 'abode' (שָׁכַן, shakan, dwelt/tabernacled) indicates permanent residence, fulfilled when 'the Word tabernacled among us' (John 1:14, ἐσκήνωσεν).