Exodus 40:5
And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞ה
And thou shalt set
H5414
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞ה
And thou shalt set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזָּהָב֙
of gold
H2091
הַזָּהָב֙
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
4 of 13
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְשַׂמְתָּ֛
and put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתָּ֛
and put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Historical Context
The incense altar stood directly before the veil (Exodus 30:6), closer to the ark than any other furniture. When the high priest burned incense, its fragrant smoke filled the Holy Place and penetrated the veil into the Most Holy Place. The door's hanging screened the Holy Place from common view.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the incense altar's position (closest to God's presence) teach about prayer's supreme importance?
- How do graduated holiness zones illustrate the believer's progressive sanctification?
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Analysis & Commentary
The golden incense altar 'before the ark' (לִפְנֵי אֲרוֹן, lifnei aron) positioned prayer closest to God's presence (though separated by the veil). The 'hanging for the door' (מָסַךְ הַפֶּתַח, masakh haPetach, screen of entrance) separated the Holy Place from the courtyard, creating graduated holiness—courtyard, Holy Place, Most Holy Place. This teaches that approaching God involves increasing consecration. The incense altar's position teaches that prayer brings believers nearest to God. Christ, our Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), stands perpetually 'before the ark,' pleading our case.