On the first day of the first month — exactly one year after the exodus — Moses erects the tabernacle, places the ark, sets up the furnishings, anoints everything, and consecrates Aaron and his sons. The cloud covers the tent and the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle.
The tabernacle is erected on Israel's anniversary of liberation (v2, cf. 12:2) — the exodus began with departure from Egypt and culminates with God taking up residence among His people. The final verses (vv34-38) describe the cloud of the LORD covering the tent and His kavod ('glory') filling the mishkan so powerfully that even Moses 'was not able to enter.' The God who descended on Sinai in cloud and fire now descends into the structure Israel built for Him. The book that began with Israel enslaved ends with God dwelling among them, leading them by cloud and fire.
The phrase velo-yakhol Mosheh lavo el-ohel mo'ed ('Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting,' v35) creates a striking tension — the man who spoke with God face to face (33:11) cannot enter the space filled with God's glory. We rendered this literally without resolving the tension, as the Hebrew holds both realities together. The cloud-and-fire guidance system (vv36-38) we rendered straightforwardly, noting that it echoes the pillar of cloud and fire from 13:21-22, now permanently attached to the tabernacle rather than leading from a distance.
The glory filling the tabernacle parallels the glory filling Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11) and Ezekiel's visionary temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5). The cloud-and-fire guidance continues through Numbers and Deuteronomy. The incarnation ('the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us,' John 1:14) is the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people. Revelation 21:3 ('the dwelling place of God is with man') completes the trajectory that begins here. **Tradition comparisons:** Targum Onkelos interprets this chapter with notable Aramaic renderings: At the climax of Exodus, Onkelos renders 'glory' (kavod/yeqar) literally. The glory filling the Tabernacle is the culmination of the Shekinah theology developed throughout the book — God's presence ha... (2 notable renderings in this chapter) See the [Targum Onkelos on Exodus](/targum/exodus).
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
בְּיוֹם־הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ תָּקִ֕ים אֶת־מִשְׁכַּ֖ן אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃
"On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
KJV On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שָׁ֔ם אֵ֖ת אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵד֑וּת וְסַכֹּתָ֥ עַל־הָאָרֹ֖ן אֶת־הַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃
You shall place the ark of the Testimony in it and screen the ark with the veil.
KJV And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
וְהֵבֵאתָ֙ אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֔ן וְעָרַכְתָּ֖ אֶת־עֶרְכּ֑וֹ וְהֵבֵאתָ֙ אֶת־הַמְּנֹרָ֔ה וְהַעֲלֵיתָ֖ אֶת־נֵרֹתֶֽיהָ׃
You shall bring in the table and arrange what belongs on it. You shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps.
KJV And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
וְנָתַתָּ֞ה אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַזָּהָב֙ לִקְטֹ֔רֶת לִפְנֵ֖י אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵדֻ֑ת וְשַׂמְתָּ֛ אֶת־מָסַ֥ךְ הַפֶּ֖תַח לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
You shall place the golden altar for incense before the ark of the Testimony and set up the screen for the entrance of the tabernacle.
KJV 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.
וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔ה אֵ֖ת מִזְבַּ֣ח הָעֹלָ֑ה לִפְנֵ֕י פֶּ֖תַח מִשְׁכַּ֥ן אֹֽהֶל־מוֹעֵֽד׃
You shall place the altar of burnt offering before the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
KJV And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
וְנָֽתַתָּ֙ אֶת־הַכִּיֹּ֔ר בֵּֽין־אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וּבֵ֣ין הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְנָתַתָּ֥ שָׁ֖ם מָֽיִם׃
You shall place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it.
KJV And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ אֶת־הֶחָצֵ֖ר סָבִ֑יב וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔ אֶת־מָסַ֖ךְ שַׁ֥עַר הֶחָצֵֽר׃
You shall set up the courtyard all around and hang the screen for the gate of the courtyard.
KJV And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.
וְלָקַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־בּ֑וֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָ֖יו וְהָ֥יָה קֹֽדֶשׁ׃
"Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it shall become holy.
KJV And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֛ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח הָעֹלָ֖ה וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָ֑יו וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וְהָיָ֥ה הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ קֹ֥דֶשׁ קׇֽדָשִֽׁים׃
You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, and the altar shall become most holy.
KJV And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֶת־הַכִּיֹּ֖ר וְאֶת־כַּנּ֑וֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֖ אֹתֽוֹ׃
You shall also anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate it.
KJV And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֤ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֔יו אֶל־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְרָחַצְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם בַּמָּֽיִם׃
"Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.
KJV And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֙ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֔ן אֵ֖ת בִּגְדֵ֣י הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֹת֛וֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֥ אֹת֖וֹ וְכִהֵ֥ן לִֽי׃
You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as priest.
KJV And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
וְאֶת־בָּנָ֖יו תַּקְרִ֑יב וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם כֻּתֳּנֹֽת׃
You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them.
KJV And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:
וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֣ אֹתָ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר מָשַׁ֙חְתָּ֙ אֶת־אֲבִיהֶ֔ם וְכִהֲנ֖וּ לִ֑י וְ֠הָיְתָ֠ה לִהְיֹ֨ת לָהֶ֧ם מׇשְׁחָתָ֛ם לִכְהֻנַּ֥ת עוֹלָ֖ם לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃
You shall anoint them as you anointed their father, so that they may serve Me as priests. Their anointing shall be for them an eternal priesthood throughout their generations."
KJV And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ מֹשֶׁ֑ה כְּ֠כֹ֠ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה אֹת֖וֹ כֵּ֥ן עָשָֽׂה׃ {ס}
Moses did everything; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.
KJV Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
וַיְהִ֞י בַּחֹ֧דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֛וֹן בַּשָּׁנָ֥ה הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ הוּקַ֖ם הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
In the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up.
KJV And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)minor
"in the first month in the second year"
The date of the tabernacle's erection agrees in MT and SP.
וַיָּ֨קֶם מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֗ן וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־אֲדָנָ֔יו וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ אֶת־קְרָשָׁ֔יו וַיִּתֵּ֖ן אֶת־בְּרִיחָ֑יו וַיָּ֖קֶם אֶת־עַמּוּדָֽיו׃
Moses set up the tabernacle. He laid its bases, set up its frames, put in its bars, and erected its pillars.
KJV And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.
וַיִּפְרֹ֤שׂ אֶת־הָאֹ֙הֶל֙ עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן וַיָּ֜שֶׂם אֶת־מִכְסֵ֥ה הָאֹ֛הֶל עָלָ֖יו מִלְמָ֑עְלָה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
He spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.
וַיִּקַּ֞ח וַיִּתֵּ֤ן אֶת־הָעֵדֻת֙ אֶל־הָ֣אָרֹ֔ן וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־הַבַּדִּ֖ים עַל־הָאָרֹ֑ן וַיִּתֵּ֧ן אֶת־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת עַל־הָאָרֹ֖ן מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃
He took the Testimony and put it into the ark, and he set the poles on the ark and placed the atonement cover on top of the ark.
KJV 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:
וַיָּבֵ֣א אֶת־הָאָרֹן֮ אֶל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן֒ וַיָּ֗שֶׂם אֵ֚ת פָּרֹ֣כֶת הַמָּסָ֔ךְ וַיָּ֕סֶךְ עַ֖ל אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵד֑וּת כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
He brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen and screened off the ark of the Testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
וַיִּתֵּ֤ן אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָן֙ בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד עַ֛ל יֶ֥רֶךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן צָפֹ֑נָה מִח֖וּץ לַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃
He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil.
KJV And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
וַיַּעֲרֹ֥ךְ עָלָ֛יו עֵ֥רֶךְ לֶ֖חֶם לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם אֶת־הַמְּנֹרָה֙ בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד נֹ֖כַח הַשֻּׁלְחָ֑ן עַ֛ל יֶ֥רֶךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן נֶֽגְבָּה׃
He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle.
KJV And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
וַיַּ֥עַל הַנֵּרֹ֖ת לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
He set up the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
וַיָּ֛שֶׂם אֶת־מִזְבַּ֥ח הַזָּהָ֖ב בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד לִפְנֵ֖י הַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃
He placed the golden altar in the tent of meeting, before the veil,
KJV And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
וַיַּקְטֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו קְטֹ֣רֶת סַמִּ֑ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
and burned fragrant incense on it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
וַיָּ֛שֶׂם אֶת־מָסַ֥ךְ הַפֶּ֖תַח לַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
He set up the screen for the entrance of the tabernacle.
KJV And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.
וְאֵת֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הָעֹלָ֔ה שָׂ֕ם פֶּ֖תַח מִשְׁכַּ֣ן אֹֽהֶל־מוֹעֵ֑ד וַיַּ֣עַל עָלָ֗יו אֶת־הָעֹלָה֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
He placed the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV 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.
וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙ אֶת־הַכִּיֹּ֔ר בֵּֽין־אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וּבֵ֣ין הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וַיִּתֵּ֥ן שָׁ֛מָּה מַ֖יִם לְרׇחְצָֽה׃
He placed the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing.
KJV And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
וְרָחֲצ֣וּ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן וּבָנָ֑יו אֶת־יְדֵיהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־רַגְלֵיהֶֽם׃
Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet from it.
KJV And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
בְּבֹאָ֞ם אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד וּבְקׇרְבָתָ֛ם אֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ יִרְחָ֑צוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {ס}
Whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar, they washed, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
KJV When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.
וַיָּ֣קֶם אֶת־הֶחָצֵ֗ר סָבִיב֙ לַמִּשְׁכָּ֣ן וְלַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וַיִּתֵּ֕ן אֶת־מָסַ֖ךְ שַׁ֣עַר הֶחָצֵ֑ר וַיְכַ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה אֶת־הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃ {פ}
He set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar and hung the screen of the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.
KJV And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
וַיְכַ֥ס הֶעָנָ֖ן אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּכְב֣וֹד יְהֹוָ֔ה מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
KJV Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The kavod register term reaches its Exodus climax. The verb male ('filled') means the tabernacle is saturated with divine presence — there is no empty space. The same verb and image will recur at Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:11) and in Ezekiel's eschatological temple vision (Ezekiel 43:5; 44:4). What began as a promise ('I will dwell among them,' 25:8) is now accomplished fact.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)shekinah
"And the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle."
At the climax of Exodus, Onkelos renders 'glory' (kavod/yeqar) literally. The glory filling the Tabernacle is the culmination of the Shekinah theology developed throughout the book — God's presence has come to dwell among his people.
וְלֹא־יָכֹ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֗ה לָבוֹא֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד כִּֽי־שָׁכַ֥ן עָלָ֖יו הֶעָנָ֑ן וּכְב֣וֹד יְהֹוָ֔ה מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן׃
Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
KJV 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.
The Shekhinah verb at full expression. The cloud that guided Israel through the wilderness now 'settles' (shakan) on the tabernacle — God takes up permanent residence. The verb that gave Shekhinah its name finds its definitive fulfillment: God dwelling among His people in a structure built for that purpose.
Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)shekinah
"And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it."
The verb sherat ('settled/rested') replaces shakhan ('dwelt'), using a term that emphasizes the cloud's tangible presence. The Shekinah is so powerfully manifest that even Moses cannot enter.
וּבְהֵעָל֤וֹת הֶֽעָנָן֙ מֵעַ֣ל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן יִסְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּכֹ֖ל מַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃
Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out on each stage of their journey.
KJV And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
וְאִם־לֹ֥א יֵעָלֶ֖ה הֶעָנָ֑ן וְלֹ֣א יִסְע֔וּ עַד־י֖וֹם הֵעָלֹתֽוֹ׃
But if the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up.
KJV But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
כִּי֩ עֲנַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֤ה עַֽל־הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ יוֹמָ֔ם וְאֵ֕שׁ תִּהְיֶ֥ה לַ֖יְלָה בּ֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י כׇל־בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּכׇל־מַסְעֵיהֶֽם׃
The cloud of the LORD rested on the tabernacle during the day, and fire glowed within it at night, visible to the entire house of Israel at every stage of their travels.
KJV For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
The dual theophany from the exodus march (13:21-22) now rests permanently on the tabernacle. Cloud (concealment and shelter by day) and fire (glory and warmth by night) are God's visible presence — constant, public, guiding Israel 'throughout all their journeys.' The last word of Exodus is 'journeys' (mas'eihem) — the story continues.