Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
The materials and furniture of the tabernacle had been viewed severally and approved, and now they must be put together. 1. God here directs Moses to set up the tabernacle and the utensils of it in their places. Though the work of the tabernacle was finished, and every thing ready for rearing, and the people, no doubt, were very desirous to see it up, yet...
Commenting on Exodus 40:1-15
And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony,.... Not in the most holy place where the ark was, but over against it in the holy place: and put the hanging of the door of the tabernacle; the door of entrance into the holy place, where there were to be no other things set but those now...
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. (b) That is, the altar of perfume, or to burn incense on. (c) This hanging or veil was between the sanctuary and the court.