Exodus 40:17 - In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up.

Generated Verse: Exodus 40:17

What does "Exodus 40:17" mean?


Exodus 40:17 is a very specific historical marker. Let's break it down:

"In the first month...": This refers to the first month of the Hebrew calendar, called Nisan. Nisan typically falls around March/April in the Gregorian calendar.

"...in the second year...": This is two years after the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites had spent approximately a year at Mount Sinai receiving the Law (including the Ten Commandments) and detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle.

"...on the first day of the month...": This specifies the exact day of the month when the event occurred.

"...the tabernacle was raised up.": This is the crucial part. The Tabernacle was a portable sanctuary, a physical representation of God's presence among the Israelites. It served as a place of worship, sacrifice, and communion with God during their wilderness wanderings. The "raising up" means the Tabernacle was fully constructed and erected, put into its proper place according to God's instructions.

In summary, Exodus 40:17 signifies the culmination of a long period of preparation. It marks the precise date (Nisan 1, in the second year after the Exodus) when the Tabernacle, the central place of worship and God's dwelling among the Israelites, was officially set up for the first time.

Significance:

Fulfillment of God's Command: The verse shows the Israelites' obedience to God's detailed instructions regarding the Tabernacle's construction.
God's Presence: It signifies the establishment of God's presence among the Israelites in a tangible way. The Tabernacle served as a visible reminder of God's covenant with them.
A New Era: It marked a new era in the Israelites' relationship with God, where they could now worship and offer sacrifices in the designated manner within the Tabernacle.
Historical Marker: It provides a specific date in the history of the Israelites' journey and the establishment of their religious practices.

Therefore, Exodus 40:17 is not just a simple statement of fact but a profound statement about God's presence, His people's obedience, and the establishment of a central place of worship.

What categories does "Exodus 40:17" have?