Exodus 40:9-11
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This verse highlights that even the materials and furniture of the Tabernacle, once anointed, are set apart as holy. It’s not just about the priests or the people, but that the very structure where God would dwell is consecrated for His unique presence.
“Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy. You shall also anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After meticulously constructing the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses is now instructed to consecrate it and its furnishings. This involves anointing everything with special holy oil, setting it apart as sacred and designating it as God's dwelling place among His people. While the text implies these instructions were given at this time, scholarly notes suggest their actual execution, along with the consecration of the priests, may have been deferred to a later date, as detailed in Leviticus 8.
Why was a special oil so crucial for the Tabernacle? It wasn't just for show; it marked the beginning of God's dwelling place among His people.
The command to anoint the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with the holy anointing oil, as described in Exodus 40:9, was a profoundly significant act.
Setting Apart for God
This wasn't ordinary oil. Its specific recipe, given earlier in Exodus 30, meant it was set apart for sacred use. Anointing the Tabernacle and its items wasn't just a cleaning ritual; it was a way of officially consecrating them – making them holy and dedicated solely to God's service.
From Ordinary to Divine Dwelling
This act transformed the Tabernacle from a mere structure and collection of objects into God's dwelling place. It symbolized the separation of this space and its contents from the ordinary world, marking them as belonging to the divine.
A Lasting Designation
The anointing wasn't a one-time event with no consequence. It established the Tabernacle and its furniture as 'holy,' signifying a permanent state of dedication and setting the stage for God's presence to dwell within.
The word 'holy' appears multiple times, but what does it truly mean in the context of the Tabernacle? It’s about more than just being clean; it’s about being distinct.
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The repeated emphasis on making the Tabernacle and its contents 'holy' (Exodus 40:9) points to a core concept in God's relationship with His people: holiness.
What is Holiness?
Holiness, in the biblical sense, means being set apart, distinct, and consecrated. It’s about separation from the common and dedication to the divine. The Tabernacle was not just a building; it was a physical manifestation of God's presence among a people who were called to be holy themselves.
A Place for God's Presence
By anointing everything, Moses was making it clear that this place was exclusively for God. Anything that entered or touched the Tabernacle was now in a holy space and subject to its sacred protocols. This separation was necessary because God is perfectly holy, and His presence demands a pure and set-apart environment.
The Altar's Special Status
While the entire Tabernacle was consecrated, the altar held a unique position. Some texts note the altar was considered 'most holy,' indicating a superlative degree of consecration. This might be because the altar was the primary point of contact for sin-atoning sacrifices, directly engaging with the issue of impurity that separates humanity from a holy God.
Understand the original words
shemen hamishchah · Hebrew Noun Phrase
The perfumed oil used in the Old Testament to mark people or objects as set apart specifically for God's use, symbolizing the presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To declare or set something apart as holy for God’s exclusive use; it involves a formal process of purification and dedication to remove it from common or profane use.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
The state of being set apart for God, characterized by moral purity and separation from sin. It describes God's nature and anything that belongs to Him.
qodesh qodashim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A superlative expression denoting the highest degree of holiness, indicating that something or someone is exclusively and uniquely dedicated to the service of the Lord.
mashach · Hebrew Verb
To smear or rub with oil as a sign of divine selection, empowerment, or setting apart for a holy purpose. It signifies that the object or person belongs to God and is equipped by His Spirit for service.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To make holy or set apart exclusively for God's use. It involves the transition of an object or person from the common/profane realm into the sphere of divine holiness.
This passage directly describes the anointing of the Tabernacle and its furniture with the oil, just as commanded in Exodus 40:9, highlighting the act of consecration for divine service.
Exodus 30:26-29This earlier instruction details the purpose of the anointing oil and its application to the Tabernacle and its vessels, reinforcing the idea that anointing makes these items holy for God's use.
Hebrews 9:22-23This New Testament passage draws a parallel, explaining that while the earthly Tabernacle was purified with blood and oil, the heavenly realities required better sacrifices, showing the symbolic significance of the anointing in Exodus.
1 Samuel 16:13Here, Samuel anoints David, showing that anointing with oil was also a way to set apart individuals for a sacred purpose, mirroring how the Tabernacle itself was set apart in Exodus 40:9.
cambridgeExodus 40:9: "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."
9, 10 . It is remarkable that, while in Exodus 30:29 (see vv. 26–28), the Tent of Meeting with all the vessels belonging to it, are, by anointing, made ‘most holy’ (see for this term on Exodus 29:37 ), here the altar only is ‘most holy,’ and the Tent of Meeting and all its contents are only ‘holy.’ 9–11 . The Dwelling,…
calvinExodus 40:1-35: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
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.
Ungesque filius, quemadmodum unxeris patrem eorum: et sacerdotio fungentur mihi, eritque unctio eorum ut sit els in sacerdotium perpetuum per generationes suas.
Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded…
This verse highlights that even the materials and furniture of the Tabernacle, once anointed, are set apart as holy. It’s not just about the priests or the people, but that the very structure where God would dwell is consecrated for His unique presence.
After meticulously constructing the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses is now instructed to consecrate it and its furnishings. This involves anointing everything with special holy oil, setting it apart as sacred and designating it as God's dwelling place among His people. While the text implies these instructions were given at this time, scholarly notes suggest their actual execution, along with the consecration of the priests, may have been deferred to a later date, as detailed in Leviticus 8.
After meticulously constructing the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses is now instructed to consecrate it and its furnishings. This involves anointing everything with special holy oil, setting it apart as sacred and designating it as God's dwelling place among His people. While the text implies these instructions were given at this time, scholarly notes suggest their actual execution, along with the consecration of the priests, may have been deferred to a later date, as detailed in Leviticus 8.
"“Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consec…" — This verse highlights that even the materials and furniture of the Tabernacle, once anointed, are set apart as holy. It’s not just about the priests or the people, but that the very structure where G…
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Last reviewed October 2026
