Exodus 30:6
New International Version
Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

New Living Translation
Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. I will meet with you there.

English Standard Version
And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Berean Standard Bible
Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you.

King James Bible
And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

New King James Version
And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you.

New American Standard Bible
You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the atoning cover that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.

NASB 1995
“You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.

NASB 1977
“And you shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Amplified Bible
You shall put the altar of incense [in the Holy Place] in front and outside of the veil that screens the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you.

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to place the altar in front of the curtain by the ark of the testimony—in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony—where I will meet with you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to place the altar in front of the veil by the ark of the testimony—in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony—where I will meet with you.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Contemporary English Version
Put the altar in front of the inside curtain of the sacred tent. The chest with the place of mercy is kept behind that curtain, and I will talk with you there.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put the altar in front of the canopy which [hangs] over the ark containing the words of my promise. I will meet with you there in front of the throne of mercy that is on the ark.

Good News Translation
Put this altar outside the curtain which hangs in front of the Covenant Box. That is the place where I will meet you.

International Standard Version
You are to put the altar in front of the curtain that is over the Ark of the Testimony, in front of the Mercy Seat that is over the Testimony where I'll meet with you.

Majority Standard Bible
Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you.

NET Bible
"You are to put it in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the testimony (before the atonement lid that is over the testimony), where I will meet you.

New Heart English Bible
You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

World English Bible
You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the covenant, before the mercy seat that is over the covenant, where I will meet with you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have put it before the veil, which [is] by the Ark of the Testimony, before the propitiatory covering which [is] over the Testimony, where I meet with you.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast put it before the vail, which is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy-seat which is over the testimony, whither I am met with thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
And give it before the vail that is upon the ark of the testimonies, before the cover which is upon the testimonies, where I will meet with thee there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt set the altar over against the veil, that hangeth before the ark of the testimony before the propitiatory wherewith the testimony is covered, where I will speak to thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall set the altar opposite the veil, which hangs in front of the ark of the testimony, before the propitiatory with which the testimony is covered, where I will speak to you.

New American Bible
This altar you are to place in front of the veil that hangs before the ark of the covenant where I will meet you.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall place it in front of the curtain that is above the ark of the covenant, in front of the mercy seat that is over the covenant, where I will meet with you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And place it before the covering that is over the Ark of the Testimony before the Mercy Seat that is over the Testimony, and I shall meet you there.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the ark-cover that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt set it before the veil that is over the ark of the testimonies, wherein I will make myself known to thee from thence.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Altar of Incense
5Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 6Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony— before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony— where I will meet with you. 7And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:3-4
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, / containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 25:22
And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Numbers 7:89
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony. Thus the LORD spoke to him.

1 Kings 6:19-20
Solomon also prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there. / The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.

1 Kings 8:6
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.

2 Chronicles 5:7
Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.

Revelation 8:3-4
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.

Exodus 40:5
Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:26
Moses placed the gold altar in the Tent of Meeting, in front of the veil,

Leviticus 4:7
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 4:18
He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

Psalm 80:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.

vail

Exodus 26:31-35
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: …

Exodus 40:3,5,26
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail…

Matthew 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Exodus 25:21,22
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee…

Leviticus 16:13
And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

I will

Exodus 30:36
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

Exodus 29:42,43
This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee…

Numbers 17:4
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.

Jump to Previous
Altar Ark Ark-Cover Atonement Cover Curtain Front Law Meet Mercy Mercy-Seat Met Placed Seat Testimony Vail Veil Whither You
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Altar Ark Ark-Cover Atonement Cover Curtain Front Law Meet Mercy Mercy-Seat Met Placed Seat Testimony Vail Veil Whither You
Exodus 30
1. The altar of incense
11. The ransom of souls
17. The bronze basin
22. The holy anointing oil
34. The composition of the incense














Place the altar
The Hebrew word for "altar" is "מִזְבֵּחַ" (mizbeach), which signifies a place of sacrifice and offering. In the context of the Tabernacle, the altar represents a focal point of worship and atonement. Historically, altars were central to religious practices, serving as a bridge between the divine and the human. This command to "place the altar" underscores the importance of intentionality in worship, reminding believers that God desires a specific order and reverence in how He is approached.

in front of the veil
The "veil" (Hebrew: "פָּרֹכֶת" - parochet) was a significant barrier within the Tabernacle, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This veil symbolizes the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The placement of the altar "in front of the veil" signifies the necessary preparation and purification required before entering into God's holy presence. It foreshadows the ultimate tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion, which opened direct access to God for believers.

that is before the ark of the Testimony
The "ark of the Testimony" (Hebrew: "אֲרוֹן הָעֵדוּת" - aron ha'edut) housed the tablets of the Law, representing God's covenant with Israel. The positioning of the altar before the ark emphasizes the centrality of God's Word and covenant in worship. It serves as a reminder that true worship is grounded in obedience to God's revealed will and His promises.

before the mercy seat
The "mercy seat" (Hebrew: "כַּפֹּרֶת" - kapporet) was the cover of the ark, where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of atonement. This term is rich with theological significance, as it represents God's throne of grace and forgiveness. The altar's placement "before the mercy seat" highlights the necessity of atonement and the grace available through sacrificial offerings, ultimately pointing to Christ's sacrifice as the fulfillment of this atonement.

that is over the Testimony
The "Testimony" refers to the tablets of the Law within the ark. The mercy seat being "over the Testimony" illustrates the supremacy of God's grace over the Law. While the Law reveals sin, the mercy seat provides the means of reconciliation. This imagery is a profound reminder of the balance between justice and mercy in God's character.

where I will meet with you
This phrase encapsulates the heart of the Tabernacle's purpose: communion with God. The Hebrew root "יָעַד" (ya'ad) conveys the idea of an appointed meeting. God's promise to "meet with you" at the altar signifies His desire for relationship and fellowship with His people. It is an invitation to draw near to Him through the prescribed means of worship, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the mediator of the new covenant. This assurance of God's presence is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming that God is accessible and desires to dwell among His people.

(6) Before the vail.--The ark was behind the vail (Exodus 26:33; Exodus 40:3), the altar of incense directly in front of it, nearer to the vail than either the golden candlestick or the table of shewbread. Hence the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews speaks of it as belonging, in a certain sense, to the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:4; see Kay, in Speaker's Commentary). The "vail that is by the ark of the testimony" is distinguished here from the vail, or curtain, at the entrance to the holy place.

Before the mercy seat.--The altar bore a close relation to the mercy seat. It was the instrument by which the "mercy" there enthroned was made available to the penitent sinner.

Where I will meet with thee.--Comp. Exodus 25:22; Exodus 29:42-43. . . .

Verse 6. - Thou shalt put it before the vail. It might have been doubtful from what is said here, which side of the veil the altar was to be placed. The doubt is precluded by the narrative of what Moses actually did in Exodus 40:21-29, which makes it clear that the altar was placed with the golden candlestick and the table of shew-bread, outside the veil, in the "holy place," and not within the "holy of holies." Where I will meet with thee. See above, Exodus 25:22.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Place
וְנָתַתָּ֤ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

[the altar]
אֹתוֹ֙ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

in front
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the veil
הַפָּרֹ֔כֶת (hap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6532: A separatrix, screen

that is before
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Ark
אֲרֹ֣ן (’ă·rōn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the Testimony—
הָעֵדֻ֑ת (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the mercy seat
הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת (hak·kap·pō·reṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3727: Propitiatory

that
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Testimony—
הָ֣עֵדֻ֔ת (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

where
אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I will meet
אִוָּעֵ֥ד (’iw·wā·‘êḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

with you.
לְךָ֖ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Exodus 30:6 You shall put it before the veil (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 30:5
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