Exodus 40:6
New International Version
“Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting;

New Living Translation
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the Tabernacle entrance.

English Standard Version
You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

Berean Standard Bible
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the face of the door of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

King James Bible
And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

New King James Version
Then you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

New American Standard Bible
And you shall set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

NASB 1995
“You shall set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

NASB 1977
“And you shall set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall set the altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

Amplified Bible
You shall set the [bronze] altar of burnt offering in front of the doorway of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

Berean Annotated Bible
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

Christian Standard Bible
Position the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Position the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

Contemporary English Version
Set the altar for burning sacrifices in front of the entrance to my tent.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Put the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Good News Translation
Put in front of the Tent the altar for burning offerings.

International Standard Version
You are to put the altar for burnt offerings in front of the doorway of the tent of the Tent of Meeting.

NET Bible
You are to put the altar for the burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.

New Heart English Bible
You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt set the altar of the, burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

World English Bible
“You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and have put the altar of the burnt-offering before the opening of the Dwelling Place of the Tent of Meeting,

Berean Literal Bible
And you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the face of the door of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

Young's Literal Translation
and hast put the altar of the burnt-offering before the opening of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,

Smith's Literal Translation
And set the altar of the burnt-offering before the door of the dwelling of the tent of appointment.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And before it the altar of holocaust:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and before it, the altar of holocaust.

New American Bible
Put the altar for burnt offerings in front of the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall set the altar of the burnt offering in front of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And set the altar of burning before the door of the Time Tabernacle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt put the altar of burnt-offerings by the doors of the tabernacle of witness, and thou shalt set up the tabernacle round about, and thou shalt hallow all that belongs to it round about.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Setting Up the Tabernacle
5Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. 6Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting. 7And place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it.…

Cross References
Place the altar of burnt offering

Exodus 27:1-8
“You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. / Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze. / Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. …

Exodus 38:1-7
Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. / He made a horn at each of its four corners, so that the horns and altar were of one piece, and he overlaid the altar with bronze. / He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. …
in front of the entrance

Exodus 29:4
Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

Leviticus 1:3
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD.
to the tabernacle,

Exodus 26:33-37
And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. / Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. / And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side. …

Exodus 27:9-19
You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, / with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts. / Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts. …
the Tent of Meeting.

Exodus 29:42-44
For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. / I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory. / So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 1:1
Then the LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,

Exodus 33:7-11
Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. / Then, whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. / As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. …
Leviticus 8:18-21
Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. / Moses slaughtered the ram and splattered the blood on all sides of the altar. / He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. …

Numbers 28:3-4
And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,

1 Kings 8:64
On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.

2 Chronicles 7:7
Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar he had made could not hold all these offerings.

Hebrews 10:11-12
Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

Leviticus 9:7
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

2 Chronicles 29:21-24
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. / So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and splattered it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and splattered the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and splattered the blood on the altar. / Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them. …


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

Exodus 40:29
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.

Exodus 27:1-8
And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits…

Exodus 38:1-7
And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof…

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Altar Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Congregation Door Doorway Entrance Front House Meeting Offering Offerings Opening Tabernacle Tent
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Altar Burned Burnt Burnt-Offering Congregation Door Doorway Entrance Front House Meeting Offering Offerings Opening Tabernacle Tent
Exodus 40
1. The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13. Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16. Moses performs all things accordingly
34. A cloud covers the tabernacle












Place the altar of burnt offering
The altar of burnt offering, also known as the brazen altar, was central to the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, symbolizing judgment and sacrifice. This altar was where offerings were made to atone for sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death on the cross (Hebrews 10:10). The altar's placement signifies the necessity of atonement before entering into God's presence.

in front of the entrance
Positioning the altar in front of the entrance underscores the idea that one must first deal with sin before approaching God. This reflects the broader biblical principle that reconciliation with God requires a mediator and a sacrifice, as seen in the role of Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant (1 Timothy 2:5). The altar's location also served as a constant reminder to the Israelites of the need for purification and repentance.

to the tabernacle,
The tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting, was the portable dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a sacred space where God met with His people, symbolizing His presence and guidance. The tabernacle's design and function foreshadowed the coming of Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14), providing a way for humanity to dwell with God.

the Tent of Meeting.
The Tent of Meeting was a term used interchangeably with the tabernacle, emphasizing its role as a place of divine encounter. It was here that Moses spoke with God "face to face" (Exodus 33:11), highlighting the intimate relationship between God and His chosen leader. This concept of meeting with God is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus, who provides believers with direct access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16). The Tent of Meeting served as a precursor to the church, the body of Christ, where believers gather to worship and commune with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law. Moses is responsible for setting up the tabernacle according to God's instructions.

2. The Tabernacle
A portable earthly dwelling place for God among the Israelites, also known as the Tent of Meeting. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness.

3. The Altar of Burnt Offering
A key component of the tabernacle, where sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people and to maintain a right relationship with God.

4. The Entrance to the Tabernacle
The designated place where the altar was to be positioned, signifying the importance of sacrifice in approaching God.

5. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land under Moses' leadership.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of Sacrifice
The placement of the altar at the entrance of the tabernacle underscores the necessity of sacrifice in approaching God. In the New Testament, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, and through Him, we have access to God.

Obedience to God's Instructions
Moses' careful adherence to God's commands in setting up the tabernacle serves as a model for our obedience to God's Word in our lives.

The Role of Worship in Community
The tabernacle was a communal place of worship, reminding us of the importance of gathering together as believers to worship and seek God.

Symbolism of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle and its elements symbolize deeper spiritual truths, such as the holiness of God, the need for atonement, and the presence of God among His people.

Approaching God with Reverence
The sacrificial system highlights the seriousness of sin and the reverence required in approaching a holy God, encouraging us to examine our hearts and live in holiness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 40:6?

2. How does Exodus 40:6 emphasize the importance of following God's specific instructions?

3. What role does the altar play in Israel's worship according to Exodus 40:6?

4. How can we apply the principle of obedience from Exodus 40:6 today?

5. How does Exodus 40:6 connect to the broader theme of worship in Exodus?

6. What does Exodus 40:6 teach about the significance of sacred spaces in worship?

7. What is the significance of the altar of burnt offering in Exodus 40:6?

8. How does Exodus 40:6 relate to the overall theme of worship in the Bible?

9. Why was the altar placed before the entrance to the tabernacle in Exodus 40:6?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 40?

11. Exodus 40:6–7 – Were there archaeological traces of the altar and utensils left behind that confirm this momentous event?

12. Exodus 26 - How do these tabernacle measurements align or conflict with other biblical or historical texts regarding the scale and feasibility of such a dwelling?

13. Why does Stephen cite a 400-year period in Acts 7:6 when Exodus 12:40 indicates 430 years of Israelite bondage?

14. In Leviticus 9:6, the text promises that God's glory will appear to the people. How can this be historically verified or tested in light of skepticism regarding supernatural events?
What Does Exodus 40:6 Mean
Place the altar of burnt offering

“Place the altar of burnt offering…” (Exodus 40:6)

• This altar was the sturdy bronze structure God had already detailed (Exodus 27:1-8).

• It received every daily sacrifice: the constant reminder that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

• The literal placement answers the spiritual need first; no worshiper approached God empty-handed or self-justified (Leviticus 1:3-9).

• For us, the altar foreshadows the cross—Christ is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).


In front of the entrance

“…in front of the entrance…” (Exodus 40:6)

• Before anyone could even peek inside, the altar stood between the sinner and the sanctuary, underscoring that access to God demands atonement (Exodus 29:42-43).

• This location kept sacrifice public and unavoidable; everyone entering the courtyard encountered the cost of fellowship.

• The order still speaks: repentance precedes relationship; cleansing precedes communion (1 John 1:7-9).


To the tabernacle

“…to the tabernacle…” (Exodus 40:6)

• “Tabernacle” refers to the larger tented structure where God’s glory dwelled (Exodus 40:17-19).

• The altar’s nearness to the tabernacle linked sacrifice with presence: forgiven people may now draw near (Psalm 65:4).

• Geography becomes theology—God is not distant but makes a way right at His doorstep (Ephesians 2:13).


The Tent of Meeting

“…the Tent of Meeting.” (Exodus 40:6)

• Same place, different emphasis: “meeting” highlights fellowship. God chose to “meet with you and to speak with you” here (Exodus 29:42).

• The sequence—altar first, then meeting—mirrors salvation’s pathway: Calvary, then communion (Hebrews 10:19-22).

• Jesus fulfills the Tent of Meeting: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). Through Him we enjoy continual, unbroken access (Hebrews 4:16).


summary

God situated the bronze altar squarely before the tabernacle door to teach an everlasting lesson: atonement opens the way to fellowship. Every Israelite saw that sin’s price had to be paid before stepping closer. Today we look to the greater altar—the cross—where Christ’s perfect sacrifice grants us confident entry into the true Tent of Meeting, God’s very presence.

(6) The altar of the burnt-offering.--See Exodus 27:1-8.

Verse 6. - The altar of burnt-offering. See Exodus 27:1-8; Exodus 38:1-7. Before the door of the tabernacle. In the court, directly in front of the entrance, but not close to it, since the place of the laver was between the entrance and the altar. See the next verse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

the altar
מִזְבַּ֣ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of burnt offering
הָעֹלָ֑ה (hā·‘ō·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

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

of the entrance
פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

to the tabernacle,
מִשְׁכַּ֥ן (miš·kan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4908: A residence, the Tabernacle

the Tent
אֹֽהֶל־ (’ō·hel-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting.
מוֹעֵֽד׃ (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting


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OT Law: Exodus 40:6 You shall set the altar of burnt (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 40:5
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