The Meaning of Exodus 40:8 Explained

Exodus 40:8

KJV: And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

YLT: 'And thou hast set the court round about, and hast placed the covering of the gate of the court,

Darby: And thou shalt fix the court round about, and hang up the curtain at the gate of the court.

ASV: And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt set up  the court  round about,  and hang up  the hanging  at the court  gate. 

What does Exodus 40:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 40:1-16 - Directions For Erecting The Tabernacle
On the new year's day of the second year of the exodus Moses was bidden to rear up the Tabernacle, and with his own hand to place each article in its specified position. With what joy must those commands have fallen on His ears! We are reminded of the words of Robert Moffat, when he was completing the translation of the entire Bible into the language of the Botswana: "When I had finished the last verse I could hardly believe that I was in the world. My emotions found vent by my falling on my knees and thanking God for His grace and goodness in giving me strength to accomplish my task." Under similar circumstances Dr. Paton says that he pitched his bat into the air and danced round and round his printing-press. Let us build our life, piece by piece, in the same spirit-not with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious stones-so that at the close we may be able to say, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Exodus 40:8 mean?

And You shall set up - the court all around and hang up the screen at gate the court
וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ אֶת־ הֶחָצֵ֖ר סָבִ֑יב וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔ מָסַ֖ךְ שַׁ֥עַר הֶחָצֵֽר

וְשַׂמְתָּ֥  And  You  shall  set  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הֶחָצֵ֖ר  the  court 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: חָצֵר 
Sense: court, enclosure.
סָבִ֑יב  all  around 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.
וְנָ֣תַתָּ֔  and  hang  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
מָסַ֖ךְ  the  screen  at 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָסָךְ  
Sense: covering, rag, screen.
שַׁ֥עַר  gate 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שַׁעַר  
Sense: gate.
הֶחָצֵֽר  the  court 
Parse: Article, Noun, common singular
Root: חָצֵר 
Sense: court, enclosure.