(5) Thou shalt set the altar of gold . . . before the ark.--Not inside the vail, but outside, in the Holy Place; nearer, however, to the vail than either the table or the candlestick. (See Note 1 on Exodus 30:6.)

The hanging of the door--i.e., the curtain at the entrance to the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:36; Exodus 36:37, &c.).

Verse 5. - The altar of gold. See Exodus 30:1-10; Exodus 37:25-28. Before the ark of the testimony - i.e., "before the veil, opposite the ark of the testimony," not within the veil. See the comment on Exodus 30:6. The hanging of the door - i.e., "the curtain which closed the front or eastern end of the tabernacle." (See Exodus 26:36; Exodus 36:37.)

40:1-15 When a new year begins, we should seek to serve God better than the year before. In half a year the tabernacle was completed. When the hearts of numbers are earnest in a good cause, much may be done in a short time; and when the commandments of God are continually attended to, as the rule of working, all will be done well. The high-priesthood was in the family of Aaron till Christ came, and in Him, the substance of all these shadows, it continues for ever.And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony,.... Not in the most holy place where the ark was, but over against it in the holy place:

and put the hanging of the door of the tabernacle; the door of entrance into the holy place, where there were to be no other things set but those now mentioned, the shewbread table, the candlestick, and the altar of incense; and these being brought in, the hanging was to be put up, which hid the sight of the above things, and forbid the entrance of the people there.