Exodus 40:23

Modern

He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Traditional

And he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord; as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Literal

And he arranged on it an arrangement of bread before the face of YHWH, as YHWH had commanded Moses.

Latin

…ordinatis coram propositionis panibus, sicut præceperat Dominus Moysi.

Hebrew

English

He arranged the bread on it before the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.

The report on setting up the Tent of Meeting starts with the Lord's commands (40:1–15). It continues with how Moses obeyed those commands (40:16–33).
The repeated statement that "Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded" (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32) strongly contrasts with Aaron’s self-serving statement in 32:22–24. God wants to share his presence with us, but his holiness requires us to give up our own efforts to secure his presence and gifts.

Theme notes and profiles

Exodus 25:30
And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
Exodus 40:4
Then bring in the table and set out its arrangement; bring in the lampstand as well, and set up its lamps.
Matthew 12:4
He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.
Hebrews 9:2
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt