Verses 9-15, as stated above, may be considered a separate section, since they deal with the anointing of all the parts of the tabernacle, including the priests. Then you shall take, literally “And you shall take,” is still addressed to Moses, using the singular you. The anointing oil is described in 30.23-25 and is mentioned again in 37.29. And anoint the tabernacle, literally “and you shall anoint the mishkan,” suggests that Moses was to apply the anointing oil on the tent itself. (See the comment on anoint at 28.41.) And all that is in it refers to all the different parts of the tabernacle.

And consecrate it is literally “and you shall make it holy.” This is probably not a separate action from that of anointing but rather the result of it. (See the comment at 28.41.) Good News Translation has “Dedicate … by anointing,” which is the same interpretation followed by Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and others. And all its furniture uses the general term for “accessories” (New Jerusalem Bible), “furnishings” (New International Version), “equipment” (Good News Translation), or “everything in it” (Contemporary English Version). This includes the earlier reference to all that is in it. And it shall become holy means that the entire tabernacle and every part of it will be set apart for sacred use. Contemporary English Version expresses this meaning with “dedicate the tent and everything in it to me.” This implies that it will acquire a special quality of taboo so that it must be handled only by those appointed to do so.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .