The final chapter of Exodus (Exodus 40:1-38) is, in the Hebrew Bible, the moment God's Presence fills the completed Tabernacle. The Targum Jonathan turns this moment into a prophetic map that stretches from the patriarchs to the end of days.
Every object Moses placed in the Tabernacle receives a symbolic explanation found nowhere in the Hebrew text. The table was set on the north side "because from thence are given riches; for from thence distil the drops of the latter rain upon the herbs, for the food of the inhabiters of the world." The candelabrum went on the south side "because there are the paths of the sun and of the moon, and the pathways of the luminaries; and thence are the treasures of wisdom which resemble the light." Its seven lamps correspond to "the seven stars which resemble the just, who shine unto eternity in their righteousness."
The incense altar represents "the wise who are diligent in the law" whose study has "a perfume fragrant as the sweet incense." The veil represents the righteous "who cover with their righteousness the people of the house of Israel." The burnt offering altar represents the generous who "spread the table before their doors and feed the poor." The laver holds water "for the sins of such as convert by repentance, and pour off their perversity like water."
The courtyard stands for "the merit of the fathers of the world, which encompasses the people of the house of Israel round about." The gate-hanging represents "the merit of the mothers of the world, which spreads at the gate of Gehinnom (the place of spiritual purification after death), that none may enter there of the souls of the children of the people of Israel." The matriarchs literally guard the entrance to hell.
The anointing oil is consecrated "on account of the crown of the kingdom of the house of Judah, and of the King Messiah, who is to redeem Israel at the end of the days." The altar consecration points to Elijah, "the great Priest who is to be sent at the end of the captivity." The laver is anointed on account of "Messiah son of Ephraim, who shall spring from him, by whose hand the house of Israel is to vanquish Gog and his confederates at the end of the days."
Then the Cloud of Glory descended, and the Shekinah (the Divine Presence) filled the Tabernacle so completely that even Moses could not enter. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night guided Israel through every journey. The Targum's Exodus ends where it began: with God physically present among His people, a light visible to every eye in the camp.