Exodus 40:20
He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The placement of the poles is surprisingly significant; they were never to be removed, signifying that God’s presence was always ready to move with His people. This also underscores that the Ark, containing the sacred testimony (the Ten Commandments), was not a static piece of furniture, but the very heart of their journey.
Following the meticulous instructions from God, Moses is now assembling the Ark of the Covenant itself, placing the sacred stone tablets—the testimony of God's law—inside. He then attaches the carrying poles, ensuring it's ready for transport, and finally crowns the ark with the mercy seat, completing the holiest piece of furniture in preparation for the Tabernacle's dedication.
Understand the original words
eduth · Hebrew Noun
The moral or covenantal law of God, particularly referring to the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) inscribed on tablets of stone, which serve as a witness or standard for God’s holiness and Israel’s obligations.
aron · Hebrew Noun
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law; it served as the footstool of God's throne on earth and the place where His presence uniquely manifested.
kapporet · Hebrew Noun
The gold lid covering the Ark of the Covenant, where the blood of the atonement offering was sprinkled; it represents the place of atonement where God met His people in mercy rather than judgment.
This passage directly references Moses putting the tables of stone, representing God's testimony, into the ark, echoing Exodus 40:20 and highlighting the permanence of God's law.
Hebrews 9:4The New Testament author explains that within the Ark of the Covenant were the golden pot that had manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant, adding detail to what was associated with the 'testimony' in Exodus 40:20.
1 Kings 8:9This verse describes Solomon's dedication of the Temple and notes that at that time, nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone, reinforcing the primary content placed there as described in Exodus 40:20.
Exodus 25:10-22This earlier section of Exodus details the original command for the construction of the Ark and the placement of the 'testimony' within it, providing the divine blueprint that Moses meticulously followed in Exodus 40:20.
cambridgeExodus 40:20: "And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:"
20 . See Exodus 25:16 ; Exodus 25:21 b; Exodus 25:14-15 ; Exodus 25:21 a. For the ‘testimony’ (i.e. the tables of stone with the Decalogue), see on Exodus 25:16 .
pulpitExodus 40:20: "And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:"
Verse 20. - The testimony - i.e., the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:16; Exodus 31:18). Set the staves on the ark. "Put the staves," that is, "into the rings, and left them there" (Exodus 25:14). Put the mercy seat above upon the ark. See Exodus 25:21.
The placement of the poles is surprisingly significant; they were never to be removed, signifying that God’s presence was always ready to move with His people. This also underscores that the Ark, containing the sacred testimony (the Ten Commandments), was not a static piece of furniture, but the very heart of their journey.
Following the meticulous instructions from God, Moses is now assembling the Ark of the Covenant itself, placing the sacred stone tablets—the testimony of God's law—inside. He then attaches the carrying poles, ensuring it's ready for transport, and finally crowns the ark with the mercy seat, completing the holiest piece of furniture in preparation for the Tabernacle's dedication.
Following the meticulous instructions from God, Moses is now assembling the Ark of the Covenant itself, placing the sacred stone tablets—the testimony of God's law—inside. He then attaches the carrying poles, ensuring it's ready for transport, and finally crowns the ark with the mercy seat, completing the holiest piece of furniture in preparation for the Tabernacle's dedication.
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"He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark." — The placement of the poles is surprisingly significant; they were never to be removed, signifying that God’s presence was always ready to move with His people. This also underscores that the Ark, con…
