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)
It's easy to overlook that the "testimony" placed in the ark was specifically the stone tablets bearing God's commandments. This wasn't just a symbolic act; it was about safeguarding the very foundation of God's covenant and law right at the heart of His dwelling place among His people.
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)
After meticulously assembling the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses now places the most sacred item, the Ark of the Covenant, within its inner sanctuary. He carefully puts the stone tablets containing God's law—the testimony—into the Ark, attaches the carrying poles, and places the mercy seat on top, completing the Ark's preparation before the divine presence fills the Tabernacle.
What does it mean for God's commands to be a 'testimony'? This isn't just a list of rules, but something much deeper.
The 'testimony' placed inside the Ark of the Covenant refers to the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. These commandments were called the 'testimony' because they testified to God's will and His covenant demands for His people.
God's Standards
Placing the testimony into the ark signified that God's law was central to His presence among His people. It wasn't hidden away, but was the very foundation of the sacred space.
Covenant Relationship
This act also underscored the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The law was the expression of God's faithfulness and the standard for Israel's obedience within that relationship.
Why were the poles always in the ark? It reveals something crucial about God's relationship with His people.
The staves (long poles) were to be inserted into the rings on the sides of the Ark and were never to be removed. This detail is significant because:
Constant Readiness
It ensured the Ark was always ready to be moved. The Israelites were a nomadic people for many years, and God's presence, symbolized by the Ark, moved with them.
God's Journey with His People
Ask a follow-up
This readiness speaks volumes about God's commitment to journeying with His people. His presence wasn't static; it was dynamic and involved in their daily lives and travels. The staves represent God's active participation in their journey.
What is the 'mercy seat' and why was it placed on top of the Ark, directly over the law?
The 'mercy seat' (or kapporet) was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. It was a place of immense significance for several reasons:
Atonement and Forgiveness
This was the specific spot where the blood of the atonement sacrifice was sprinkled once a year on the Day of Atonement. It represented God's provision for covering the sins of His people, demonstrating His mercy.
God's Dwelling Place
It also served as God's throne or footstool between the cherubim that adorned the lid. This position directly above the stone tablets of the law powerfully symbolized that God's rule and presence were characterized by mercy, not just judgment. His grace met His law right there, at the heart of His dwelling place.
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 parallels Exodus 40:20 by stating that Moses placed the tablets of the law into the ark, just as the Lord commanded. It highlights that the 'testimony' in the ark was God's covenant law.
Hebrews 9:4This New Testament passage explains what was inside the Ark of the Covenant, echoing Exodus 40:20 by mentioning the golden pot that had manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. It shows how the Ark, as described in Exodus, pointed to deeper spiritual realities.
1 Samuel 4:4This verse shows the Ark of the Covenant being brought into battle, emphasizing its significance as God's presence with His people. The careful placement described in Exodus 40:20 highlights its role as the central piece of God's dwelling.
Psalm 85:10This psalm speaks of righteousness and peace kissing each other, and faithfulness springing up from the earth, which finds a tangible representation in the Ark's placement. The 'testimony' (God's law) and the 'mercy seat' (God's mercy) together embody God's covenant faithfulness meeting humanity.
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.
It's easy to overlook that the "testimony" placed in the ark was specifically the stone tablets bearing God's commandments. This wasn't just a symbolic act; it was about safeguarding the very foundation of God's covenant and law right at the heart of His dwelling place among His people.
After meticulously assembling the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses now places the most sacred item, the Ark of the Covenant, within its inner sanctuary. He carefully puts the stone tablets containing God's law—the testimony—into the Ark, attaches the carrying poles, and places the mercy seat on top, completing the Ark's preparation before the divine presence fills the Tabernacle.
After meticulously assembling the Tabernacle according to God's exact specifications, Moses now places the most sacred item, the Ark of the Covenant, within its inner sanctuary. He carefully puts the stone tablets containing God's law—the testimony—into the Ark, attaches the carrying poles, and places the mercy seat on top, completing the Ark's preparation before the divine presence fills the Tabernacle.
"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." — It's easy to overlook that the "testimony" placed in the ark was specifically the stone tablets bearing God's commandments. This wasn't just a symbolic act; it was about safeguarding the very foundat…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026