Exodus 25:7-17

7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the 1ephod and for the breastpiece.
8 And let them make me a 2sanctuary, that 3I may dwell in their midst.
9 4Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the 5tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

The Ark of the Covenant

10 6"They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits[a] and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.
11 You shall overlay it with 7pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it.
12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its 8four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.
13 You shall make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
14 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark by them.
15 The 9poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
16 10And you shall put into the ark the 11testimony that I shall give you.
17 12"You shall make a mercy seat[b] of pure gold. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth.

Exodus 25:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 25

In this chapter an order is given for a freewill offering towards various things for the worship and service of God, and the materials to be offered, which would be useful and acceptable, are mentioned particularly, Ex 25:1-7, as also another order to build a sanctuary for God, after a model that he would give, Ex 25:8,9, and, an ark to put in the law on tables of stone, the fashion of which, and the various things belonging to it, are described, Ex 25:10-16, and a mercy seat with cherubim on it to be set over the ark, where the Lord promises to meet Moses and commune with him, Ex 25:17-22 and a table with various appurtenances to it to place the shewbread on, Ex 25:23-30 and a candlestick of gold, whose parts are described, and all the instruments relative to it, Ex 25:31-40.

Cross References 12

  • 1. Exodus 28:4, 15
  • 2. Hebrews 9:1, 2; See Exodus 36:1-4
  • 3. Exodus 29:45; 1 Kings 6:13; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:3
  • 4. ver. 40
  • 5. Exodus 26:1
  • 6. Exodus 37:1-3; Deuteronomy 10:3; Hebrews 9:4
  • 7. ver. 24, 25; Exodus 30:3, 4; Exodus 37:2
  • 8. Exodus 37:3
  • 9. 1 Kings 8:8
  • 10. [Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9]
  • 11. See Exodus 16:34
  • 12. Exodus 37:6; Hebrews 9:5

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
  • [b]. Or cover
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.