Exodus 25:16

16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.

Exodus 25:16 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 25:16

And thou shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall
give thee.
] Which was the principal use of it: by the "testimony" is meant the law, written on two tables of stone; so called, because it was a testification of the mind and will of God, what he would have done or omitted; and as the Israelites had declared their approbation of it, and assent unto it, and had promised obedience to it, therefore, should they transgress it, it would be a testimony against them: now this was put into the ark, and preserved there, see ( Deuteronomy 10:1-5 ) , which may signify that the law was in the heart of Christ, and which he undertook to fulfil, and with pleasure did it; that he is become the fulfilling end of the law for righteousness to them that believe in him; and that it remains with him as a rule of walk and conversation to his people, so far as it is of a moral, holy, and spiritual nature.

Exodus 25:16 In-Context

14 Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

15 These carrying poles must stay inside the rings; never remove them.

16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.

17 “Then make the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It must be 45 inches long and 27 inches wide.

18 Then make two cherubim from hammered gold, and place them on the two ends of the atonement cover.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew Place inside the Ark the Testimony; similarly in 25:21 . The Hebrew word for “testimony” refers to the terms of the ’s covenant with Israel as written on stone tablets, and also to the covenant itself.