Exodus 25:16

16 You shall put into the ark the covenant that I shall give 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 And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry the ark.
15 The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
16 You shall put into the ark the covenant that I shall give you.
17 Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width.
18 You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or [treaty], or [testimony]; Heb [eduth]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.