Exodus 25:14-24

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.

19 Mold the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold.

20 The cherubim will face each other and look down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they will protect it.

21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark.

22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

23 “Then make a table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

24 Overlay it with pure gold and run a gold molding around the edge.

Exodus 25:14-24 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.

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.
• [b]. Hebrew 2.5 cubits [115 centimeters] long and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] wide.
• [c]. Or Ark of the Testimony.
• [d]. Hebrew 2 cubits [92 centimeters] long, 1 cubit [46 centimeters] wide, and 1.5 cubits [69 centimeters] high.