Exodus 25:10-22

The Ark of the Covenant

10 And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. ^{[a] 1}

11 Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.

13 And make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it.

15 The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.

16 And place inside the ark the Testimony, ^[b] which I will give you.

The Mercy Seat

17 And you are to construct a mercy seat ^[c] of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. ^{[d] 2}

18 Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat,

19 one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold.

20 And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

21 Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.

22 And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; ^[e] I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Exodus 25:10-22 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

• 1. (Exodus 37:1–5)
• 2. (Exodus 37:6–9)

Footnotes

• [a]. The ark was approximately 3.75 feet long, 2.25 feet wide, and 2.25 feet high (114.3 centimeters long, 68.6 centimeters wide, and 68.6 centimeters high).
• [b]. The Testimony refers to the stone tablets in the ark of the covenant inscribed with the Ten Commandments; also in verses 21 and 22.
• [c]. Or an atonement cover; here and throughout Exodus
• [d]. The mercy seat was approximately 3.75 feet long and 2.25 feet wide (114.3 centimeters long and 68.6 centimeters wide).
• [e]. That is, the ark of the covenant