Exodus 40:20

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark.

Exodus 40:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 40:20

And he took and put the testimony into the ark
The ten commands, called the "testimony", because they testified and declared what was the will of God with respect to things to be done, or not done. The Targum of Jonathan says, he put the broken pieces of the tables into it; but what became of them, or were done with them, we nowhere read; and it does not appear that any other, but those that Moses hewed by the order of God, were put into the ark; see ( Deuteronomy 10:1-5 )

and set the staves on the ark;
that it might be ready to be carried whenever a remove was necessary:

and put the mercy seat above upon the ark;
together with the cherubim.

Exodus 40:20 In-Context

18 And Moses set up the tabernacle, and put in its bases, and fixed its boards, and put in its bars, and set up its pillars.

19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above over it; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark.

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and hung up the veil of separation, and covered the ark of the testimony; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

22 And he put the table in the tent of meeting, on the side of the tabernacle northward, outside the veil,