Exodus 25:10-21

The Ark

10 “Have them make an ark^[a] of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.^[b]

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, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other.

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

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

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

16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.

17 “Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.

18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.

19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.

20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.

21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.

Exodus 25:10-21 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. Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 1 Kings 6:19; Hebrews 9:4
• 2. ver 24; Exodus 30:3
• 3. ver 26; Exodus 30:4
• 4. ver 28; Exodus 27:6; Exodus 30:5; Exodus 37:28
• 5. Exodus 27:7; Exodus 40:20; 1 Chronicles 15:15
• 6. 1 Kings 8:8
• 7. S Exodus 16:34; Deuteronomy 31:26; Hebrews 9:4
• 8. ver 21; Leviticus 16:13; Romans 3:25
• 9. Exodus 26:1,31; Exodus 36:35; 1 Kings 6:23,27; 1 Kings 8:6; 2 Chronicles 3:10-13; Hebrews 9:5
• 10. S Genesis 3:24
• 11. Exodus 37:9; 1 Kings 8:7; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Hebrews 9:5
• 12. ver 10-15; Exodus 26:34; Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 10:5
• 13. ver 16; S Exodus 16:34; Hebrews 9:4

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, a chest
• [b]. That is, about 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide and high or about 1.1 meters long and 68 centimeters wide and high; similarly in verse 17