Deuteronomy 31:25

25 He gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the LORD's promise:

Deuteronomy 31:25 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:25

That Moses commanded the Levites
These were not the common Levites, but the priests who were also Levites, to whom the law was given, ( Deuteronomy 31:9 ) ; and none but they might touch the ark, or go so near it as, they are bid to do, to put the law on the side of it; so Aben Ezra; it follows,

which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord;
as the priests are said to do, (See Gill on Deuteronomy 31:9); for though in journeying the Kohathites carried it, yet not until it was covered by the priests, for they must not touch it; as these must do when they put the law on the side of it, as they are ordered in ( Deuteronomy 31:26 ) .

saying;
as follows.

Deuteronomy 31:25 In-Context

23 The LORD gave this command to Joshua, son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, because you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you."

24 Finally, Moses finished writing all the words of these teachings in a book.

25 He gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the LORD's promise:

26 "Take this Book of Teachings, and put it next to the ark of the promise of the LORD your God, where it will be a witness against you.

27 I know how rebellious you are. You are impossible to deal with. While I am alive and still with you, you are rebelling against the LORD. How much more rebellious will you be after I die?