Devarim 31:25

25 That Moshe commanded the Levi’im, which bore the Aron Brit Hashem, saying,

Devarim 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.

Devarim 31:25 In-Context

23 And he gave Yehoshua ben Nun a charge, and said, Chazak! And of a good courage; for thou shalt bring the Bnei Yisroel into Ha’Aretz which I swore unto them; and I will be with thee. [Isa 49:8]

24 And it came to pass, when Moshe had made an end of writing the divrei HaTorah hazot in a sefer, until they were finished,

25 That Moshe commanded the Levi’im, which bore the Aron Brit Hashem, saying,

26 Take this sefer haTorah, and put it at the side of the Aron Brit Hashem Eloheichem, that it may be there for an ed (witness) against thee.

27 For I know thy meri (rebellion), and thy oref hakasheh (stiff neck); behold, while I am yet alive with you today, ye have been mamrim (rebellious) against Hashem; and how much more after my death!