Exodus 25:16
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
Original Language Analysis
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
H5414
אֶתֵּ֖ן
And thou shalt put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:26Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.1 Kings 8:9There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;Exodus 16:34As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
Historical Context
The stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18) would be placed inside the Ark after Moses' second ascent of Sinai. These tablets testified to God's moral standards and covenantal relationship with Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God's throne rests upon His 'testimony' (law)?
- How did Christ embody the law that the Ark contained?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Ark's contents: 'the testimony which I shall give thee.' The Hebrew עֵדוּת (edut, testimony) refers to the tablets of the law, God's witness to His righteous standards and covenant faithfulness. The Ark becomes God's throne because He rules based on His revealed truth. Christ fulfilled this law perfectly, becoming the living embodiment of God's testimony (John 1:17).