Exodus 40:20 - He took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.
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What does "Exodus 40:20" mean?
Exodus 40:20 describes the final steps in the construction and setup of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Let's break down each part of the verse:
"He took and put the testimony into the ark..." "He" refers to Moses. "The testimony" refers to the two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. God gave these commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, and they were a fundamental part of the covenant between God and Israel. Placing them inside the Ark signified their supreme importance and the Ark as the repository of God's law.
"...and set the poles on the ark..." The Ark had rings on its sides, and long poles were inserted through these rings. These poles were for carrying the Ark. They were never to be removed (Exodus 25:15), ensuring the Ark could be transported without being touched directly by human hands. This emphasized the Ark's sacredness.
"...and put the mercy seat above on the ark." The "mercy seat" (also known as the "atonement cover") was a solid gold lid that covered the Ark. It was the most holy part of the Ark. It was here that the high priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to atone for the sins of the people. The mercy seat symbolized God's presence and his willingness to forgive sins through sacrifice. It covered the "testimony" (the law), signifying that God's mercy covers the transgressions of the law.
In summary, the verse describes:
The proper placement of the Ten Commandments inside the Ark, showing their foundational importance to the covenant.
The insertion of the carrying poles, ensuring the Ark's sacredness during transport.
The positioning of the mercy seat above the Ark, symbolizing God's presence and His provision of atonement for sin.
This verse highlights the key elements of the Ark of the Covenant: God's law, His presence, and His mercy. The Ark served as a central symbol of God's covenant relationship with Israel.
Exodus 40:20 - He took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.
What does "Exodus 40:20" mean?
Exodus 40:20 describes the final steps in the construction and setup of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Let's break down each part of the verse:
"He took and put the testimony into the ark..." "He" refers to Moses. "The testimony" refers to the two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. God gave these commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, and they were a fundamental part of the covenant between God and Israel. Placing them inside the Ark signified their supreme importance and the Ark as the repository of God's law.
"...and set the poles on the ark..." The Ark had rings on its sides, and long poles were inserted through these rings. These poles were for carrying the Ark. They were never to be removed (Exodus 25:15), ensuring the Ark could be transported without being touched directly by human hands. This emphasized the Ark's sacredness.
"...and put the mercy seat above on the ark." The "mercy seat" (also known as the "atonement cover") was a solid gold lid that covered the Ark. It was the most holy part of the Ark. It was here that the high priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to atone for the sins of the people. The mercy seat symbolized God's presence and his willingness to forgive sins through sacrifice. It covered the "testimony" (the law), signifying that God's mercy covers the transgressions of the law.
In summary, the verse describes:
The proper placement of the Ten Commandments inside the Ark, showing their foundational importance to the covenant.
The insertion of the carrying poles, ensuring the Ark's sacredness during transport.
The positioning of the mercy seat above the Ark, symbolizing God's presence and His provision of atonement for sin.
This verse highlights the key elements of the Ark of the Covenant: God's law, His presence, and His mercy. The Ark served as a central symbol of God's covenant relationship with Israel.