And place inside the arkThe Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, symbolizing God's presence among His people. It was housed in the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, signifying the most sacred space where God would meet with His people. The act of placing items inside the Ark underscores the importance and sanctity of its contents. The Ark itself is a type of Christ, representing God's covenant and presence with humanity.
the Testimony,
The "Testimony" refers to the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments are central to the covenant between God and Israel, serving as a divine standard for moral and spiritual conduct. The term "Testimony" emphasizes the role of these commandments as a witness to the covenant relationship. The presence of the Testimony within the Ark highlights the foundational role of God's law in guiding His people.
which I will give you.
This phrase indicates the divine origin of the commandments. God Himself provided these laws, underscoring their authority and significance. The future tense "will give" points to the forthcoming event on Mount Sinai, where Moses would receive the tablets. This divine giving is a foreshadowing of the New Covenant, where God promises to write His laws on the hearts of His people, as seen inJeremiah 31:33 and fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai.
2.
The Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest built by the Israelites according to God's instructions, meant to house the Testimony (the tablets of the Law).
3.
The TestimonyRefers to the tablets of the Ten Commandments, which are the covenantal laws given by God to the Israelites.
4.
Mount SinaiThe mountain where Moses received the Law from God, including the instructions for building the Ark.
5.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were to follow the laws and commandments given to them as part of their covenant with God.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of God's WordThe placement of the Testimony inside the Ark signifies the central role of God's Word in the life of His people. Just as the Ark was central to Israel's worship, God's Word should be central in our lives.
The Permanence of God's CovenantThe Testimony represents God's unchanging covenant with His people. We are reminded of the faithfulness of God and the enduring nature of His promises.
Reverence for the SacredThe careful instructions for the Ark and the placement of the Testimony within it teach us to approach God with reverence and respect for His holiness.
Obedience to God's CommandsThe Testimony was a constant reminder to the Israelites of their obligation to obey God's laws. Similarly, we are called to live in obedience to God's Word.
God's Presence Among His PeopleThe Ark symbolized God's presence with the Israelites. Today, we are assured of God's presence through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 25:16?
2.How does Exodus 25:16 emphasize the importance of God's covenant with Israel?
3.What role does the Ark play in preserving God's commandments according to Exodus 25:16?
4.How can we ensure God's teachings are central in our lives today?
5.What connections exist between Exodus 25:16 and the New Testament teachings on obedience?
6.How can we apply the principle of safeguarding God's word in our homes?
7.What is the significance of the "Testimony" placed in the Ark in Exodus 25:16?
8.How does Exodus 25:16 relate to the concept of divine law?
9.Why was the Ark of the Covenant central to Israelite worship according to Exodus 25:16?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 25?
11.What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?
12.What is the meaning of Hidden Manna?
13.What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?
14.What is the meaning of Biblical stewardship?What Does Exodus 25:16 Mean
And placeThe opening words highlight direct obedience: God speaks, Moses acts.
•Exodus 40:20 shows Moses following through—“Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark.”
•James 1:22 echoes the same principle: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
When the Lord issues a command, His people respond without delay or debate, trusting that every detail has purpose.
inside the arkGod specifies the location, underscoring the Ark’s unique role as the earthly throne of His presence (Exodus 25:10-11).
•Hebrews 9:4 reminds us the Ark held “the golden jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the tablets of the covenant,” all tangible proofs of God’s faithfulness.
•Numbers 7:89 pictures the Lord speaking from above the mercy seat, showing why what went inside mattered—what is treasured at the center shapes worship.
the Testimony“The Testimony” refers to the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, the core terms of the covenant.
•Exodus 31:18 notes God “gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, written with the finger of God,” revealing divine authorship.
•Deuteronomy 10:2 calls these tablets “the words that were on the first tablets,” ensuring continuity after the golden-calf breach.
Placed in the Ark, the Testimony functioned as:
– A perpetual witness to God’s righteous standards.
– A reminder of Israel’s call to holy living (Psalm 19:7-9).
– A guarantee that mercy (the atonement cover) rests on top of law, pointing forward to Christ’s perfect fulfillment (Romans 3:25).
which I will give youGod alone supplies the covenant terms; humanity does not negotiate them.
•Exodus 24:12—“I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and the commandment I have written for their instruction.”
•Exodus 32:15-16 underscores divine origin: “The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was God’s writing.”
Because the Testimony comes from Him, it is:
– Authoritative, demanding allegiance (Psalm 119:89).
– Complete, requiring no human amendment (Proverbs 30:5-6).
– Gifted, not earned—grace precedes law (Exodus 20:2).
summaryExodus 25:16 delivers more than a storage instruction; it weaves obedience, worship, revelation, and grace into one sentence. God commands Moses to place His own divinely written covenant inside the Ark—the very heart of Israel’s sanctuary—so every generation would know that at the center of life with God stands His trustworthy word, protected by His mercy and pointing to the coming Redeemer who would keep that word perfectly on our behalf.
(16)
The testimony which I shall give thee.--The two tables of stone were called "the Testimony" (comp.
Exodus 16:34), as being God's witness against sin (
Deuteronomy 31:26). As containing them, the ark was called "the ark of the testimony" (
Exodus 25:22;
Exodus 26:34;
Exodus 30:6;
Exodus 30:26, &c.;
Numbers 4:5;
Numbers 7:89;
Joshua 4:16). . . .
Verse 16. -
The testimony which I will give thee, is undoubtedly the Decalogue, or in other words, the two tables of stone, written with the finger of God, and forming his testimony against sin. (Compare
Deuteronomy 31:26, 27.) The main intention of the ark was to be a repository in which the two tables should be laid up.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And putוְנָתַתָּ֖(wə·nā·ṯa·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setintoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe arkהָאָרֹ֑ן(hā·’ā·rōn)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727:A chest, arkthe Testimony,הָעֵדֻ֔ת(hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715:Testimonywhichאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatI will giveאֶתֵּ֖ן(’et·tên)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setyou.אֵלֶֽיךָ׃(’ê·le·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to
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OT Law: Exodus 25:16 You shall put the testimony which (Exo. Ex) 
