Exodus 40:20
◄  Exodus 40:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
He took the tablets of the covenant law and placed them in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it.

New Living Translation (©2007)
He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark's cover--the place of atonement--on top of it.

English Standard Version (©2001)
He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then he took the testimony and put it into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Moses took the testimony and placed it in the ark, and attached the poles to the ark. He set the mercy seat on top of the ark.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then he took the Testimony, put it into the ark, and placed the poles on the ark. He then put the Mercy Seat on top of the ark.

NET Bible (©2006)
He took the testimony and put it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He took the words of God's promise and put them in the ark. He put the poles on the ark and placed the throne of mercy on top of the ark.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark:

American King James Version
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark:

American Standard Version
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he put the testimony in the ark, thrusting bars underneath, and the oracle above.

Darby Bible Translation
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark.

English Revised Version
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

Webster's Bible Translation
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staffs on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:

World English Bible
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.

Young's Literal Translation
And he taketh and putteth the testimony unto the ark, and setteth the staves on the ark, and putteth the mercy-seat on the ark above;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

40:16-33 When the tabernacle and the furniture of it were prepared, they did not put off rearing it till they came to Canaan; but, in obedience to the will of God, they set it up in the midst of their camp. Those who are unsettled in the world, must not think that this will excuse want of religion; as if it were enough to begin to serve God when they begin to be settled in the world. No; a tabernacle for God is very needful, even in a wilderness, especially as we may be in another world before we come to fix in this. And we may justly fear lest we should deceive ourselves with a form of godliness. The thought that so few entered Canaan, should warn young persons especially, not to put off the care of their souls.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - The testimony - i.e., the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:16; Exodus 31:18). Set the staves on the ark. "Put the staves," that is, "into the rings, and left them there" (Exodus 25:14). Put the mercy seat above upon the ark. See Exodus 25:21.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he took and put the testimony into the ark,.... The ten commands, called the "testimony", because they testified and declared what was the will of God with respect to things to be done, or not done. The Targum of Jonathan says, he put the broken pieces of the tables into it; but what became of them, or were done with them, we nowhere read; and it does not appear that any other, but those that Moses hewed by the order of God, were put into the ark; see Deuteronomy 10:1.

and set the staves on the ark; that it might be ready to be carried whenever a remove was necessary:

and put the mercy seat above upon the ark; together with the cherubim.

Exodus 40:20 Parallel Commentaries

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The Tabernacle Set Up
…19And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above on it; as the LORD commanded Moses. 20And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark: 21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. …

Hebrews 9:4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Exodus 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved.
Exodus 25:16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.
Exodus 25:21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.
Exodus 26:34 Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.
Exodus 40:19 Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, as the LORD commanded him.
Deuteronomy 10:5 Then I came back down the mountain and put the tablets in the ark I had made, as the LORD commanded me, and they are there now.
1 Kings 8:9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
1 Chronicles 15:3 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it.
2 Chronicles 5:10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.