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 had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

◄ 1 Kings 8:9 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
Nothing was in the Ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Mount Sinai, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel when they left the land of Egypt.

English Standard Version
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

King James Bible
There 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.

New King James Version
Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets 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.

New American Standard Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

NASB 1995
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

NASB 1977
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Legacy Standard Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses laid there at Horeb, where Yahweh cut a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Amplified Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb (Sinai), where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Christian Standard Bible
Nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Contemporary English Version
The only things kept in the chest were the two flat stones Moses had put there when the LORD made his agreement with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, after bringing them out of Egypt.

English Revised Version
There 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a promise to the Israelites after they left Egypt.

Good News Translation
There was nothing inside the Covenant Box except the two stone tablets which Moses had placed there at Mount Sinai, when the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were coming from Egypt.

International Standard Version
The ark was empty except for the two stone tablets that Moses had placed there at Horeb when the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelis after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

Majority Standard Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

NET Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed there in Horeb. It was there that the LORD made an agreement with the Israelites after he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

New Heart English Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses deposited there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

World English Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
There is nothing in the Ark, only the two tablets of stone which Moses put there in Horeb when YHWH covenanted with the sons of Israel in their going out of the land of Egypt.

Young's Literal Translation
There is nothing in the ark, only the two tables of stone which Moses put there in Horeb, when Jehovah covenanted with the sons of Israel in their going out of the land of Egypt.

Smith's Literal Translation
Nothing in the ark only the two tables of stones that Moses set down there in Horeb which Jehovah cut out with the sons of Israel in their coming out of the land of Egypt.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Now in the ark there was nothing else but 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now inside the ark, there was nothing other than the two tablets of stone, which Moses had placed in it at Horeb, when the Lord formed a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they departed from the land of Egypt.

New American Bible
There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they went forth from the land of Egypt.

New Revised Standard Version
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had placed there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone, which Moses had put there at Horeb when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There was nothing in the Ark except two tablets of stone that Moshe put there in Khoreeb, when LORD JEHOVAH established a covenant with the children of Israel when they went out from Egypt.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
There 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There was nothing in the ark except the two tables of stone, the tables of the covenant which Moses put there in Choreb, which tables the Lord made as a covenant with the children of Israel in their going forth from the land of Egypt.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Ark Enters the Temple
…8The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Exodus 25:16
And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

Exodus 25:21-22
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 10:2
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.”

Deuteronomy 10:5
and I went back down the mountain and placed the tablets in the ark I had made, as the LORD had commanded me; and there they have remained.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 40:20
Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark.

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 had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.

Exodus 16:34
And Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony, to be preserved just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Numbers 17:10
The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

Deuteronomy 31:26
“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.

Jeremiah 3:16
“In those days, when you multiply and increase in the land,” declares the LORD, “they will no longer discuss the ark of the covenant of the LORD. It will never come to mind, and no one will remember it or miss it, nor will another one be made.

2 Chronicles 6:11
And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with the children of Israel.”

Exodus 34:28
So Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

Deuteronomy 4:13
He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.

Deuteronomy 9:9
When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water.

Treasury of Scripture

There 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.

nothing

Exodus 25:21
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

Deuteronomy 10:2
And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.

2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

in the ark

Exodus 16:33
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.

Numbers 17:10
And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

Hebrews 9:4
Which 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;

put there at Horeb

Exodus 25:21
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

Exodus 40:20
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:

Deuteronomy 10:2,5
And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark…

when.

1 Kings 8:21
And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 24:8
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Exodus 34:27,28
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel…

the cloud

Exodus 13:21
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Exodus 14:24
And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,

Exodus 16:10
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

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1 Kings 8

1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings

Berean Study Bible

There was nothing in the ark
The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest, was central to Israel's worship and symbolized God's presence among His people. The phrase emphasizes the singular importance of what was contained within. Historically, the Ark was a focal point of Israelite worship, representing God's throne on earth. The absence of other items highlights the purity and singularity of God's covenant with Israel.

except the two stone tablets
These tablets, inscribed with the Ten Commandments, were the physical embodiment of God's law. The Hebrew word for "tablets" (לוּחוֹת, luchot) signifies not just physical objects but the divine law itself. The presence of only these tablets in the Ark underscores the foundational role of God's commandments in the life of Israel.

that Moses had placed in it
Moses, as the mediator of the covenant, placed the tablets in the Ark. This act signifies the transmission of divine law through a chosen leader. Moses' role as a prophet and leader is central to Israel's identity, and his actions here symbolize obedience and reverence for God's commands.

at Horeb
Horeb, another name for Mount Sinai, is where God revealed Himself to Moses and the Israelites. This location is pivotal in Israel's history, marking the moment when they became God's covenant people. The mention of Horeb connects the physical tablets to the divine encounter and the establishment of the covenant.

where the LORD made a covenant
The covenant at Horeb was a binding agreement between God and Israel, establishing them as His chosen people. The Hebrew word for "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit) implies a deep, relational bond. This covenant is central to the narrative of the Old Testament, reflecting God's faithfulness and Israel's call to obedience.

with the Israelites
The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were chosen to be God's people. This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of the covenant, binding not just individuals but the entire nation to God. It highlights the collective identity and responsibility of the people in maintaining their relationship with God.

after they came out of the land of Egypt
The exodus from Egypt is a defining moment in Israel's history, symbolizing liberation and divine intervention. This phrase reminds the reader of God's deliverance and the beginning of a new identity for the Israelites as a free people under God's law. It underscores the transformative power of God's actions in history.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) There was nothing.--The emphasis of this (repeated in 2Chronicles 5:10) is remarkable, and seems intended to make it clear that the various things laid up "before the testimony"--the pot of manna (Exodus 16:33-34), the rod of Aaron (Numbers 17:10), the copy of the Law (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)--were not in the ark, but (as in the last case is actually stated), at "the side of the ark." Unless any change afterwards took place--which is highly improbable--this clear statement must determine the interpretation of the well-known passage in the Epistle to the Hebrews (1Kings 9:4), in which no stress need be laid on the literal accuracy of the word "wherein;" for its purpose is simply a general description of the Temple, its chief parts, and its most sacred furniture. The command to deposit the tables in the ark is recorded in Exodus 25:16, and the actual deposit of them there in Exodus 40:20, immediately after the erection of the Tabernacle. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there [Exodus 25:16; Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 10:5. This statement appears to be at variance with Hebrews 9:4, which mentions "the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded," as in the ark, along with "the tables of the covenant." And it is to be observed that, while our text excludes these relics from the ark (temp. Solomon), no other scripture save that just cited expressly includes them. In Exodus 16:34 and Numbers 17:25 (Heb. A.V., Numbers 17:10) they are commanded to be laid up "before the testimony," words which no doubt may mean, as they were long interpreted to mean, "before the tables of testimony in the ark" - observe, the words are "before the testimony," not "before the ark" - but which are now generally thought to import "in front of the ark which con-rained the testimony." We know the book of the law was put "at the side (מִצַּד) of the ark" (Deuteronomy 31:26), and hence it is held by some that the golden pot, etc., occupied a similar position. It seems preferable, however, considering the distinct statement of St. Paul, or the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which, to say the least, embodies Jewish tradition, to adhere to the ancient interpretation that the golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod were in the ark. And this in no wise conflicts with the statement of the text, for these treasures might well have been removed by the Philistines, whose first thought, we may be sure, would be to open their new acquisition. It is not improbable, indeed, that the object of the men of Bethshemesh in looking into the ark was to see whether these treasures were still there. For if the golden pot ever was in the ark, we can hardly suppose it would escape the rapacity of the Philistines, who would leave the two tables of stone as things of no value. Indeed, it is just possible that the trespass offering, the golden mice, etc., were designed as a return for the golden pot which had been removed. And the statement of the text, "there was nothing," etc., almost implies that there had been something there at one time (see Alford on Hebrews 9:4). It seem probable, therefore, that the golden pot and Aaron's rod were originally deposited "before the testimony" in the ark; that they were removed during its captivity (1 Samuel 5:6.); and that the sacrilege was discovered at Bethshemesh (1 Samuel 6:19). This last mentioned episode explains how it came to be known that "there was nothing," etc. It is hardly likely after that memorable visitation that Solomon could have opened the ark and taken out the two relics, as Rawlinson suggests. Nor have we any warrant for the view that the mercy seat, with the cherubs, was removed to make way for a new lid without them, and so the interior of the ark was disclosed to view (Stanley) ] at Horeb [See Exodus 3:1; Exodus 17:6; Exodus 33:6; 1 Kings 19:8. This name, which means dry ground, desert, would appear to have belonged to two or three different places in the wilderness. But as the name of the place where the law was given and the covenant with God made (Deuteronomy 4:10, 13) it became subsequently a nomen generale for the whole of the Sinaitic region (Dict. Bib. 3. p. 1326). Here the mount of the law is clearly meant] when [Heb. which, אֲשֶׁר is occasionally found in the sense of quum, as in Deuteronomy 11:6; Psalm 139:15; 2 Chronicles 35:20; cf. 1 Kings 9:10 (Gesen., Thessalonians, s.v.) ] the Lord made a covenant [Heb. cut; see note on 1 Kings 5:12. בְּרִית is to be understood. Same ellipsis in 1 Samuel 20:16; 1 Samuel 22:8] with the children of Israel when they came [Heb. in their coming] out of the land of Egypt. [Exodus 34:27, 28; Deuteronomy 4:13.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

[There was] nothing
אֵ֚ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

in the ark
בָּֽאָר֔וֹן (bā·’ā·rō·wn)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

except
רַ֗ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

the two
שְׁנֵי֙ (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

stone
הָאֲבָנִ֔ים (hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68: A stone

tablets
לֻח֣וֹת (lu·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3871: To glisten, a tablet, of stone, wood, metal

that
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Moses
מֹשֶׁ֖ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

had placed
הִנִּ֥חַ (hin·ni·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place,

in it
שָׁ֛ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

at Horeb,
בְּחֹרֵ֑ב (bə·ḥō·rêḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2722: Horeb -- 'waste', a mountain in Sinai

where
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had made a covenant
כָּרַ֤ת (kā·raṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

after they had come out
בְּצֵאתָ֖ם (bə·ṣê·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of the land
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt.
מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

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OT History: 1 Kings 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)