Deuteronomy 31 26

Deuteronomy 31:26 kjv

Take 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.

Deuteronomy 31:26 nkjv

"Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;

Deuteronomy 31:26 niv

"Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.

Deuteronomy 31:26 esv

"Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.

Deuteronomy 31:26 nlt

"Take this Book of Instruction and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, so it may remain there as a witness against the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 26 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:26 commands the Levites to take the complete Book of the Law, written by Moses, and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant. This act was not merely for storage, but to establish the Law as a permanent, accessible, and undeniable witness. Its proximity to the Ark, the physical symbol of God's presence and covenant, underscores its divine authority and sacrosanct nature. The primary purpose stated is for it to stand "as a witness against you," anticipating and affirming Israel's future apostasy and serving as a divine testimony to their transgression.

Deuteronomy 31 26 Context

Deuteronomy 31 occurs as Moses nears the end of his life, delivering his final instructions and preparing the nation for entry into the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. Chapters 29-30 describe the covenant renewal, blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience, and God's ultimate intention to circumcise their hearts. Chapter 31 outlines Moses’ final actions: encouraging Joshua (v. 1-8), commissioning Joshua publicly (v. 23), entrusting the written Law to the Levites (v. 9), mandating its septennial reading (v. 10-13), and importantly, preparing Israel for the future, knowing they will rebel (v. 14-29).

Verse 26 specifically details the final destination and purpose of the completed Law. Moses has just finished writing the "words of this Law in a book until they were finished" (v. 24). He then commands the Levites, who bore the Ark of the Covenant, to safeguard this written covenant. This physical placement near the Ark signifies its permanent, authoritative presence within the core of Israel’s religious and national identity. The command to place it "as a witness against you" reflects God's foreknowledge of Israel's future disobedience and serves as a solemn pre-testimony against their coming idolatry and rebellion. This action indirectly serves as a polemic against the transient, unreliable nature of human memory and against any claims of ignorance regarding God's explicit demands; it establishes the singular, unalterable standard of the LORD's expectations, contrasting sharply with the fluid and capricious deities of surrounding nations whose 'laws' were often reflections of human whims rather than divine moral absolutes.

Deuteronomy 31 26 Word analysis

• "Take" (Hebrew: לָקַח - laqach): An imperative verb, commanding an action of reception or removal for a specific purpose. Here, it denotes an active and intentional carrying out of a divine directive by those entrusted with sacred duties, the Levites.
• "this Book of the Law" (Hebrew: סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה הַזֶּה - sefer haTorah hazzeh):
  • Sefer means 'book' or 'scroll.'
  • HaTorah means 'the Law,' 'the instruction,' or 'the teaching.' This is not just a collection of rules, but God's comprehensive instruction for life, justice, and worship. The definite article 'the' emphasizes its complete and definitive nature as written by Moses.
  • Hazzeh means 'this,' emphasizing the specific, physical book Moses has just completed. This signifies the full, authoritative covenant document containing God's commands, statutes, and judgments given to Israel.
• "place it" (Hebrew: שִׂים אֹתוֹ - sim oto): An imperative indicating a precise and careful placement. This verb implies setting something down permanently in a designated spot, underscoring its enduring significance and accessibility.
• "beside" (Hebrew: מִצַּד - mittsad): Literally 'from the side' or 'at the side of.' This preposition is crucial. It clarifies that the book was not placed inside the Ark (where the two tablets of the covenant were already kept, Ex 25:21; 40:20), but rather next to it. This suggests the Book was accessible for reading, perhaps leaning against it or in a dedicated container adjacent to it within the tabernacle, distinguishing it from the stone tablets but keeping it in the most sacred proximity. It highlighted its authoritative proximity without being identical in placement to the original, divine-scribed commandments.
• "the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God" (Hebrew: אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - aron berit YHWH Eloheikem):
  • Aron Berit translates as 'Ark of the Covenant,' the most sacred artifact in Israel, symbolizing God's throne, presence, and covenant relationship with Israel. Its connection to God's presence underscores the divine origin and authority of the Law.
  • YHWH (rendered 'LORD'): The ineffable personal name of God, emphasizing His self-revelation and covenant faithfulness.
  • Eloheikem: 'your God,' highlighting the exclusive, personal, and covenantal relationship between YHWH and Israel. This pairing reinforces the unique claim God had on Israel and Israel's accountability to this particular God and His Law.
• "that it may be there" (Hebrew: וְהָיָה שָׁם - veHayah sham): Conveys purpose and permanence. The Law's presence is not temporary; it is designed to remain permanently in this sacred location, serving its intended function over time.
• "as a witness against you" (Hebrew: בְּךָ לְעֵד - becha l'ed):
  • L'ed means 'as a witness,' or 'for testimony.' In biblical context, a witness provides evidence, authenticates a claim, or serves as a reminder. It can testify for or against someone.
  • Becha means 'against you' (referring to Israel, "the sons of Israel," as per v. 25). This phrasing carries a deeply solemn and ominous tone. It explicitly states the foreknown purpose of the Law in this location: not merely to guide, but to testify against their future failure to uphold the covenant. This speaks to God's omniscience and sovereign authority to declare judgment even before the act. The Law stands as an unchanging standard against human deviation, confirming culpability when transgressed.

Words-group analysis:

• "Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God": This phrase details the sacred handing over and positioning of God's complete revelation. The Law, representing God's active involvement in human life, is brought into closest possible proximity to the Ark, representing God's holiness and presence, short of being contained within it. This signifies the Law's supreme importance, divine backing, and its integral role in Israel's relationship with God, placing it at the heart of their worship and national identity.
• "that it may be there as a witness against you": This reveals the ultimate, future-oriented purpose of this sacred placement. It underlines God's foreknowledge of Israel's impending covenant violations and the immutable justice tied to His Law. The Law serves not only as a guide for righteousness but also as an unerring document of evidence against Israel’s disobedience. This witness would stand ready, a silent accuser testifying to God's fidelity in giving clear instructions and Israel's failure in following them. This powerful declaration implies future judgment stemming from past and present acts of disobedience foreseen by God.

Deuteronomy 31 26 Bonus section

The distinction between the tablets inside the Ark and the Book beside the Ark highlights different facets of God's Law. The stone tablets, inscribed by God's own finger, represented the unchangeable core of the covenant – the Ten Commandments. The written Book of the Law, penned by Moses, included not just these foundational commands but the entire body of statutes, ordinances, and instructions given through Moses. Placing the Book beside the Ark, therefore, suggests its direct derivation from, and constant alignment with, the foundational covenant while remaining accessible for reading, studying, and reference, which would have been difficult if placed inside the sacred chest itself.

Furthermore, this act implies the concept of accountability. God, in His omniscience, knew Israel's future. The "witness against you" clause points to a divine certainty concerning human sinfulness, underlining the theological necessity for a redemption beyond the Law, as foreshadowed in prophecies of a new covenant where God's law would be written not on tablets of stone or in books, but on the hearts of His people (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10). This permanent record served as a divine guarantee that Israel's covenant breaches would be fully documented, not because God desired their failure, but to justly demonstrate the consequences of turning away from Him.

Deuteronomy 31 26 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:26 encapsulates profound theological truths concerning the nature of God's Law and humanity's relationship with it. By instructing the Levites to place the written Law beside the Ark of the Covenant, God establishes His revealed will at the absolute spiritual core of Israel’s existence. This placement symbolizes the Law’s unparalleled authority, stemming directly from the divine presence it bordered. It was permanently positioned to be accessible yet hallowed, a constant reminder of God's expectations and a tangible embodiment of His covenant with Israel.

The striking pronouncement "that it may be there as a witness against you" is not an indictment of the Law itself but a sober divine prophecy concerning Israel's inherent propensity to rebellion and their predictable failure to perfectly keep the covenant. This foreshadows their persistent cycle of disobedience, particularly idolatry and injustice. The Law, given as a pathway to life and blessing, would regrettably serve as the undeniable testimony to their sin, providing the divine basis for subsequent judgments and disciplines. It demonstrates that God's justice is not arbitrary but is rooted in the very standards He clearly set forth for His people. Ultimately, this verse lays bare the limitations of the Mosaic Covenant to bring complete righteousness without a transformed heart, a theme picked up extensively in the New Covenant in Christ.

Example for practical usage: This verse reminds us that God's Word remains an enduring standard. For Christians today, while we are not under the Old Covenant Law for salvation, the principles of God's character revealed in His commands still stand as a witness. Our conscience, informed by His Word and indwelt by His Spirit, often acts as a witness "against us" when we deviate from His will (Rom 2:15). God's Word in its entirety, especially as embodied in Christ, continually calls us to account for our lives, serving as both guidance and a measure for true righteousness.