Exodus 25:10 kjv

And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Exodus 25:10 nkjv

"And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.

Exodus 25:10 niv

"Have them make an ark of acacia wood?two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

Exodus 25:10 esv

"They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.

Exodus 25:10 nlt

"Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood ? a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 10 Meaning

Exodus 25:10 introduces the divine command for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, specifying its fundamental elements: the material (acacia wood) and its exact dimensions (two and a half cubits in length, one and a half cubits in width, and one and a half cubits in height). This instruction is the initial blueprint for the most sacred object within the Tabernacle, symbolizing the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people, Israel, in the wilderness.

Exodus 25 10 Context

Exodus 25:10 marks the immediate shift from the covenant's establishment at Mount Sinai (Ex 19-24) to the practical instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for God to dwell among His people. The divine blueprint for the Ark of the Covenant is the very first detail revealed, underscoring its profound significance as the spiritual heart of the Tabernacle and the central symbol of God's immanent presence. Historically, this command followed the dramatic manifestation of God's glory at Sinai, providing a concrete, tangible (yet holy) representation of God's commitment to be with Israel on their wilderness journey. This move contrasted sharply with the static, idol-filled temples of surrounding cultures like Egypt, where gods were contained within specific human-made effigies; here, Yahweh was instructing the building of a symbolic dwelling that would travel with His chosen nation.

Exodus 25 10 Word analysis

• "And they shall make" (וְעָשׂוּ - v'asu): This is a direct divine imperative, a command from God. It's plural, implying that Moses is to instruct the community, specifically skilled craftsmen (later named Bezalel and Oholiab, empowered by the Spirit), to perform this task. It emphasizes that the design originates from God, but its execution involves human cooperation guided by divine enablement.
• "an ark" (אָרוֹן - aron): Refers specifically to a chest or coffer, differentiating it from "tebah" (תֵּבָה), which is used for Noah's ark or Moses's basket. This "aron" is destined to become the most sacred physical object for Israel, intended to house the tablets of the Ten Commandments—the "Testimony" of God's covenant with His people.
• "of acacia wood" (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים - atsei shittim): Specifically refers to the wood from the acacia tree, known to thrive in the desert regions where Israel journeyed. This wood is notably dense, durable, and resistant to decay and insects, making it an ideal choice for a sacred object that needed to withstand travel and the desert climate, symbolizing endurance and incorruptibility.
• "two and a half cubits shall be its length":
  • "cubits" (אַמָּה - ammah): An ancient unit of measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches (around 45 cm) for a common cubit. The "two and a half" signifies God's precise and deliberate measurements.
  • This precision demonstrates God's meticulous involvement in every detail of the Tabernacle, leaving no room for human improvisation regarding sacred objects. It underscores the divine authority behind the design.
• "a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height": These additional exact measurements, again incorporating a "half" cubit, reinforce the specificity of the divine blueprint. These proportions suggest balance, divine order, and mathematical harmony in God's design, which are often observed in creation itself. The uniformity in width and height contributes to the Ark's cube-like appearance (though technically a rectangular prism), reflecting perhaps the holy perfection required of God's presence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they shall make an ark": This initial phrase establishes the absolute priority and divine origin of the Ark's construction. It is not merely suggested but commanded, highlighting the Ark's preeminent status as the first and most vital element of God's earthly dwelling place among His people.
• "of acacia wood": Specifies the precise and durable material. This choice of wood, readily available in the Sinai desert, ensured the longevity and integrity of this most sacred vessel, metaphorically linking the enduring nature of the wood to the everlasting covenant God was establishing with Israel.
• "two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height": These detailed dimensions are non-negotiable divine specifications. They remove any ambiguity, demonstrating that God is a God of order and precision. The exactitude communicates the holiness and singular purpose of the Ark, setting it apart and dictating the precise confines of God's manifest presence. The specific proportions further highlight that every aspect of the Ark's construction was under divine decree.

Exodus 25 10 Bonus section

• The absence of human imagery on the Ark itself, despite its intricate design, stood in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of contemporary nations like Egypt. God commanded a container for His Testimony, not an image of Himself, reinforcing His unrepresentable and transcendent nature.
• The Ark's initial designation in this verse without immediate mention of its associated lid, the Mercy Seat (Kaporet), establishes the fundamental container before detailing the place of atonement, indicating a methodical unveiling of God's complete plan for interaction with His people.
• The consistency of half-cubit increments across the Ark's three dimensions (2.5 length, 1.5 width, 1.5 height) has intrigued some interpreters as possibly contributing to sacred geometric properties or embodying symbolic numerical significance in relation to divine balance and perfection, though the primary emphasis is on divine precision and exactitude.

Exodus 25 10 Commentary

Exodus 25:10 serves as the foundational instruction for the holiest object in ancient Israel: the Ark of the Covenant. By beginning with the Ark, God immediately signals its unparalleled importance as the very heart of the Tabernacle and the symbol of His immediate presence among His redeemed people. The selection of acacia wood speaks to divine providence, as this durable, desert-native timber was well-suited for a mobile sanctuary designed to endure the wilderness journey. The precise cubit measurements reveal God's meticulous nature and His demand for exact obedience in worship and service. These specific dimensions were not arbitrary; they reflect divine order and signify that God's dwelling, while being in their midst, must conform entirely to His holy blueprint, not to human imagination or preference. This instruction laid the groundwork for Israel's understanding that true worship and fellowship with God are always on His terms, fostering reverence, precision, and dependent faith. The Ark, through its precise design, underscored the profound truth that while God chose to dwell among humanity, His transcendence required a sanctified space prepared according to His divine will, ultimately pointing to Christ as the perfect tabernacling of God with humanity.