Exodus 25:21 kjv

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 25:21 nkjv

You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.

Exodus 25:21 niv

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 25:21 esv

And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you.

Exodus 25:21 nlt

Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark.

Exodus 25 verses

Exodus 25 21 Meaning

Exodus 25:21 outlines God's specific command to Moses regarding the placement of two crucial elements within the Ark of the Covenant, which was to be housed in the Holy of Holies. It states that the "mercy seat" (covering the Ark) and the "testimony" (the tablets of the Law, inside the Ark) are to be meticulously placed according to divine instruction. This establishes the physical manifestation of God's covenant presence, emphasizing His holy law as the basis of the relationship and His provision for atonement as the means by which His people can draw near.

Exodus 25 21 Context

Exodus 25 initiates God's detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, immediately following the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai (Exo 20-24). The purpose of these instructions is explicitly stated in Exo 25:8: for God to dwell among His people. The Ark of the Covenant, with its mercy seat, is the first and most crucial item described because it signifies the very center of God's presence and Israel's worship. This specific verse (Exo 25:21) details the assembly of the Ark, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between God's revealed Law ("the testimony") placed inside and His provision for atonement ("the mercy seat") placed directly above it. This design served as a perpetual reminder of Israel's covenant obligations, God's holiness, and His gracious way to forgive and fellowship, contrasting sharply with pagan deities housed in temples, who lacked moral codes and offered no true atonement.

Exodus 25 21 Word analysis

• You (וְנָתַתָּה - wə-nā-ṯat-tāh): The Hebrew verb is a singular command directed specifically to Moses, underscoring his role as God's appointed leader and mediator in establishing the Tabernacle. It signifies precise obedience is expected.

• shall put (וְנָתַתָּה - wə-nā-ṯat-tāh): This verb literally means "you shall give" or "you shall place." It implies careful and divinely authorized placement, not a casual act.

• the mercy seat (הַכַּפֹּרֶת - hak-kap-pō-reṯ): This critical Hebrew noun is derived from the verb kāpār (כָּפַר), meaning "to cover," "to atone," "to make propitiation." It refers to the golden lid that covered the Ark of the Covenant. Its primary significance is tied to the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), where the high priest sprinkled blood upon it, signifying the covering or expiation of sin before a holy God. It anticipates Christ's atoning work as the ultimate "propitiation."

• on top of (עַל־ - ‘al-): This preposition indicates placement directly above. The mercy seat was not separate from the Ark but intrinsically connected as its covering, emphasizing its role in mediating access to God's presence which was linked to the covenant within.

• the ark (הָאָרֹן֙ - hā-’ā-rō-n): A chest or box, in this context specifically referring to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred furnishing in the Tabernacle and Temple. It symbolized God's dwelling presence among Israel.

• and in the ark (וְאֶל־הָאָרֹ֔ן - wə-’el-hā-’ā-rō-n): Specifies the interior of the chest as the precise location.

• you shall put (תָּשִׁים - tā-šîm): Another verb, meaning "you shall set" or "you shall place," reinforcing the exactness of the divine instruction for putting the contents within.

• the testimony (הָעֵדֻת֙ - hā-‘ê-ḏuṯ): Derived from the Hebrew root ‘ēd (עֵד), meaning "witness" or "testimony." This specifically refers to the two tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses. These tablets served as a physical witness of God's covenant with Israel, laying out the terms and expectations of their relationship.

• that I will give you (אֲשֶׁר֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן אֵלֶ֔יךָ - ’ă-šer ’et-tên ’ê-leḵā): This phrase underscores the divine origin and authority of the "testimony" (the Law). God is the giver, not man. It highlights that the covenant, and therefore the very foundation of their relationship with God, originated solely from God's gracious initiative.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "mercy seat on top of the ark": This highlights the fundamental theological truth that God's gracious provision for atonement (mercy seat) is placed over His holy standard (the law within the ark). It illustrates that a holy God can reside among an unholy people only through a divine means of covering sin.
  • "in the ark you shall put the testimony": The placement of the Law inside the Ark establishes it as the core content of the covenant. God's presence is not arbitrary but is defined and structured by His holy and revealed will. This law testifies against human sinfulness but also provides the pathway for righteous living.
  • "the testimony that I will give you": This emphasizes divine authorship and sovereignty. The Law is not humanly devised but God's direct revelation, thus carrying ultimate authority and binding Israel to their covenant responsibilities before a holy God.

Exodus 25 21 Bonus section

• The kapporet (mercy seat) being made of pure gold signifies its divine purity and preciousness, befitting the sacred place where God's glory would manifest.
• The cherubim hammered out of the mercy seat, with their wings extended and faces toward the mercy seat (Exo 25:20), visually reinforce the guardian role associated with the holy presence of God, akin to the cherubim guarding the Garden of Eden after the fall (Gen 3:24). Their gaze towards the atonement speaks of their interest in God's redemptive work.
• The Ark with the mercy seat on top, residing in the Holy of Holies, was a constant reminder of both God's transcendence (hidden behind a veil) and His immanence (dwelling amidst His people), a dynamic tension critical for Israel's understanding of their unique relationship with the Creator of the universe.

Exodus 25 21 Commentary

Exodus 25:21 is more than a blueprint detail; it is a foundational theological statement revealing the core of God's relationship with Israel. The Ark represents God's dwelling among His people, yet its contents define the terms of this sacred intimacy. The "testimony" (the Tablets of the Law) inside signifies that God's presence is always connected to His holy character and righteous demands. Yet, above this demanding law rests the "mercy seat," the place where atonement for sin was made. This profound arrangement demonstrates that while sin incurs God's judgment according to His perfect law, His mercy and propitiation through sacrifice provide the way for Him to dwell with a sinful people without consuming them. It is the prophetic shadow pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and became the ultimate propitiation (mercy seat) through His own blood, enabling direct and confident access to God's presence for all who believe.