Exodus 39 35

Exodus 39:35 kjv

The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,

Exodus 39:35 nkjv

the ark of the Testimony with its poles, and the mercy seat;

Exodus 39:35 niv

the ark of the covenant law with its poles and the atonement cover;

Exodus 39:35 esv

the ark of the testimony with its poles and the mercy seat;

Exodus 39:35 nlt

the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles;
the Ark's cover ? the place of atonement;

Exodus 39 verses

Exodus 39 35 Meaning

Exodus 39:35 is part of the final inventory of the finished components of the Tabernacle, meticulously prepared by the skilled craftsmen according to the precise instructions given by the Lord to Moses. This particular verse lists three paramount elements of the Tabernacle, all central to the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies): the veil that separated this sacred space, the Ark of the Testimony, and the Mercy Seat resting upon the Ark. These items collectively represent the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, His covenant, and the provision for atonement for sin. Their completion signifies the nearing realization of God's command for a sanctuary where He might commune with Israel.

Exodus 39 35 Context

Exodus chapter 39 marks the culmination of the construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, an undertaking described in painstaking detail across previous chapters (beginning from Exodus 25). This chapter particularly emphasizes that everything was made "as the LORD commanded Moses," a phrase repeated over a dozen times, highlighting obedience and the divine blueprint. Verses 32-43 provide an inventory list of all the finished articles presented to Moses by the artisans, validating that the work was completed according to specifications. Exodus 39:35 falls within this detailed inventory, specifically listing the core components of the Most Holy Place. This list is a transition point, leading into chapter 40 where Moses supervises the erection of the Tabernacle and its consecration, finally signifying God's dwelling among His people. Historically, the Tabernacle was Israel's central place of worship and the tangible symbol of God's covenant presence among them during their wilderness wanderings, distinguishing their worship from the surrounding pagan cultures which often involved arbitrary, self-derived religious practices and idol worship.

Exodus 39 35 Word analysis

• The vail (פָרֹכֶת – parochet): A thick, ornate curtain designed to completely separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies. Its purpose was to signify the profound holiness of God and the necessary separation between a righteous God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest could pass through it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Its detailed construction, mentioned in Ex 26:31-33, emphasizes its significance as a barrier that guarded divine holiness.
• of the testimony (הָעֵדֻ֔ת – ha'edut): Refers to the divine decree or witness, specifically the two tablets of the Law (the Ten Commandments) housed within the Ark of the Covenant. This term underscores that the veil's purpose was related to God's covenant witness and His revealed will. The entire arrangement around the Ark reinforced God's truth and commands.
• and the ark (וַאֲרֹ֣ון – va'aron): The most sacred piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. It was a chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, signifying its value and divine nature. It was not merely a container but represented the very throne of God in Israel's midst, indicating His kingship and presence.
• of the testimony (הָעֵדֻ֔ת – ha'edut): Again, reiterates that the Ark was central to God's covenant and His commandments, being the sacred repository for the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed (Ex 25:16, 21). This repeated phrase emphasizes the Law's preeminence within God's covenant with Israel.
• and the mercy seat (וְכַפֹּרֶת֙ – v'kapporet): The solid gold cover that rested upon the Ark, often called the "atonement cover" in some translations. It was the specific place where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sin offering on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:14-16), making propitiation for the sins of Israel. The Hebrew root kpr (כפר) means "to cover," implying both physical covering and atonement for sin. This was the place where God's mercy and justice met, providing a way for sinful humanity to approach a holy God.
• above it (עָלֶיהָ֙ – aleha): Specifies the exact position of the Mercy Seat, atop the Ark. This positional detail is crucial, as the Mercy Seat was not separate from the Ark but intrinsically linked to it, forming a unit where God promised to meet with Moses (Ex 25:22). The tablets (testimony) were beneath the mercy seat, symbolizing God's judgment covered by His propitiatory grace.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The vail of the testimony": This phrase describes the curtain that functioned as a divine barrier. Its purpose was not merely decorative but functional, signifying separation between the mundane and the sacred, and between human sinfulness and divine holiness. The reference to "testimony" connects the veil directly to God's law and covenant, implying that it guards access to the very essence of God's revealed will. Its future tearing (Matt 27:51) would signify new and direct access to God.
• "and the ark of the testimony": This unit represents the very heart of the Tabernacle's symbolism. The Ark was the most revered object, representing God's throne, His presence, and the covenant agreement with His people, formalized by the "testimony" (the Law) contained within. It was Israel's greatest national treasure and the symbol of divine leadership.
• "and the mercy seat above it": This is where atonement occurred. The "mercy seat" (or "atonement cover") represents God's gracious provision for sin. Placed directly over the Ark, where the Law (testimony) rested, it depicted God's judgment (the Law condemning sin) being appeased by atonement, enabling God to dwell righteously amidst His people. This detail, of the mercy seat above the testimony, sets the stage for the crucial atonement rituals performed annually.

Exodus 39 35 Bonus section

The repetitive use of the phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" throughout Exodus 39, culminating in the inventory, underscores the principle of divine instruction and human obedience in worship. Every detail of the Tabernacle's construction was precise, illustrating God's meticulous nature and His desire for pure worship. This adherence to divine design also distinguished Israel's faith from the arbitrary, often syncretistic, and sometimes horrific worship practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing monotheism and holiness. The Tabernacle, and especially its Most Holy Place, served as a "miniature heaven" or an earthly representation of God's celestial dwelling, allowing Israel to conceptually encounter His glory and holiness within their camp. The sequence of materials listed and constructed, leading to the spiritual climax of these sacred furnishings, reflects a theological progression from raw material to holy vessels ready for divine presence.

Exodus 39 35 Commentary

Exodus 39:35, though a simple list of items, holds profound theological significance. It points to the core elements of Israel's worship, all divinely commanded. The "vail" symbolized humanity's inability to approach God due to sin, but also His willingness to provide a path. The "ark of the testimony" was God's tangible throne and the embodiment of His covenant relationship, containing the very law that convicted Israel of their sin. The "mercy seat above it" was the point of propitiation, where divine justice and mercy converged through blood atonement, offering a covering for the sins that the Law within the Ark revealed.

These elements foreshadow a greater reality in Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate High Priest, who, through His sacrifice, rended the symbolic veil of His flesh (Heb 10:20), granting direct access to God. He is the substance to which the Ark pointed – the Living Word, the very presence of God with humanity (Jn 1:14). And He is our "Mercy Seat," the propitiation for our sins (Rom 3:25, 1 Jn 2:2), where God's just wrath against sin was appeased, not by animal blood, but by His own sinless blood, providing a "new and living way" into the Most Holy Place, the very presence of God. The completion of these Tabernacle elements signified God's willingness to dwell among His people, anticipating the ultimate indwelling of God by the Holy Spirit within believers.