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THE MESSAGE

Exodus 40:20

He placed The Testimony in the Chest, inserted the poles for carrying the Chest, and placed the lid, the Atonement-Cover, on it. He brought the Chest into The Dwelling and set up the curtain, screening off the Chest of The Testimony, just as God had commanded Moses.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ark;   Decalogue;   Law;   Mercy-Seat;   Tabernacle;   Thompson Chain Reference - Dedication;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Desert, Journey of Israel through the;   Mercy-Seat;   Tabernacle;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Dedication;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Tabernacle;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Samuel, First and Second, Theology of;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Tabernacle;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canon of Scripture;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Exodus, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ethics;   Leviticus;   Tabernacle;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Commandments, the Ten;   Mercy Seat;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Events of the Encampment;   Tabernacle, the;   Worship, the;   Last Days at Sinai;   Moses, the Man of God;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;   Canon of the Old Testament;   Ten Commandments, the;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Decalogue;   Leviticus;  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
He took and put the testimony into the teivah, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.
King James Version
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:
Lexham English Bible
And he took and he put the testimony into the ark, and he placed the poles on the ark, and he put the atonement cover on the ark, above it.
New Century Version
Moses put the stone tablets that had the Agreement written on them into the Ark. He put the poles through the rings of the Ark and put the lid on it.
New English Translation
He took the testimony and put it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and then put the atonement lid on the ark.
Amplified Bible
He took the Testimony [the stones inscribed with the Ten Commandments] and put it into the ark [of the covenant], and placed the poles [through the rings] on the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.
New American Standard Bible
Then he took the testimony and put it into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the atoning cover on top of the ark.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And he tooke and put the Testimonie in the Arke, and put the barres in the ringes of the Arke, and set the Merciseate on hie vpon the Arke.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then he took the testimony and put it into the ark and attached the poles to the ark and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.
Contemporary English Version
The stones with the Ten Commandments written on them were stored in the sacred chest, the place of mercy was put on top of it, and the carrying poles were attached.
Complete Jewish Bible
He took and put the testimony inside the ark, put the poles on the ark, and set the ark-cover above, on the ark.
Darby Translation
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and put the staves in the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark.
Easy-to-Read Version
Moses took the Agreement and put it in the Holy Box. He put the poles on the Box and put the mercy-cover on it.
English Standard Version
He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.
George Lamsa Translation
And he took the testimony and put it into the ark and set the poles on the ark and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Good News Translation
Then he took the two stone tablets and put them in the Covenant Box. He put the poles in the rings of the Box and put the lid on it.
Christian Standard Bible®
Moses took the testimony and placed it in the ark, and attached the poles to the ark. He set the mercy seat on top of the ark.
Literal Translation
And he took and gave the testimony into the ark. And he put the poles on the ark. And he gave the mercyseat on the ark from above.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he toke the wytnesse, and layed it in the Arke, and put ye staues in the Arke, and set the Mercyseate aboue vpon the Arke,
American Standard Version
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:
Bible in Basic English
And he took the law and put it inside the ark, and put the rods at its side and the cover over it;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he toke the testimonie, and put it in the arke, and set the barres to the arke, and put the mercie seate an hye vpon the arke.]
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the ark-cover above upon the ark.
King James Version (1611)
And he tooke and put the testimony into the Arke, and set the staues on the Arke, and put the Mercie-seat aboue vpon the Arke.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he took the testimonies, and put them into the ark; and he put the staves by the sides of the ark.
English Revised Version
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:
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He puttide also the witnessyng in the arke, and he settide barris with ynne, and Goddis answeryng place aboue.
Young's Literal Translation
And he taketh and putteth the testimony unto the ark, and setteth the staves on the ark, and putteth the mercy-seat on the ark above;
Update Bible Version
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above on the ark:
Webster's Bible Translation
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staffs on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:
World English Bible
He took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark.
New King James Version
He took the Testimony and put it into the ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.
New Living Translation
He took the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant and placed them inside the Ark. Then he attached the carrying poles to the Ark, and he set the Ark's cover—the place of atonement—on top of it.
New Life Bible
Then he took the Law and put it into the special box. He put the long pieces of wood on the special box of the agreement. And he put the mercy-seat on top of the special box.
New Revised Standard
He took the covenant and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark, and set the mercy seat above the ark;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he took and placed the testimony within the ark, and put the staves upon the ark, - and placed the propitiatory upon the ark, above;
Douay-Rheims Bible
(40-17) And spread the roof over the tabernacle, putting over it a cover, as the Lord had commanded.
Revised Standard Version
And he took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark, and set the mercy seat above on the ark;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then he took the testimony and put it into the ark, and attached the poles to the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark.

Contextual Overview

16 Moses did everything God commanded. He did it all. 17On the first day of the first month of the second year, The Dwelling was set up. Moses set it up: He laid its bases, erected the frames, placed the crossbars, set the posts, spread the tent over The Dwelling, and put the covering over the tent, just as God had commanded Moses. 20He placed The Testimony in the Chest, inserted the poles for carrying the Chest, and placed the lid, the Atonement-Cover, on it. He brought the Chest into The Dwelling and set up the curtain, screening off the Chest of The Testimony, just as God had commanded Moses. 22He placed the Table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of The Dwelling, outside the curtain, and arranged the Bread there before God , just as God had commanded him. 24He placed the Lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the Table on the south side of The Dwelling and set up the lamps before God , just as God had commanded him. 26Moses placed the Gold Altar in the Tent of Meeting in front of the curtain and burned fragrant incense on it, just as God had commanded him. 28 He placed the screen at the entrance to The Dwelling. 29 He set the Altar of Whole-Burnt-Offering at the door of The Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting, and offered up the Whole-Burnt-Offerings and the Grain-Offerings, just as God had commanded Moses. 30He placed the Washbasin between the Tent of Meeting and the Altar, and filled it with water for washing. Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet there. When they entered the Tent of Meeting and when they served at the Altar, they washed, just as God had commanded Moses. 33 Finally, he erected the Courtyard all around The Dwelling and the Altar, and put up the screen for the Courtyard entrance. Moses finished the work.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the testimony: Exodus 16:34, Exodus 25:16-21, Exodus 31:18, Psalms 40:8, Matthew 3:15

mercy: Exodus 40:3, Exodus 37:6-9, Romans 3:25, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-21, 1 John 2:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:13 - General Exodus 25:17 - mercy seat Exodus 26:34 - put the mercy seat Exodus 32:15 - the testimony Exodus 37:1 - General Leviticus 16:2 - he come not Deuteronomy 10:2 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 10:5 - put the 1 Kings 6:19 - to set 1 Kings 8:6 - his place 1 Kings 8:8 - drew out the staves 1 Kings 8:9 - put there at Horeb 1 Chronicles 15:15 - bare the ark 1 Chronicles 28:11 - the place 2 Chronicles 5:10 - save 2 Chronicles 6:11 - I put the ark Psalms 78:5 - testimony Mark 15:38 - General Hebrews 9:4 - and the

Cross-References

Genesis 21:8
The baby grew and was weaned. Abraham threw a big party on the day Isaac was weaned.
Genesis 40:1
As time went on, it happened that the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt crossed their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was furious with his two officials, the head cupbearer and the head baker, and put them in custody under the captain of the guard; it was the same jail where Joseph was held. The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to see to their needs. After they had been in custody for a while, the king's cupbearer and baker, while being held in the jail, both had a dream on the same night, each dream having its own meaning. When Joseph arrived in the morning, he noticed that they were feeling low. So he asked them, the two officials of Pharaoh who had been thrown into jail with him, "What's wrong? Why the long faces?" They said, "We dreamed dreams and there's no one to interpret them." Joseph said, "Don't interpretations come from God? Tell me the dreams." First the head cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: "In my dream there was a vine in front of me with three branches on it: It budded, blossomed, and the clusters ripened into grapes. I was holding Pharaoh's cup; I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and gave the cup to Pharaoh." Joseph said, "Here's the meaning. The three branches are three days. Within three days, Pharaoh will get you out of here and put you back to your old work—you'll be giving Pharaoh his cup just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me when things are going well with you again—tell Pharaoh about me and get me out of this place. I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews. And since I've been here, I've done nothing to deserve being put in this hole." When the head baker saw how well Joseph's interpretation turned out, he spoke up: "My dream went like this: I saw three wicker baskets on my head; the top basket had assorted pastries from the bakery and birds were picking at them from the basket on my head." Joseph said, "This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days; within three days Pharaoh will take off your head, impale you on a post, and the birds will pick your bones clean." And sure enough, on the third day it was Pharaoh's birthday and he threw a feast for all his servants. He set the head cupbearer and the head baker in places of honor in the presence of all the guests. Then he restored the head cupbearer to his cupbearing post; he handed Pharaoh his cup just as before. And then he impaled the head baker on a post, following Joseph's interpretations exactly. But the head cupbearer never gave Joseph another thought; he forgot all about him.
Genesis 40:23
But the head cupbearer never gave Joseph another thought; he forgot all about him.
2 Kings 25:27
When Jehoiachin king of Judah had been in exile for thirty-seven years, Evil-Merodach became king in Babylon and let Jehoiachin out of prison. This release took place on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. The king treated him most courteously and gave him preferential treatment beyond anything experienced by the other political prisoners held in Babylon. Jehoiachin took off his prison garb and for the rest of his life ate his meals in company with the king. The king provided everything he needed to live comfortably.
Matthew 14:6
But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias's daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: "Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer." That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John's head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother. Later, John's disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus.
Matthew 25:19
"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
Mark 6:21
But a portentous day arrived when Herod threw a birthday party, inviting all the brass and bluebloods in Galilee. Herodias's daughter entered the banquet hall and danced for the guests. She dazzled Herod and the guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me anything. I'll give you anything you want." Carried away, he kept on, "I swear, I'll split my kingdom with you if you say so!" She went back to her mother and said, "What should I ask for?" "Ask for the head of John the Baptizer." Excited, she ran back to the king and said, "I want the head of John the Baptizer served up on a platter. And I want it now!" That sobered the king up fast. But unwilling to lose face with his guests, he caved in and let her have her wish. The king sent the executioner off to the prison with orders to bring back John's head. He went, cut off John's head, brought it back on a platter, and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and got the body and gave it a decent burial. The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: "We are a long way out in the country, and it's very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper." Jesus said, "You do it. Fix supper for them." They replied, "Are you serious? You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?" But he was quite serious. "How many loaves of bread do you have? Take an inventory." That didn't take long. "Five," they said, "plus two fish." Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples in turn gave it to the people. He did the same with the fish. They all ate their fill. The disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. More than five thousand were at the supper. As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray. Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts. They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that's all. And whoever touched him became well.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he took and put the testimony into the ark,.... The ten commands, called the "testimony", because they testified and declared what was the will of God with respect to things to be done, or not done. The Targum of Jonathan says, he put the broken pieces of the tables into it; but what became of them, or were done with them, we nowhere read; and it does not appear that any other, but those that Moses hewed by the order of God, were put into the ark; see Deuteronomy 10:1

and set the staves on the ark; that it might be ready to be carried whenever a remove was necessary:

and put the mercy seat above upon the ark; together with the cherubim.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The testimony - i. e. the tables of stone with the Ten Commandments engraved on them Exodus 25:16; Exodus 31:18. Nothing else is said to have been put into the ark. These were found there by themselves in the time of Solomon 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10. The pot of manna was “laid up before the testimony” Exodus 16:34; Aaron’s rod was also placed “before the testimony” Numbers 17:10; and the book of the law was put at “the side of the ark” Deuteronomy 31:26. The expression “before the testimony” appears to mean the space immediately in front of the ark. Most interpreters hold that the pot of manna and Aaron’s rod were at first placed between the ark and the veil, and afterward within the ark Hebrews 9:4. It is very probable that the pot and the rod had been put into the ark before it was taken by the Philistines, but that they were not sent back with the ark and the tables. 1Sa 4:11; 1 Samuel 6:11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Exodus 40:20. And put the testimony into the ark — That is, the two tables on which the ten commandments had been written. See Exodus 25:16. The ark, the golden table with the shew-bread, the golden candlestick, and the golden altar of incense, were all in the tabernacle, within the veil or curtains, which served as a door, Exodus 40:22; Exodus 40:24; Exodus 40:26. And the altar of burnt-offering was by the door, Exodus 40:29. And the brazen laver, between the tent of the congregation and the brazen altar, Exodus 40:30; still farther outward, that it might be the first thing the priests met with when entering into the court to minister, as their hands and feet must be washed before they could perform any part of the holy service, Exodus 40:31-32. When all these things were thus placed, then the court that surrounded the tabernacle, which consisted of posts and hangings, was set up, Exodus 40:33.


 
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