2 Chronicles 5:10

KJV

[There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [therein] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

There was nothing in the ark {H727} save the two {H8147} tables {H3871} which Moses {H4872} put {H5414} therein at Horeb {H2722}, when the LORD {H3068} made {H3772} a covenant with the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, when they came out {H3318} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets Moshe put there at Horev, when ADONAI made the covenant with the people of Isra'el at the time of their leaving Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.

American Standard Version

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 5:10 provides a precise detail regarding the contents of the Ark of the Covenant as it was placed into the Most Holy Place of Solomon's newly dedicated Temple. It explicitly states that only the two stone tablets, inscribed with the Ten Commandments by God Himself at Horeb (Mount Sinai), remained within the Ark. This singular focus underscores the enduring centrality of God's foundational law and His covenant relationship with Israel, rooting the grand Temple dedication in the foundational events of the Exodus and the giving of the Torah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of the dedication of Solomon's Temple, specifically describing the solemn procession and placement of the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies. Chapters 2 Chronicles 2-4 detail the extensive preparations and construction of the Temple, while chapter 5 opens with the completion of the work and the bringing in of the dedicated articles. The immediate verses (2 Chronicles 5:7-9) describe the priests carrying the Ark and its staves being visible from the Holy Place, leading directly into verse 10's clarification of its contents. This moment is the spiritual apex of the dedication, immediately preceding the descent of the cloud of God's glory (the Shekinah) that fills the Temple, signifying divine approval and presence (2 Chronicles 5:11-14). The Chronicler emphasizes the continuity of God's presence from the Tabernacle to the Temple and the enduring significance of the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction and dedication of Solomon's Temple marked a significant shift in Israelite worship and national identity. For centuries, the Ark of the Covenant had resided in the portable Tabernacle, a symbol of God's journeying presence with His people since the Exodus. The Temple, a permanent and magnificent structure in Jerusalem, symbolized Israel's establishment as a settled nation under a unified monarchy. The dedication ceremony itself was a grand national event, involving all the elders of Israel and a vast number of sacrifices (2 Chronicles 5:2-6). The mention of "Horeb" immediately transports the audience back to the foundational event of the covenant at Mount Sinai, emphasizing that despite the new, grand edifice, the core of Israel's relationship with God remained rooted in the divine law given at the Exodus. The Ark, as the most sacred cultic object, was the earthly throne of God, representing His presence among His people, and its placement was the central act of the Temple's consecration.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent throughout Chronicles and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **the enduring nature of God's Law**. By explicitly stating that only the tablets of the Law remained in the Ark, the Chronicler emphasizes the unchanging and foundational role of the Ten Commandments as the bedrock of God's covenant with Israel. This stands in contrast to other items (like Aaron's rod or the pot of manna) that may have been associated with the Ark at earlier times but were no longer present, as referenced in [Hebrews 9:4](/hebrews/9-4 "Hebrews 9:4 - Contents of the Ark"). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's covenant faithfulness**. The explicit reference to "Horeb" and the "covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt" serves as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast commitment to His promises, linking the present glory of the Temple to the foundational moments of Israel's liberation and formation as a nation, as detailed in [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai"). Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **divine presence and dwelling**. The Ark was the tangible symbol of God's presence, and its placement in the Temple signified God's willingness to inhabit a permanent dwelling among His people, fulfilling His desire to be near them since their liberation from Egyptian bondage, a theme echoed in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ark (Hebrew, _ʼărôn_):** Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in ancient Israelite worship. It was a gold-covered wooden chest, serving as the earthly throne of God and the repository of the covenant tablets. Its presence symbolized God's dwelling among His people and was central to their identity and worship.
* **Horeb (Hebrew, _ḥōrēḇ_):** An alternative name for Mount Sinai, the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where the covenant between God and Israel was formally established. The use of "Horeb" here specifically evokes the divine revelation and the foundational giving of the Law, emphasizing the origin and authority of the tablets within the Ark.
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bĕrît_):** A solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often initiated by a superior party (God) with a lesser party (Israel). In this context, it refers to the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, which outlined God's promises and Israel's obligations, primarily summarized by the Ten Commandments. Its mention highlights the enduring nature of this foundational relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables":** This clause emphatically clarifies the sole contents of the Ark at this pivotal moment. While other items like Aaron's rod that budded or a pot of manna were once associated with the Ark (or placed beside it in the Tabernacle), by the time of Solomon's Temple dedication, only the two stone tablets of the Law remained inside. This detail highlights the supreme and enduring importance of God's revealed will—His moral law—as the central element of His covenant and presence among His people. It signifies that the Law, not transient miracles or signs, was the permanent foundation of their relationship.
* **"which Moses put [therein] at Horeb":** This phrase directly links the tablets to their origin and the authoritative figure through whom they were delivered. Moses, the mediator of the Old Covenant, placed these divinely inscribed tablets into the Ark at Mount Horeb (Sinai). This connection reinforces the divine authorship and immutable nature of the Law, emphasizing that these were not human precepts but God's own words, entrusted to Israel through His chosen servant.
* **"when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt":** This final clause provides the historical and theological context for the tablets. They are not merely laws but the tangible expression of the covenant God graciously established with Israel immediately after their miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage. This reminds the reader that the Law was given not as a means to earn salvation, but as the framework for a relationship with an already redeemed people, a guide for living in covenant faithfulness with their deliverer. It underscores God's initiative and faithfulness in calling Israel into a unique relationship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Emphasis** is achieved through the negative construction "nothing... save," which starkly highlights the singular importance of the two tables. This serves to underscore the enduring centrality of God's Law within the covenant. **Symbolism** is profoundly present: the Ark itself symbolizes God's dwelling presence, while the two tables symbolize the divine, unchanging Law and the very essence of the Mosaic Covenant. The mention of "Horeb" and "came out of Egypt" functions as **Allusion**, referring back to the foundational narratives of the Exodus and the giving of the Law, thereby grounding the Temple's dedication in Israel's redemptive history. This **Historical Anchoring** reinforces the continuity of God's work and covenant promises across generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The specific detail in 2 Chronicles 5:10, that only the two tablets of the Law remained in the Ark, carries profound theological weight. It signifies that at the heart of God's dwelling place among His people, and indeed at the core of their identity, was His unchanging Word and covenant. This emphasis on the Law's enduring presence within the Ark foreshadows the eternal nature of God's truth and righteousness. While the physical Ark and Temple were temporary symbols, their contents pointed to the eternal principles of God's character and His desire for a people who would live in obedience to Him. The covenant made at Horeb, though conditional, revealed God's faithfulness and His standard for holy living, providing the framework for Israel's relationship with their divine King.

* [Deuteronomy 10:1](/deuteronomy/10-1 "Deuteronomy 10:1-5 - Moses Places the Tablets in the Ark")
* [Exodus 25:16](/exodus/25-16 "Exodus 25:16 - The Testimony in the Ark")
* [Romans 3:31](/romans/3-31 "Romans 3:31 - Upholding the Law Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detail in 2 Chronicles 5:10, though seemingly minor, offers a powerful reminder for believers today. It teaches us that while outward forms of worship, structures, or even spiritual experiences may change, the unchanging core of our relationship with God remains His holy character, His revealed Word, and His faithful covenant. The Law, though no longer a means of salvation for those in Christ, still serves as a perfect reflection of God's nature and a guide for righteous living. Just as God desired His Law to be at the very heart of His dwelling place among Israel, so too does He desire His Word to dwell richly within our hearts and minds, shaping our thoughts, desires, and actions. This verse calls us to prioritize God's truth and commands above all else, recognizing that true spiritual flourishing comes from aligning our lives with His unchanging will, not from fleeting experiences or external displays.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the enduring presence of only the Law in the Ark teach us about God's priorities for His people?**
* **How does the emphasis on God's covenant faithfulness at Horeb encourage us in our own walk of faith today?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to fill our "spiritual ark" with things other than God's unchanging Word and covenant?**
* **How can we ensure that God's Law, understood through the lens of Christ, remains central to our personal and corporate worship?**

### FAQ
**Why were only the two tables of the Law in the Ark, when other items like Aaron's rod or manna are sometimes mentioned as being associated with it?**

Answer: 2 Chronicles 5:10, along with its parallel in [1 Kings 8:9](/1_kings/8-9 "1 Kings 8:9 - Contents of the Ark"), explicitly states that by the time of Solomon's Temple dedication, only the two stone tablets of the Law were inside the Ark. While other items such as Aaron's rod that budded and a pot of manna are mentioned in [Hebrews 9:4](/hebrews/9-4 "Hebrews 9:4 - Items in the Tabernacle") as being *within* the Ark, and in [Exodus 16:33-34](/exodus/16-33 "Exodus 16:33-34 - Pot of Manna") and [Numbers 17:10](/numbers/17-10 "Numbers 17:10 - Aaron's Rod") as being placed *before* or *beside* the Ark of the Testimony, it is likely that these items were either removed over time or were never permanently stored *inside* the Ark itself. The Chronicler's emphasis on the Law's sole presence highlights its supreme and enduring significance as the core of God's covenant with Israel, distinguishing it from other miraculous but temporary testimonies of God's provision and judgment. The Law remained the foundational expression of God's character and His demands for His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The specificity of 2 Chronicles 5:10, emphasizing that only the two tables of the Law remained in the Ark, powerfully foreshadows the fulfillment of God's covenant and His indwelling presence in Jesus Christ. The Ark, with the Law at its heart, symbolized God's desire to dwell among His people, but it was a veiled and external presence, accessible only to the high priest once a year. In Christ, the Law is not merely contained in a box, but perfectly embodied and fulfilled in a person. Jesus declared that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), living out its every demand in His sinless life. Furthermore, the New Covenant, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"), promises that God will write His Law not on tablets of stone, but "on their hearts." This is precisely what happens through the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sends to indwell believers, making them temples of the living God ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the ultimate reality to which the Ark and its contents pointed—God's holy presence dwelling intimately with His people, with His Law perfectly upheld and internalized—is fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 9:4

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Deuteronomy 10:2

And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.

Deuteronomy 10:5

And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

Exodus 24:7

And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

Exodus 24:8

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

2 Chronicles 6:11

And in it have I put the ark, wherein [is] the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: