Exodus 40:20

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took {H3947} and put {H5414} the testimony {H5715} into the ark {H727}, and set {H7760} the staves {H905} on the ark {H727}, and put {H5414} the mercy seat {H3727} above {H4605} upon the ark {H727}:

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.

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.

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 40:20 marks a pivotal moment in the completion of the Tabernacle, detailing Moses' precise placement of the most sacred elements within the Ark of the Covenant: the "testimony" (the tablets of the Law), the "staves" for carrying, and the "mercy seat" above. This act signifies the meticulous fulfillment of God's divine blueprint for His dwelling place among Israel, establishing the heart of the sanctuary and symbolically encapsulating profound truths about God's righteous demands and His provision for atonement and mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 40:20 is situated within the final chapter of Exodus, which meticulously chronicles the successful completion and erection of the Tabernacle, followed by its consecration and the anointing of the priests. The preceding chapters (Exodus 35-39) detail the construction process, emphasizing the Israelites' faithful adherence to the divine instructions given on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"). Chapter 40 serves as the grand finale, with Moses assembling the Tabernacle components in order, culminating in the placement of the sacred articles. This verse, specifically, focuses on the Ark of the Covenant, the most holy item, signifying the establishment of the very core of God's dwelling. The immediate subsequent verses describe the placement of the veil and other furnishings, leading to the climactic moment where the [glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle](/exodus/40-34 "Exodus 40:34 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Tabernacle"), confirming God's acceptance and presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle was a monumental undertaking for the nascent nation of Israel, newly delivered from Egyptian bondage and journeying through the wilderness. It served as God's portable sanctuary, symbolizing His presence in their midst and His covenant relationship with them. Culturally, this mirrored the practice of ancient Near Eastern peoples who often housed their deities in portable shrines or temples. However, the Israelite Tabernacle was unique in its divine origin and the explicit instructions for its construction, emphasizing the holiness and transcendence of Yahweh. The Ark of the Covenant, in particular, was not merely a box but represented God's throne, the place where He would meet with His people ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Promise to Meet at the Mercy Seat")). The placement of the Law inside and the Mercy Seat above it was culturally significant, demonstrating that God's justice (Law) was always covered by His grace (Mercy Seat), a concept central to their sacrificial system and the [Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Testimony (Hebrew, _‘ēdût'_):** This term refers specifically to the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 31:18](/exodus/31-18 "Exodus 31:18 - The Tablets of Testimony")). It signifies the covenant stipulations, the witness to God's righteous character, and His binding agreement with Israel. Placing the "testimony" within the Ark underscored the centrality of God's Law to the covenant relationship and the Ark's role as the repository of this divine witness.
* **Ark (Hebrew, _’ārôn'_):** More than just a box, the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred piece of furniture in the Tabernacle. It was a chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, serving as the symbolic throne or footstool of God's invisible presence. Its holiness was such that it could not be touched directly, necessitating the "staves" for transport. The Ark’s contents—the tablets of the Law, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a jar of manna ([Hebrews 9:4](/hebrews/9-4 "Hebrews 9:4 - Contents of the Ark"))—represented God's covenant, His divine authority, and His provision.
* **Mercy Seat (Hebrew, _kappōret'_):** This golden lid covering the Ark was arguably the most significant component. Derived from the verb _kāpar_ ("to cover," "to atone"), the _kappōret_ was the place where the High Priest sprinkled the blood of the sin offering on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16:14-15](/leviticus/16-14 "Leviticus 16:14-15 - Sprinkling Blood on the Mercy Seat")). It was the point of propitiation, where God's justice was satisfied and His mercy extended, allowing for the forgiveness of sins and the maintenance of His holy presence among an unholy people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took and put the testimony into the ark,"**: This clause describes Moses' direct action of placing the sacred stone tablets of the Ten Commandments inside the Ark of the Covenant. This act formally established the Ark as the "Ark of the Testimony," emphasizing its function as the container for God's divine Law and the witness to His covenant with Israel. It signifies the foundational role of God's revealed will at the heart of their worship.
* **"and set the staves on the ark,"**: The "staves" were long poles, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, which were inserted through rings on the sides of the Ark. This detail highlights the Ark's portability, as it was designed to be carried by the Levites during Israel's wilderness wanderings. More importantly, it underscored the Ark's extreme holiness; the staves ensured that no one touched the Ark directly, preventing defilement and emphasizing the reverence required in handling God's sacred presence.
* **"and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:"**: This final action completes the Ark's assembly. The "mercy seat," a solid gold slab with two cherubim facing each other, was placed on top of the Ark, covering the "testimony" within. Its position "above" the Law is profoundly symbolic, signifying that God's grace and provision for atonement (represented by the mercy seat) ultimately cover and mediate His righteous demands (represented by the Law). This arrangement was the focal point where God promised to meet with Moses and commune with His people ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Promise to Meet at the Mercy Seat")).

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 40:20 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with each component of the Ark carrying deep theological meaning. The "testimony" **symbolizes** God's holy Law and His covenant demands. The "ark" itself **symbolizes** God's throne and His dwelling presence among His people. The "mercy seat" **symbolizes** God's provision for atonement and His gracious willingness to forgive, covering the demands of the Law. There is also an element of **metonymy**, where "testimony" is used to refer to the tablets of stone on which the commandments were written. Furthermore, the entire arrangement of the Law inside and the Mercy Seat above serves as **foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment of both Law and grace in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as He perfectly fulfills the Law and becomes the ultimate propitiation for sin. The meticulous detail in the description also emphasizes **divine order** and Moses' **obedient execution** of God's precise instructions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 40:20 encapsulates core theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. The placement of the "testimony" (Law) within the Ark, covered by the "mercy seat," profoundly illustrates the tension and resolution between God's perfect righteousness and His boundless mercy. It reveals that while God's holy standards are absolute and unchanging, His provision for atonement ensures that His people can stand in His presence. This arrangement was the physical manifestation of God's desire to dwell among a people who, though imperfect, were covered by His grace. It underscores the necessity of a mediator and a means of propitiation for sin, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament.

* [Leviticus 16:14-15](/leviticus/16-14 "Leviticus 16:14-15 - The Ritual of Atonement on the Mercy Seat")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as the Propitiation")
* [Hebrews 9:3-5](/hebrews/9-3 "Hebrews 9:3-5 - Description of the Ark and Mercy Seat in the Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous care taken in assembling the Ark and placing its sacred contents in Exodus 40:20 calls us to reflect on the sacredness of God's presence and His Word in our own lives. Just as the Law was placed at the very heart of the Tabernacle, so too should God's Word be central to our thoughts, decisions, and actions. This verse reminds us that true worship involves both reverence for God's holy standards and a humble reliance on His grace. The powerful imagery of the mercy seat covering the testimony provides immense comfort: our failures to perfectly uphold God's Law are not the final word, for God has provided a means of atonement. This should lead us to a posture of humility, gratitude, and confident approach to God, knowing that His mercy triumphs over judgment. It challenges us to consider where God's Word and His grace truly reside in the "ark" of our own hearts and lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the placement of the "testimony" (Law) within the Ark, covered by the "mercy seat," inform your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways do you prioritize God's Word ("testimony") in your daily life, and how does your understanding of God's "mercy seat" influence your approach to Him?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure that God's grace (mercy) consistently covers your shortcomings in living according to His righteous standards (Law)?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Ark of the Covenant?**

Answer: The Ark of the Covenant served multiple critical purposes. Primarily, it was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's invisible throne and His dwelling presence among His people. It was the place where God promised to meet with Moses and commune with Israel ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Promise to Meet at the Mercy Seat")). It also functioned as a repository for the "testimony" (the tablets of the Law), signifying the centrality of God's covenant and His righteous standards. Furthermore, with the mercy seat atop it, it was the focal point for atonement on the Day of Atonement, where the High Priest would sprinkle blood to make propitiation for the sins of the nation ([Leviticus 16:14-15](/leviticus/16-14 "Leviticus 16:14-15 - Sprinkling Blood on the Mercy Seat")).

**Why was the "mercy seat" so significant, and what does its name imply?**

Answer: The "mercy seat" (Hebrew: _kappōret_) was profoundly significant because it was the place of propitiation and atonement. Its name is derived from the Hebrew verb _kāpar_, meaning "to cover" or "to atone." This golden lid, placed above the Law within the Ark, was where the blood of the sin offering was sprinkled by the High Priest on the annual Day of Atonement. This ritual act symbolically "covered" the sins of the people, allowing a holy God to dwell among an unholy people without consuming them. It was the physical representation of God's gracious provision for forgiveness, demonstrating that His mercy triumphs over the just demands of His Law. This concept ultimately foreshadows Christ as our ultimate propitiation ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as the Propitiation")).

**What is the theological significance of the "testimony" being placed _inside_ the Ark and the "mercy seat" being placed _above_ it?**

Answer: This specific arrangement carries immense theological weight. The "testimony" (the Law) placed _inside_ the Ark signifies that God's righteous demands and His holy standards are foundational and inherent to His character and His covenant. They are not to be forgotten or set aside. The "mercy seat" placed _above_ the Law, however, powerfully illustrates that God's provision for atonement and His boundless mercy ultimately "cover" or mediate the demands of His Law. It shows that while humanity consistently falls short of God's perfect standards, God Himself provides the means for reconciliation and forgiveness. This spatial relationship beautifully prefigures the New Covenant reality where Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law and became the ultimate "mercy seat" or propitiation, allowing us to approach God not based on our obedience to the Law, but on His grace through Christ's sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 40:20, with its meticulous arrangement of the "testimony" (Law) inside the Ark and the "mercy seat" above it, serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Law, representing God's perfect righteousness and humanity's inability to meet it, finds its complete fulfillment in Christ, who perfectly kept every command ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). More significantly, the "mercy seat" is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ as our ultimate propitiation. Just as the blood of animals was sprinkled on the mercy seat to atone for sin in the Old Covenant, Jesus Christ, through His own perfect and sinless blood, became the once-for-all sacrifice, the very "propitiation for our sins" ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Our Sins")). He is the true "mercy seat" ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as the Propitiation")), through whom God's righteous demands are satisfied and His boundless mercy is extended to all who believe. In Christ, the Law is not abolished but fulfilled, and its condemnation is covered by His atoning grace, allowing us to draw near to God with confidence, not through a physical ark, but through our great High Priest who has entered the true heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ Enters the Heavenly Sanctuary")).

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

Exodus 16:34

As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Exodus 40:3

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Romans 3:25

Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

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;

Matthew 3:15

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.