10 And they are to make an ark of hard wood; two and a half cubits long, and a cubit and a half wide and high. 11 It is to be plated inside and out with the best gold, with an edge of gold all round it 12 And make four rings of gold for it, to be fixed on its four feet, two rings on one side of it and two on the other. 13 And make rods of the same wood, plating them with gold. 14 And put the rods through the rings at the sides of the ark, for lifting it. 15 The rods are to be kept in the rings, and never taken out. 16 Inside the ark you are to put the record which I will give you. 17 And you are to make a cover of the best gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 25:10-17
Commentary on Exodus 25:10-22
(Read Exodus 25:10-22)
The ark was a chest, overlaid with gold, in which the two tables of the law were to be kept. These tables are called the testimony; God in them testified his will. This law was a testimony to the Israelites, to direct them in their duty, and would be a testimony against them, if they transgressed. This ark was placed in the holy of holies; the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled, and the incense burned, before it, by the high priest; and above it appeared the visible glory, which was the symbol of the Divine presence. This was a type of Christ in his sinless nature, which saw no corruption, in personal union with his Divine nature, atoning for our sins against it, by his death. The cherubim of gold looked one towards another, and both looked downward toward the ark. It denotes the angels' attendance on the Redeemer, their readiness to do his will, their presence in the assemblies of saints, and their desire to look into the mysteries of the gospel. It was covered with a covering of gold, called the mercy-seat. God is said to dwell, or sit between the cherubim, on the mercy-seat. There he would give his law, and hear supplicants, as a prince on his throne.