16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.
16 And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.
16 "Place The Testimony that I give you in the Chest.
16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.
16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 25:16
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.