Exodus 25:10-16·~1 min

The Ark of the Covenant

The ark's size, wood, gold overlay, and surrounding molding are given with care. Its construction is both sturdy and precious.

A¹⁰nd they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. ¹¹Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. ¹²Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.

Verse 10The people are to make an ark of acacia wood with specified dimensions.

It begins the ark instructions with its basic form.

Verse 11The ark is to be overlaid inside and out with pure gold and finished with a gold molding.

It marks the ark as precious and set apart.

Verse 12Four gold rings are to be cast and fixed to the ark's four feet, two on each side.

It prepares the ark for carrying.

Gold-covered poles are set permanently in the ark's rings so it can be carried. Inside it, Moses is to place the Testimony God will give.

¹³And make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. ¹⁴Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, in order to carry it. ¹⁵The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed. ¹⁶And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.

Verse 13Poles of acacia wood are to be made and overlaid with gold.

It provides the means by which the ark will be borne.

Verse 14The poles are to be inserted through the rings on the ark's sides for carrying it.

It explains how the ark is to be moved.

Verse 15The poles must remain in the rings and are not to be removed.

It makes the ark's readiness for transport permanent.

Verse 16The Testimony that God will give is to be placed inside the ark.

It gives the ark its defining contents and purpose.

Passage shape

A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.

vv. 10-12
The ark's size, wood, gold overlay, and surrounding molding are given with care. Its construction is both sturdy and precious.
These verses establish the ark's form and material character.
10 11 12
vv. 13-16
Gold-covered poles are set permanently in the ark's rings so it can be carried. Inside it, Moses is to place the Testimony God will give.
These verses define the ark's handling and its sacred contents.
13 14 15 16

Section summaryThe ark is described as an acacia chest overlaid with pure gold, fitted with rings and poles for carrying. It is made to hold the Testimony that the LORD will give, marking it as the vessel for His covenant word.

Role in the chapterThis section introduces the first and central furnishing of the sanctuary. It gives the ark a defined form, portability, and purpose before the chapter turns to what rests above it.