Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 5:10
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records the ark’s placement in Solomon’s temple during the dedication procession, immediately after the priests emerge from the Holy Place and before the divine cloud fills the sanctuary.
The words — The Hebrew אֵין ('ein) translates literally as "there is none" and רַק (rak) as "only," framing the verse to declare exclusive contents rather than ritual significance.
The thread — This inventory points to Exodus 19:5 and Exodus 24:7 for the covenant made at Horeb, while Hebrews 9:4 later expands the ark’s contents to include a gold jar of manna and Aaron’s rod.
Why it lands — The text asserts that the stone tablets are the sole physical remnant of the Sinai covenant, requiring readers to anchor their understanding of God’s presence in written law rather than accumulated sacred objects.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 9:4 containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”
- Deuteronomy 10:2 And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.”
- 2 Chronicles 6:11 And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with the children of Israel.”
- Exodus 31:18 When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
- Exodus 32:15 Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.
- Exodus 32:19 As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.
- Exodus 34:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
- Exodus 40:20 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.