Exodus 25:21

Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God gives this instruction to Moses during the tabernacle construction phase, directing the physical arrangement of the sacred furnishings.

The words — כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporet) = atonement cover or mercy seat; נָתַתָּ (natata) = you will put. The verb denotes deliberate placement, while the noun identifies the specific lid covering the ark.

The thread — Exodus 26:34 reiterates the command to place the atonement cover on the ark inside the Most Holy Place. Exodus 25:16 parallels the directive to place the Testimony inside the ark.

Why it lands — It requires exact obedience to divine placement rather than human design. The text establishes a fixed location for God's communication, grounding worship in commanded reality rather than speculation.

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

וְנָתַתָּ֧ve./na.ta.Taand/ you will put אֶת־'et-<obj.>הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶתha./ka.Po.retthe/ atonement cover עַל־'al-on הָאָרֹ֖ןha./'a.Ronthe/ ark מִלְמָ֑עְלָהmi/l./Ma.'e.la/hfrom/ to/ above/ <towards>וְאֶל־ve./'el-and/ into הָ֣אָרֹ֔ןha./'a.Ronthe/ ark תִּתֵּן֙ti.Tenyou will put אֶת־'et-<obj.>הָ֣עֵדֻ֔תha./'e.Dutthe/ testimony אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich אֶתֵּ֖ן'e.TenI will give אֵלֶֽיךָ׃'e.Lei./khato/ you

King James Version

And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

Cross-references

Exodus 26:34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.
Exodus 25:16 And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.