Deuteronomy 31:25

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD:

American Standard Version (1901)

that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,

Bible in Basic English

Moses said to the Levites who were responsible for taking up the ark of the Lord's agreement,

Douay-Rheims 1899

He commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. saying:

Free Bible Version

he ordered the Levites who carried the Ark of the Lord's Agreement:

Geneva Bible 1599

Then Moses commanded the Leuites, which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, saying,

King James (Authorized) Version

That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

One Unity Resource Bible

Moses [Drawn out] enjoined the Levites [Descendants of United with], who bore the ark of Adonai ’s covenant, saying,

Translation for Translators

Then Moses/I told the descendants of Levi, who were carrying the Sacred Chest that contained the Ten Commandments,

Unlocked Literal Bible

that he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and he said,

Noah Webster Bible

That Moses commanded the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

World English Bible

Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, saying,

Young's Literal Translation

that Moses commandeth the Levites bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,

Context

The Law Placed in the Ark

²⁴When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end,²⁵he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD:²⁶“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.

Summary

This verse records the command given by Moses to the Levites to place the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the Israelites. The placement of the Law symbolized God's covenant with His people and served as a reminder of their obligations to obey His commands. By having the Law near the Ark, the Israelites were constantly confronted with God's standards and their need for repentance and obedience. This act underscored the importance of God's Word in guiding and shaping the lives of His chosen people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Take this book of the law,.... Not Deuteronomy only, but the whole Pentateuch: and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God; not in the ark, for there were nothing there but the two tables of stone with the ten commands on them, Kg1 8:9; but on one side of it; the Targum of Jonathan says, it was"put in a chest (or box) on the right side of the ark of the covenant;''which is very probable. Jarchi observes, that the wise men of Israel are divided about it in the Talmud (e); some of them say there was a table (or ledge) that stood out from the ark without, and there it was put; others say it was put on the side of the tables of the law within the ark; the former are in the right: that it may be therefore a witness against thee; when they fall into idolatry or any other sin, a transgression of any of the laws therein contained. (e) T. B. Bava Bathra, fol. 14. 1. 2.