Exodus 39:35 — Word Study
WLCאֶת־ אֲרֹ֥ן הָעֵדֻ֖ת וְאֶת־ בַּדָּ֑יו וְאֵ֖ת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃
BSAthe arkʼârôwn [sacred chest, container of the covenant] of the Testimonyʻêdûwth [God's laws, witness to His presence] with its polesbad [staves, carrying bars] and the mercy seatkappôreth [atonement cover, lid of reconciliation, place of propitiation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| אֲרֹ֥ן | [the] ark of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הָעֵדֻ֖ת | the testimony | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| בַּדָּ֑יו | poles its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וְאֵ֖ת | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃ | the atonement cover | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the mercy seat; |
| KJV | The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, |
| ASV | the ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy-seat; |
| YLT | the ark of the testimony and its staves, and the mercy-seat; |
| WEB | the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, |
| BBE | The ark of the law, with its rods and its cover; |
Where translations part company is בַּדָּיו — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence presents one main idea with additional details following, clearly outlining the components of the Ark.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 39:35
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Construction of the Tabernaclegenerated
Exodus 39:35 describes the Ark of the Testimony, a crucial item in the tabernacle that symbolizes God's presence among His people. The instructions for the Ark and its accessories reflect the importance of holiness and obedience in worship. This verse is part of a larger section detailing the construction and arrangement of the tabernacle and its furnishings, as seen in Exodus 25:10-22.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 25:17 | And you are to construct a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. |
| 2 | Hebrews 9:5–8 | Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲרוֹן, 'a.Rongenerated
The word אֲרוֹן ('a.Ron) refers to a 'chest' or 'ark,' specifically the Ark of the Covenant. It is a masculine singular noun that indicates a sacred container, built from the root meaning 'gathering.' This word is significant in the context of the tabernacle, where the Ark serves as a symbol of God's covenant with Israel.
The Ark's importance is underscored by its role in worship and its connection to God's laws, as it houses the tablets of the covenant. The Ark is not just a physical object; it represents the divine presence and the relationship between God and His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the noun phrase אֲרוֹן, 'the ark', which is followed by several noun phrases: הָעֵדֻ֖ת ('of the Testimony'), בַּדָּיו ('its poles'), and הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת ('the atonement cover'). The structure emphasizes the components of the Ark, listing them in a straightforward manner.
The Hebrew word order places the Ark first, highlighting its significance, followed by its defining characteristics and accessories.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses the term κιβωτὸν for אֲרוֹן, indicating a broader understanding of the Ark as a container. This choice reflects the Greek translators' intent to convey the Ark's function as a sacred repository.
The Greek term διαθήκης for הָעֵדֻ֖ת emphasizes the covenant aspect of the testimony, aligning with the overall theme of God's laws and His relationship with Israel.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 39:35 describes the Ark of the Testimony, which is a sacred chest that contains God's laws. It includes its poles for carrying and the mercy seat, which is the cover representing God's mercy. This verse is part of the instructions for the tabernacle, highlighting the importance of these sacred items.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Ark of the Testimony represents God's presence among His people and contains the tablets of the covenant, symbolizing His laws and guidance.
The mercy seat is where the High Priest would perform rituals for atonement, symbolizing reconciliation between God and His people.
The poles are used to carry the Ark, emphasizing its sacredness and the care taken in transporting it.
This verse highlights the Ark's central role in the tabernacle, which served as the place of worship and God's dwelling among the Israelites.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the Ark of the Testimony teach us about God's presence in our lives today?
- How can we understand the significance of the mercy seat in relation to our need for reconciliation?
- In what ways can we honor God's laws as represented by the tablets in the Ark?
- How does the care taken in transporting the Ark reflect our attitude towards sacred things?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 39:35 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 39 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersTHE OF THE WORK TO MOSES, AND HIS OF IT.(33-43) It is probable that the various parts of the work were presented to Moses for inspection as they were completed; that if they did not satisfy him, they might be altered and amended at once. Moses alone had seen “the pattern in the mount,” and Moses alone could say if the work came up to the required standard. We are not told that anything was rejected; and it is quite possible that all the portions of the work were satisfactorily rendered at their first essay by the several workmen; for the workmen, it must be remembered, besides receiving instructions from Moses, were divinely assisted in the production of their several works (Exo. 36:42).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 39 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges35. the ark of the testimony] See on Exodus 25:16.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 39 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE HOLY OF THE PRIESTS, Exodus 39:1-31 See notes on Exodus 28. ALL BROUGHT TO MOSES AND , Exodus 39:32-43.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 39 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the mercy seat;
the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat,
the ark of the Testimony with its poles and the mercy seat;
the ark of the testimony and its poles, and the atonement lid;
Tyndale line
The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat,
the ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy-seat;
the ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy-seat;
The ark of the testimony, and its staffs, and the mercy-seat,
The Arke of the Testimony, and the barres thereof, and the Merciseate,
Strictly literal
the ark of the testimony, and its staves, and the mercy-seat;
the ark of the testimony and its staves, and the mercy-seat;
the Ark of the Testimony and its poles, and the propitiatory covering;
The ark of the testimony, and its staves, and the mercy-seat;
the ark of the testimony, as well as the poles and the atonement lid.
From the Latin
The table, with the vessels thereof, and the loaves of proposition:
Simplified
the Ark of the Testimony with its poles and the atonement cover;
The ark of the law, with its rods and its cover;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text presents the verse as אֶת־ אֲרֹ֥ן הָעֵדֻ֖ת וְאֶת־ בַּדָּ֑יו וְאֵ֖ת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, using ארון (ark) and עדות (reminder) instead of the Masoretic terms, indicating a variation in terminology but not in meaning.
אֶת־ אֲרֹ֥ן הָעֵדֻ֖ת וְאֶת־ בַּדָּ֑יו וְאֵ֖ת הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃
3 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
את ארון העדות ואת בדיו ואת הכפרת
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: ארון (ark), עדות (reminder)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 39:35
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word אֲרוֹן, transliterated as arown, means 'chest' or 'ark.' It can refer to various types of containers, including a money chest, the Ark of the Covenant, and even a coffin. The word is built from the root meaning 'gathering' and is used in contexts related to sacred and practical storage.
אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן 203 n.m. chest, ark
chest, for money-offerings
sarcophagus, mummy-case
chest, ark in tabernacle & temple
base
H727 אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן chest, ark
727 'arown aw-rone'
or laron {aw-rone'}; from 717 (in the sense of gathering); a
box:--ark, chest, coffin.
see HEBREW for 0717
אֲרוֹן (a.ron) — ark.
1) chest, ark
1a) money chest
1b) Ark of the Covenant
2)(TWOT) coffin
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.
עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony
base
H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony
5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'
feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.
see HEBREW for 05707
עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.
testimony
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
Testimony
(1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10).
(2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God’s will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20).
(3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).
The whole revelation of God, testifying to man what he is to believe, do, and hope, Ps 19:7 119:88,99 1Co 1:6 Re 1:2. The two stone tables of the law were a visible "testimony" or witness of God’s covenant with his people; and hence the ark of the covenant was called sometimes the testimony, or the ark of the testimony, Ex 25:22 34:29. See ARK.
→ LEGAL
See EVIDENCE
See WITNESSES
Ark of
See ARK
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
בַּד (bad) refers to separation or being alone, often indicating a part or branch of something. It can denote physical separation, such as limbs or bars, as well as figurative uses like 'chief of a city.' The entries consistently highlight meanings related to being apart or alone, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
בַּד, בָּ֑ד n.m. separation, concr. part
prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
concr. part
parts, specif. extended from something
base
H905 בַּד, בָּ֑ד separation, concr. part . prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
. concr. part
. parts, specif. extended from something
905 bad bad
from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the
body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief
of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an
adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides,
branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff,
strength.
see HEBREW for 0909
בַּד (bad) — alone: pole.
: pole
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone.
: alone
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: each.
: each
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: besides.
: besides/apart from
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporeth) refers to the 'mercy seat,' a term used specifically for the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. It is described as a place of atonement where the High Priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing reconciliation between God and His people. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to cover,' but some lexicons dispute the appropriateness of this derivation.
כַּפֹּרֶת n. propitiatory, late techn. word cover over sin: the older explan. cover, lid has no justification in usage
base
H3727 כַּפֹּרֶת propitiatory, late techn. word cover over sin: the older explan. cover, lid has no justification in usage
3727 kapporeth kap-po'-reth
from 3722; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred
Ark):--mercy seat.
see HEBREW for 03722
כַּפֹּרֶת (kap.po.ret) — mercy seat.
1) mercy-seat, place of atonement
1a) the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people
1a1) the slab of gold on top of the ark of the covenant which measured 2.5 by 1.5 cubits; on it and part of it were the two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together above and constituted the throne of God
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa