Exodus 25:10

Exodus 25:10 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And 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.

King James Version KJV

¶ And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

American Standard Version ASV

And they shall make an ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And they are to make an ark of hard wood; two and a half cubits long, and a cubit and a half wide and high.

Free Bible Version FBV

They are to make an Ark of acacia wood that measures two and a half cubits long by a cubit and a half wide by one and a half cubits high.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They shall make also an Arke of Shittim wood, two cubites and an halfe long, and a cubite and an halfe broade, and a cubite and an halfe hie.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And they have made an ark of shittim wood; two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height;

World English Bible WEB

“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Its length shall be two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its hight.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Frame an ark of setim wood, the length whereof shall be of two cubits and a half: the breadth, a cubit and a half: the height, likewise, a cubit and a half.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Tell the people to make a sacred chest from acacia wood. It is to be ◄45 in./110 cm.► long, ◄27 in./66 cm.► wide, and ◄27 in./66 cm.► high.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 25:10

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Exodus 25:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/עָשׂ֥וּ אֲר֖וֹן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֨יִם וָ/חֵ֜צִי אָרְכּ֗/וֹ וְ/אַמָּ֤ה וָ/חֵ֨צִי֙ רָחְבּ֔/וֹ וְ/אַמָּ֥ה וָ/חֵ֖צִי קֹמָתֽ/וֹ

וְ/עָשׂ֥וּ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-3cp

אֲר֖וֹן ʼârôwn H727 ark N-cs

עֲצֵ֣י ʻêts H6086 tree N-mp

שִׁטִּ֑ים shiṭṭâh H7848 acacia N-fp

אַמָּתַ֨יִם ʼammâh H520 cubit N-fd

וָ/חֵ֜צִי chêtsîy H2677 half Conj | N-ms

אָרְכּ֗/וֹ ʼôrek H753 length N-ms | Suff

וְ/אַמָּ֤ה ʼammâh H520 cubit Conj | N-fs

וָ/חֵ֨צִי֙ chêtsîy H2677 half Conj | N-ms

רָחְבּ֔/וֹ rôchab H7341 width N-ms | Suff

וְ/אַמָּ֥ה ʼammâh H520 cubit Conj | N-fs

וָ/חֵ֖צִי chêtsîy H2677 half Conj | N-ms

קֹמָתֽ/וֹ qôwmâh H6967 height N-fs | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 25:10

וְ/עָשׂ֥וּ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

אֲר֖וֹן ʼârôwn H727 "ark" N-cs

The Hebrew word for a box or chest, like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25:10-22. It can also mean a money chest or a coffin. In the Bible, it appears in stories about the Israelites and their sacred objects.

Definition: 1) chest, ark 1a) money chest 1b) Ark of the Covenant 2)(TWOT) coffin

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ark, chest, coffin. See also: Genesis 50:26; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 132:8.

עֲצֵ֣י ʻêts H6086 "tree" N-mp

This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.

Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax

Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.

שִׁטִּ֑ים shiṭṭâh H7848 "acacia" N-fp

The acacia tree, known for its thorns, is described by this word, which is also used to describe the wood used to build the Tabernacle in Exodus.

Definition: acacia tree, acacia wood

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: shittah, shittim. See also H1029 (בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה). See also: Exodus 25:5; Exodus 35:24; Isaiah 41:19.

אַמָּתַ֨יִם ʼammâh H520 "cubit" N-fd

A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.

Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)

Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.

וָ/חֵ֜צִי chêtsîy H2677 "half" Conj | N-ms

This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.

Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle

Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.

אָרְכּ֗/וֹ ʼôrek H753 "length" N-ms | Suff

Length can refer to physical distance or a long period of time, and also to patience and self-restraint, like waiting forever for something to happen.

Definition: 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)

Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] forever, length, long. See also: Genesis 6:15; Psalms 93:5; Psalms 21:5.

וְ/אַמָּ֤ה ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Conj | N-fs

Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.

וָ/חֵ֨צִי֙ chêtsîy H2677 "half" Conj | N-ms

This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.

Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle

Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.

רָחְבּ֔/וֹ rôchab H7341 "width" N-ms | Suff

This Hebrew word means width or breadth, used to describe physical size or space. It appears in the Bible to describe the width of the earth or a room. In the KJV, it is translated as breadth or broad.

Definition: breadth, width, expanse

Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. See also: Genesis 6:15; Ezekiel 40:13; Isaiah 8:8.

וְ/אַמָּ֥ה ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Conj | N-fs

Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.

וָ/חֵ֖צִי chêtsîy H2677 "half" Conj | N-ms

This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.

Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle

Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.

קֹמָתֽ/וֹ qôwmâh H6967 "height" N-fs | Suff

Qomah refers to height or stature, describing how tall someone or something is, like the height of a person or a building in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: 1) height 1a) height, stature 1b) height

Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:23; Isaiah 10:33.

Study Notes — Exodus 25:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Exodus 25:10 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 25:10
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 25:10
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 25:10
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 25:10
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 25:10
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 25:10
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 25:10
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 25:10
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 25:10
Sermons on Exodus 25:10

Context — The Ark of the Covenant

8And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. 9You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.

10And 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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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.
2	Exodus 37:1–3	Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. And he cast four gold rings for its four feet, two rings on one side and two on the other.
3	Deuteronomy 10:1–3	At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. 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.” So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands.
4	Revelation 11:19	Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
5	2 Chronicles 8:11	Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her. For he said, “My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the LORD has entered are holy.”

Exodus 25:10 Summary

The ark, as described in Exodus 25:10, was a special box made of strong, durable acacia wood, with specific dimensions that were important for its purpose. It was designed to hold the tablets of the covenant, which represented God's agreement with His people (as seen in Exodus 31:18 and Deuteronomy 9:10). The careful construction of the ark teaches us about the value of obedience and attention to detail in our service to God. Just as the ark was built to last, our commitment to following God's instructions should be enduring and unwavering, reflecting our love and reverence for Him (as expressed in John 14:15 and 1 John 5:3).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the ark being made of acacia wood?

The use of acacia wood for the ark, as mentioned in Exodus 25:10, signifies durability and resistance to decay, much like the eternal nature of God's covenant with His people, as seen in Exodus 31:7 and Deuteronomy 10:1-2.

Why are the specific dimensions of the ark important?

The precise dimensions of the ark, as outlined in Exodus 25:10, demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's instructions, as also emphasized in Exodus 25:9, where Moses is told to follow the pattern shown to him.

How does the construction of the ark relate to the tabernacle?

The ark, as described in Exodus 25:10, is a crucial component of the tabernacle, serving as the central receptacle for the tablets of the covenant, as mentioned in Exodus 25:16 and Deuteronomy 10:1-5, highlighting its role in the worship and covenant relationship between God and the Israelites.

What can we learn from the attention to detail in the ark's construction?

The detailed instructions for the ark's construction, including its dimensions and materials, as seen in Exodus 25:10-12, teach us about the value of diligence and careful obedience in our service to God, reflecting the principle that our offerings to Him should be our best, as expressed in Malachi 1:6-8.

Reflection Questions

As I consider the ark's construction, what areas of my life require more attention to detail and obedience to God's instructions?
How can I, like the Israelites, demonstrate my commitment to God's covenant by carefully following His commands, even in the smallest details?
In what ways can I apply the principle of using durable and lasting materials in my spiritual life, just as acacia wood was used for the ark?
What does the ark's role in the tabernacle teach me about the importance of reverence and respect in my worship and relationship with God?

Gill's Exposition on Exodus 25:10

And they shall make an ark of shittim wood,.... A chest or coffer to put things into, and into this were to be put the two tables of stone on which the law was written, and it was to be made of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 25:10

And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 25:10

An ark, or little chest, or coffer, for the uses after mentioned. Two cubits and a half; understand it of the common cubit, which is generally conceived to contain a foot and a half of our measure. See .

Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 25:10

Exodus 25:10 And they shall make an ark [of] shittim wood: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.Ver. 10. An ark.] Chest, or cabinet, wherein to keep the two tables of the law, signifying thereby that "Christ is the end of the law," covering the imperfection of our works.

Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 25:10

THE ARK.(10) They shall make an ark.—Arôn, the word here rendered “ark,” is an entirely different word from that previously so translated in Genesis 6:14; Exodus 2:3, which is tebah. Arôn is properly a chest or coffer of small dimensions, used to contain money or other valuables (2 Kings 12:9-10; 2 Chronicles 25:8-11, &c.). In one place it is applied to a mummy-case (Genesis 1:26). Here it designates a wooden chest three feet nine inches long, two feet three inches broad, and two feet three inches deep. The primary object of the ark was to contain the two tables of stone, written with the finger of God, which Moses was to receive before he came down from the mount. (See Exodus 24:12, and comp. Exodus 20:16.) Sacred coffers were important parts of the furniture of temples in Egypt. They usually contained the image or emblem of some deity, and were constructed so as to be readily carried in processions.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 25:10

Verse 10. They shall make an ark] ארון aron signifies an ark, chest, coffer, or coffin. It is used particularly to designate that chest or coffer in which the testimony or two tables of the covenant was laid up, on the top of which was the propitiatory or mercy-seat, (see on Exodus 25:17), and at the end of which were the cherubim of gold, (Exodus 25:18-20), between whom the visible sign of the presence of the supreme God appeared as seated upon his throne. The ark was the most excellent of all the holy things which belonged to the Mosaic economy, and for its sake the tabernacle and the temple were built, Exodus 26:33; Exodus 40:18; Exodus 40:21. It was considered as conferring a sanctity wherever it was fixed, 2 Chronicles 8:11; 2 Samuel 6:12. Two cubits and a half shall be the length, &c.] About four feet five inches in length, taking the cubit as twenty-one inches, and two feet six inches in breadth and in depth. As this ark was chiefly intended to deposit the two tables of stone in, which had been written by the finger of God, we may very reasonably conjecture that the length of those tables was not less than four feet and their breadth not less than two. As to their thickness we can say nothing, as the depth of the ark was intended for other matters besides the two tables, such as Aaron's rod, the pot of manna, &c., &c., though probably these were laid up beside, not in, the ark.

Cambridge Bible on Exodus 25:10

10. an ark] The Heb. word (’ârôn: not the word used of Moses ‘ark,’ Exodus 2:3) signifies a box or chest: it is used in Genesis 50:26 of a mummy case, and in 2 Kings 12:9-10, of a coffer for the collection of money. The cubit may be reckoned approximately at 18 inches1[200]. [200] The dimensions of the restored Temple, pictured by Ezek., are given (Ezekiel 40:5; Ezekiel 43:13) in cubits measuring ‘a cubit and an handbreadth’ (=a cubit +1/6); and this fact, taken in conjunction with 2 Chronicles 3:3 [read former for first], has led to the conclusion that the cubit in use when the Temple was built was longer than the common cubit of Ez.’s day by 1/6th. The shorter cubit is estimated at 17.6–7 inches, and the longer at 20.5–6 inches (see DB. iv. 906b ff.; or EB. iv. 5292 f.). Which cubit is referred to by P is uncertain: but for the purpose of forming a general idea of the Tabernacle, as conceived by him, the difference is immaterial. It is remarkable that in Egypt also two cubits were in use, of almost exactly the same lengths, the ‘short cubit (= 17.68 in.) of 6 handbreadths, and the ‘royal’ cubit of 7 handbreadths (DB iv. 907b).

Barnes' Notes on Exodus 25:10

(compare Exodus 37:1-5). The ark is uniformly designated in Exodus the ark of the testimony.

Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 25:10

10. Shittim wood — Its material, observes Stanley, “was not of oak, the usual wood of Palestine, nor of cedar, the usual wood employed in Palestine for sacred purposes, but of shittim, or acacia, a

Sermons on Exodus 25:10

	Sermon	Description
	(Exodus) Exodus 25:10-19 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat in the tabernacle. He explains that the Ark was made of chitim wood and overla
	Hebrews 1, 2 & 3 - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking again at Jesus and understanding the greatness of Christ. The speaker encourages the audience to recognize that the
	Bringing Back the Ark by J.C. Hibbard	In this sermon, the preacher discusses various instances in the Bible where God intervened in the affairs of humanity. He starts with the story of Adam and Eve being expelled from
	Soaring 2 - Burdens & Gifts by Gareth Evans	In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a story from the book of Kings in the Old Testament. The story is about a little bundle that learns to fly and soar without moving its
	The Tabernacle 09 Mercy Seat-Cheribum by J. Henry Brown	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the uncertainty and questions that arise in life. They ponder why certain things happen and why they cannot fully understand them. The sermo
	The Ark of the Covenant by George Warnock	George Warnock emphasizes the significance of the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat as God's dwelling place, illustrating how God initiates a relationship with humanity from H
	The Ark of the Covenant by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the significance of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, highlighting how it represents Christ as the Ark of redemption, the embodiment of the Law, a