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Deuteronomy 31:25

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 31:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,
Deuteronomy 31:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
23And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
24And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
25that Moses commanded the Levites, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, saying,
26Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
27For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death?
28Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
← Deuteronomy 31:24Deuteronomy 31:26 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That Moses commanded the Levites, etc.] These were not the common Levites, but the priests who were also Levites, to whom the law was given, (<053109>Deuteronomy 31:9); and none but they might touch the ark, or go so near it as, they are bid to do, to put the law on the side of it; so Aben Ezra; it follows, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord; as the priests are said to do, (see Gill on “<053109>Deuteronomy 31:9”); for though in journeying the Kohathites carried it, yet not until it was covered by the priests, for they must not touch it; as these must do when they put the law on the side of it, as they are ordered in (<053126>Deuteronomy 31:26). saying; as follows.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moses completes the writing out of the book of the Law, and directs it to be placed by the ark of the covenant. Deuteronomy 31:24 The “book” here spoken of would contain the whole Pentateuch up to this verse, and be “the Book of Moses,” called generally by the Jews “the Law” (compare Matthew 22:40; Galatians 4:21). Deuteronomy 31:25 The Levites, which bare the ark - i. e., as in Deuteronomy 31:9, “the priests the sons of Levi.” The non-priestly Levites could not so much as enter the sanctuary or touch the ark (compare Numbers 4:15). Though in the journeys through the wilderness the ark was borne by the non-priestly Kohathites, yet on occasions of a more solemn and public character it was…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Levites - The priests, Deu 31:9, who also were Levites. Deuteronomy 31:26”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bare the ark: Deu 31:9 Deuteronomy 31:26”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 31 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification