And he took the testimony means that “he took the two stone tablets” (Good News Translation). (See the comment at verse 3 above.) And put it into the ark means that he placed “them” inside “the Covenant Box” (Good News Translation). The Hebrew literally says “and he took and he gave the testimony unto the ark.” Two separate actions are not intended by this Hebrew expression, so one may simply say “he placed the stone tablets inside the ark.” Moffatt has “He placed the law inside the ark.” An American Translation has “Taking the decrees, he put them inside the ark.” Contemporary English Version states “The stones with the Ten Commandments written on them were stored in the sacred chest.”

And put the poles on the ark, literally “and he placed the poles upon the ark,” means that he inserted them through the rings that were on the sides of the ark. And set the mercy seat above on the ark, literally “and he gave [or, put] the kapporeth upon the ark from above,” simply means that he “put the lid on it” (Good News Translation). (But see the comment at 25.17.)

And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, literally “and he caused the ark to enter unto the mishkan,” means that “he put the Box in the Tent” (Good News Translation). And set up is literally “and he placed.” The veil of the screen is literal but confusing, for it uses the two terms that distinguish the veil of the Holy of Holies from the screen of the Holy Place. (See 26.33 and 36.) It is better to say “the curtain for screening” (New Revised Standard Version) or “the shielding curtain” (New International Version). And screened the ark of the testimony, literally “and he isolated [or, covered over] the ark of the testimony,” uses the same verb as verse 3 above. The noun for screen comes from this same verb.

As the LORD had commanded Moses is the second use of the formula first used in 39.1. (See the comment there and at verse 19 above.) As explained at verse 19, it is better to say “as Yahweh had commanded him.” Because of the repetition in this verse, it may be more natural simply to say “Then he put the ark inside the tent, hung up the veil, and screened it off, just as Yahweh had commanded him” or “The chest was brought into the tent and set behind the curtain in the most holy place. These things were done exactly as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .