The ark of the testimony is listed simply as “the ark” in 35.12. This expression is first mentioned in 26.33. (See the comment there.) This ark, of course, is the same as “the ark of the covenant” (New Revised Standard Version), or “the Covenant Box” (Good News Translation), but the testimony refers to the “reminders,” or “the commandments” (New American Bible) written on “the stone tablets” (Good News Translation) that were placed inside. With its poles is literally “and its poles.” The mercy seat was the “lid” (Good News Translation) to the “Box.” (See the comment at 25.17.)

The table, listed in 35.13, is described in 25.23 and 37.10. With all its utensils includes the carrying poles as well as the different “vessels” mentioned in 25.29 and 37.16. The bread of the Presence is mentioned in 25.30. (See the comment there.)

The lampstand of pure gold is literally “the pure lampstand [menorah].” The word gold is not in the text, but it is implied from the description in 25.31 and 37.17. And its lamps is literally “with its lamps” (New Revised Standard Version). These were the seven lamps mentioned in 25.37 and 37.23. With the lamps set is literally “lamps of the row.” This may mean that the lamps were already placed on the lampstand, or that they were “arranged” (Durham) in some order, or that they were “to be set in a row” (Translator’s Old Testament). New American Bible has “with its lamps set up on it,” which seems most likely. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version omit this phrase entirely.

And all its utensils refers to the “snuffers” and “trays” that were to be kept with the lampstand. (See the comment at 25.38 and at 37.23.) And the oil for the light, literally “and the oil of the luminary,” refers to the olive oil to be burned in the lamps. (See the comment at 25.6.)

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 .