We are in chapter twenty-five of Exodus with our word for today. עֵדוּת witness, testimony, laws, legal provisions, precepts. It is used 83 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used in the sense of regulation as an authoritative rule. Deuteronomy 6:17, 20 Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God וְעֵדֹתָ֥יו and the stipulations and decrees he has given you … In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of הָעֵדֹ֗ת the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” 2 Chronicles 34:31 The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, וְעֵֽדְוֺתָ֣יו testimonies and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. Our word is also used in the sense of a solemn statement made under oath or as part of a covenant. 2 Kings 23:3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, עֵדְוֺתָ֤יו testimonies and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. We also see our word used in the sense of the written copy on stone of the regulations of the covenant given to Moses, functioning as a witness between the parties. It can also refer to the tablets and their container. Exodus 31:18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of הָעֵדֻ֑ת the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 32:15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of הָעֵדֻ֖ת the testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. Exodus 16:34 As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of הָעֵדֻ֖ת the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 25:16 And you shall put into the ark הָעֵדֻ֔ת the testimony that I shall give you. It is interesting that the word used to describe the tablets of God’s word written down is from the agreement covenant legal world. God is wanting to make it official and put it on the record that he loves us and wants us to be connected and close to him. These are not just a bunch of rules but a protective love as a Father who cares for us from the heart. David understood this as we see in several of his Psalms. I’ll close with these great reminders of the benefits of God’s testimonies his covenant law for us. Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant וְעֵדֹתָֽיו and his testimonies. Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the עֵד֥וּת testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 119:24 עֵ֭דֹתֶיךָ Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
