Joshua 4:16

The testimony. The word עֵדוּת though derived from the same root as עֵד witness, would seem rather to have the sense of precept, from the idea of repetition contained in the root. Compare the well known Hebrew particle עוֹד again. It must refer to the two tables of the law which ( Hebrews 10:4 ) were placed in the ark (see Deuteronomy 10:5 , and comp. Exodus 25:16 , Exodus 25:21 , Exodus 25:40 , Numbers 17:10 , where this is said to be the testimony). Other things were placed in the ark, such as the manna, Aaron's rod, and these, no doubt, were for a witness to the facts of the Mosaic record. The LXX ; however, consistently render this word by μαρτύρια μαρτύριον . The Vulgate here has arcam foederis.