Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. And there they are unto this day.] This proves that the book was written before the destruction of the first temple, but how long before we cannot tell.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The bringing in the ark, is the end which must crown the work: this wa done with great solemnity. The ark was fixed in the place appointed for its rest in the inner part of the house, whence they expected God to speak to them, even in the most holy place. The staves of the ark wer drawn out, so as to direct the high priest to the mercy-seat over the ark, when he went in, once a year, to sprinkle the blood there; so tha they continued of use, though there was no longer occasion to carry it by them. The glory of God appearing in a cloud may signify, 1. The darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the light of the gospel, by which, with open face, we behold, as in a glass, the glor of the Lord. 2. The darkness of our present state, in comparison with the sight of God, which will be the happiness of heaven, where the Divine glory is unveiled.
Original Hebrew ויארכו748 הבדים905 ויראו7200 ראשׁי7218 הבדים905 מן4480 הקדשׁ6944 על5921 פני6440 הדביר1687 ולא3808 יראו7200 החוצה2351 ויהיו1961 שׁם8033 עד5704 היום3117 הזה׃2088
