Verses 1-2 repeat the details mentioned in 25.10-11. The wording is almost identical, but here Bezalel is named as the one who made the ark. The definite article the is used here instead of “an ark” in 25.10, since this is now “old information.” But in some languages it will be more natural style to retain the indefinite article. In contrast with 25.10, which says “they shall make an ark,” it seems that Bezalel alone actually did the work, at least as far as the ark is concerned. (See also 36.8.)

And he overlaid it uses the same verb as 25.11, but here the verb is not repeated as it is there. The only other difference is that here, in reference to the molding, the Hebrew says “he made it for the ark,” while in 25.11 it says “upon the ark.” Good News Translation has “put a gold border around it,” and Contemporary English Version has “and put a gold edging around the top.”

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 .