That Moses commanded the Levites,.... These were not the common Levites, but the priests who were also Levites, to whom the law was given, Deu 31:9; and none but they might touch the ark, or go so near it as, they are bid to do, to put the law on the side of it; so Aben Ezra; it follows: which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord; as the priests are said to do; see Gill on Deu 31:9; for though in journeying the Kohathites carried it, yet not until it was covered by the priests, for they must not touch it; as these must do when they put the law on the side of it, as they are ordered in Deu 31:26. saying; as follows.