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Version as of 01:59, 29 November 2013
Ark of the Covenant
Overview
The Ark consists of two main parts. Its lower half was a chest formed from wood and gold which contained the "עֵדֻת" (testimony), while its upper half was a cover of solid gold upon which stood the "כְּרֻבִים" (cherubs). Attached to the chest were a golden crown and gold rings through which were placed gilded wooden poles. Each and every feature of the Ark is the subject of controversy amongst the commentators, and many of these issues will be discussed below.
The Chest
Shemot 25:10-11 states that the chest of the Ark was made out of wood which was covered on both the inside and outside by gold. Despite the apparent clarity of these verses, there is a major disagreement between exegetes regarding the structure of the Ark and the nature of the gold covering. This dispute also has ramifications for understanding the relationship to the verses of Devarim 10:1-3 which refer to a wooden ark made by Moshe.
A Single Wooden Chest Plated with Gold Leaf
Three Chests – Inner and Outer Chests of Gold and a Middle Chest of Wood
Rings and Legs
Shemot 25:12 provides the following instructions:
וְיָצַקְתָּ לּוֹ אַרְבַּע טַבְּעֹת זָהָב וְנָתַתָּה עַל אַרְבַּע פַּעֲמֹתָיו וּשְׁתֵּי טַבָּעֹת עַל צַלְעוֹ הָאֶחָת וּשְׁתֵּי טַבָּעֹת עַל צַלְעוֹ הַשֵּׁנִית.
Commentators disagree whether the four rings mentioned in the first half of the verse are the same as the four (two plus two) rings mentioned in the second half of the verse. They also disagree about the placement of the various rings and regarding the meaning of the word "פַּעֲמֹתָיו".
Four Rings and No Legs
The Ark had only four rings attached to its corners, and it rested straight on the ground with no need for any legs.
Eight Rings and Four Legs
The Ark had four rings attached to its legs, and an additional two rings on each of two sides.
Eight Rings and No Legs
Contents of the Ark
In both Shemot 25:16 and 25:21, Hashem commands Moshe to put the "עֵדֻת" in the Ark. Commentators disagree as far as the identity of this "עֵדֻת" and the reason for the duplication of the command. A number of additional verses are important for this issue. Devarim 10:1-5 recount how Moshe placed the Tablets in an ark,8 Melakhim I 8:9 makes explicit that the Ark contained only the Tablets and nothing else, and Devarim 31:26 appears to indicates that Moshe's copy of the Torah was placed next to the Ark but not inside it. Nevertheless, exegetes debate where Moshe's Torah was housed and what was contained in the Ark.