Making the Ark
Exodus 37:1-9
Old Testament
New Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
Jude
Revelation
Exo.37.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בצלאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הארן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אמתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחצי: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,const
- ארכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחצי: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,const
- רחבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחצי: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,const
- קמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 25:10 (quotation): God's original command prescribing the ark's exact dimensions and construction (two cubits and a half by a cubit and a half); Exodus 37:1 records the making that fulfills this instruction.
- Exodus 35:30-35 (verbal): Describes how Bezalel was filled with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship to carry out work on the sanctuary—directly explains the artisan responsible for making the ark.
- Exodus 31:1-6 (thematic): God's appointment of Bezalel and the endowment of the Spirit for workmanship provides the theological basis for the construction of the ark and other tabernacle furnishings.
- Exodus 40:20 (structural): Narrative continuation where Moses sets the testimony into the completed ark and inserts its poles—shows the ark made in 37:1 being installed and put into use.
- Hebrews 9:4 (allusion): New Testament reference to the 'ark of the covenant' and its associated holy items/cherubim; later theological reflection that presupposes the same ark described as made in Exodus 37:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
- And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height.
Exo.37.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצפהו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg,obj
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומחוץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- זר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- Exod.25:10-11 (quotation): The original divine instructions for the ark: make it of acacia wood and overlay it with pure gold inside and out and make a gold molding — Exodus 37:2 repeats this specification.
- Exod.25:17-22 (structural): Complementary instructions about the mercy-seat and cherubim that sit on the ark’s gold-covered lid, linking the ark’s construction (37:2) to its cultic function and arrangement.
- 1 Kings 6:20 (thematic): Description of Solomon’s inner sanctuary overlaid with pure gold inside (and the presence of cherubim), echoing the motif of gold overlay for holy furnishings and sacred space.
- Hebrews 9:4 (allusion): New Testament reference to the ark ‘overlaid on all sides with gold’ and its contents (manna, Aaron’s rod, tablets), recalling the ark’s gold covering described in Exodus 37:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he overlaid it with pure gold, inside and out, and made for it a molding of gold all around.
- And he overlaid it with pure gold, inside and outside he overlaid it, and he made for it a molding of gold all around.
Exo.37.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- טבעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- פעמתיו: NOUN,f,pl,cs,3,m,sg
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- טבעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צלעו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- האחת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- טבעות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- צלעו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- השנית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 25:12-14 (quotation): God's earlier instructions for the ark: make four rings of gold on its four feet and put poles through the rings to carry the ark — the Sinai command repeated/fulfilled in the artisan's work.
- 1 Chronicles 15:15 (structural): Describes the Levites carrying the ark with poles on their shoulders, reflecting the practical function of the rings and carrying poles mentioned in Exodus 37:3.
- 2 Samuel 6:3-7 (thematic): Narrates an alternative (and improper) method of transporting the ark on a cart and the ensuing crisis (Uzzah's death), underscoring the importance of the ordained carrying method tied to the ark's rings and poles.
- Hebrews 9:4 (allusion): New Testament description of the ark as overlaid with gold and containing the covenant items — echoes the Exodus account's detail that the ark was covered with gold and fitted with carrying apparatus.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he cast for it four rings of gold on its four feet—two rings on one side and two rings on the other side.
- And he cast for it four rings of gold on its four feet, and two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side.
Exo.37.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויצף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 25:10-11 (verbal): Divine instruction to make the ark of acacia (shittim) wood and overlay it with pure gold — same material and gilding commanded.
- Exodus 25:13-15 (verbal): Specification that the carrying poles for the ark be of acacia wood and overlaid with gold — repeats the use of shittim wood plus gold overlay for cultic fittings.
- Exodus 37:1-5 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the construction account (Bezalel’s work) describing making the ark/furnishings of shittim wood and overlaying them with gold.
- 1 Kings 6:23-28 (thematic): Solomon’s temple contained large cherubim carved from wood and overlaid with gold — parallels the practice of carved wooden cultic forms finished with gold.
- 2 Chronicles 3:7-8 (thematic): Chronicles’ description of temple construction and inner fittings similarly notes wooden elements (cherubim) covered with gold — a comparable motif of gilded wooden sacred furniture.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
- And he made poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.
Exo.37.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בטבעת: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צלעת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- הארן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הארן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.25:12-15 (quotation): Earlier divine instruction detailing rings on the sides of the Ark and the insertion of poles for carrying — the blueprint which the craftsman follows here.
- Num.4:5-6 (verbal): Priestly transport regulations that repeat the requirement to cover sacred items and to insert poles through rings so the holy things may be carried without being touched.
- 1 Chron.15:13-15 (verbal): Account of David charging the priests to carry the Ark on their shoulders with poles as commanded, reflecting the same method of transport described in Exodus 37:5.
- 2 Sam.6:3-4 (thematic): Narrative about moving the Ark—here placed on a cart rather than carried with poles—serves as a contrast to the prescribed pole-bearing method and sets up the later corrective emphasis on proper transport.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark.
- And he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark.
Exo.37.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כפרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אמתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחצי: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,const
- ארכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וחצי: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,const
- רחבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.25:17 (quotation): Direct repetition of the divine instruction giving the exact same dimensions and materials for the mercy‑seat (kaporet) as made by Bezalel.
- Exod.25:18-20 (structural): Immediate literary context describing the cherubim to be fashioned upon the mercy‑seat; Exodus 37:6–9 records the actual making of these elements.
- Lev.16:14-15 (thematic): Describes the high priest sprinkling blood on the mercy‑seat on Yom Kippur, showing the kaporet's cultic function as the place of atonement and divine presence.
- Heb.9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to the mercy‑seat (and the overshadowing cherubim), treating the ark and cap as the sanctuary's central, theologically significant element.
- Rom.3:25 (verbal): Paul uses the Greek term hilastērion ('propitiation'), the LXX equivalent of kaporet, linking Christ's atoning work conceptually to the mercy‑seat.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made a cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its width.
- And he made a cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half its length and a cubit and a half its width.
Exo.37.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- כרבים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקשה: ADJ,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- משני: PREP+NUM,m,dual
- קצות: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- הכפרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 25:17-22 (quotation): God's instructions for the mercy seat and cherubim; Exodus 37:7 reports the craftsmen's fulfillment of this command (cherubim on the two ends of the cover).
- Exodus 37:6 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter describing the making and overlaying of the ark with gold just prior to the account of the cherubim.
- 1 Kings 6:23-28 (thematic): Solomon's inner sanctuary included two large cherubim overlaid with gold, echoing the ark's cherubim motif and placement in the holy place.
- 2 Chronicles 3:10-13 (thematic): Chronicles' parallel account of the temple cherubim (crafted and overlaid with gold), reflecting the same cultic imagery as Exodus.
- Hebrews 9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to the cherubim 'over the mercy seat,' explicitly drawing on the Exodus imagery of cherubim on the ark's cover.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made two cherubim of gold—hammered work—he made them from the two ends of the cover.
- And he made two cherubim of gold; of hammered work he made them, at the two ends of the cover.
Exo.37.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כרוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- מקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכרוב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- מקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הכפרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכרבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- משני: PREP+NUM,m,dual
- קצותיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 25:18–20 (quotation): Earlier divine instruction to make two cherubim on the atonement cover/mercy seat; Exod 37:8 repeats/fulfills this command in the craftsman's work.
- Exodus 40:20 (structural): Describes placement of the mercy seat on the ark in the completed tabernacle, showing the finished context for the cherubim made in Exod 37:8.
- Hebrews 9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to 'the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat,' directly alluding to the same feature crafted in Exod 37:8.
- 1 Kings 6:23–28 (thematic): Solomon's temple includes large cherubim flanking the holy place, echoing the function and symbolic placement of the ark's cherubim.
- Ezekiel 10:1–22 (thematic): Prophetic vision of cherubim accompanying God's glory and throne-movement; shares the motif of cherubim as divine attendants associated with God's presence (as on the mercy seat).
Alternative generated candidates
- One cherub at this end and one cherub at that end; of one piece with the cover he made the cherubim, at its two ends.
- One cherub at the one end and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the cover he made the cherubim, at its two ends.
Exo.37.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכרבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- פרשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- כנפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למעלה: ADV
- סככים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכנפיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הכפרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ופניהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אחיו: NOUN,3,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הכפרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הכרבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 25:18-20 (verbal): The original instruction for making two cherubim of gold with wings spread above the mercy seat and faces toward one another; Exodus 37:9 repeats/fulfills this specification.
- Exodus 37:6-8 (structural): Immediate construction context in the same chapter describing the making and positioning of the mercy seat and the cherubim—parallel narrative account to v.9.
- 1 Kings 6:23-28 (thematic): Solomon's temple contains two large cherubim with outstretched wings overshadowing the inner sanctuary, faces turned inward—temple parallel to the tabernacle cherubim motif.
- Hebrews 9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to the mercy seat and the cherubim of glory overshadowing it, treating the tabernacle's cherubim as theological background for Christological/ritual argument.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the cherubim were with wings spread above, overshadowing the cover with their wings; and their faces were each toward the other—toward the cover were the faces of the cherubim.
- And the cherubim had wings outspread above, overshadowing the cover with their wings, and their faces were toward one another; toward the cover were the faces of the cherubim.
And Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And he overlaid it with pure gold, inside and outside, and he made for it a molding of gold all around. And he cast for it four rings of gold on its four feet, and two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood, and he overlaid them with gold. And he put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark. And he made a cover of pure gold: two cubits and a half its length, and a cubit and a half its width. And he made two cherubim of gold; of hammered work he made them, from the two ends of the cover.
One cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; of one piece with the cover he made the cherubim, from its two ends. And the cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with their wings; and their faces were toward each other; toward the cover were the faces of the cherubim.