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H727 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אָרוֹן
Aron
Noun, masculine
Ark, chest, box

Definition

Aron (אָרוֹן) means a chest, box, or ark. It is used for three major items in Scripture: (1) the Ark of the Covenant — the gold-covered chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and manna, which represented God's throne on earth; (2) the coffin of Joseph (Genesis 50:26); and (3) the chest used to collect temple offerings (2 Kings 12:9).

Theological Significance

The Ark of the Covenant is Israel's most sacred object — the very footstool of Yahweh. Its construction (Exodus 25), its transport, and its placement in the Holy of Holies all speak to the holiness and unapproachable majesty of God. The atonement cover (kapporeth) on the Ark was where the blood was sprinkled on Yom Kippur — a direct type of Christ's atoning work as the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).

Key Scripture Passages

Exodus 25:10
"They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height."
Numbers 10:33
So they set out from the mount of the LORD three days' journey. And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them three days' journey.
Joshua 3:11
"Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan."
1 Samuel 4:11
The ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Psalm 132:8
"Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might."

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