Lexical Summary
aron: Ark, chest, coffin
Original Word:אָרוֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:arown
Pronunciation:ah-ROHN
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-rone')
KJV: ark, chest, coffin
NASB:ark, chest, coffin
Word Origin:[fromH717 (אָרָה - gathered) (in the sense of gathering)]
1. a box
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ark, chest, coffin
Or laron {aw-rone'}; from'arah (in the sense of gathering); a box -- ark, chest, coffin.
see HEBREW'arah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation
Definitiona chest, ark
NASB Translationark (194), chest (6), coffin (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, with article ,
203Exodus 35:12 (1Samuel 4:17; 2 Chronicles 8:11) (Phoenician ,sarcophagus, Assyrianêrênu (& êrû) chest ZimBP 6, 22, Arabic
,chest, so Aramaic
, also Nabataean , Vogp. 102, Phoenician; Mishna also plural ) — only singular; absolute2 Kings 12:10 2Chronicles 24:8; with articleDeuteronomy 10:2 #NAME? Exodus Leviticus Numbers where (Exodus 25:14 (twice in verse) + 13 t. Exodus;Leviticus 16:2;Numbers 3:31;Numbers 10:35); construct Exodus 25:10 +,Exodus 30:6;Numbers 4:5;Numbers 7:89 —
chest, for money-offerings2 Kings 12:10;2 Kings 12:11; 2Chronicles 24:8,10,11 (twice in verse).
sarcophagus, mummy-case of JosephGenesis 50:26 (E).
chest, ark in tabernacle & temple, containing tables of law, with cherubim above, the especially seat of among his people, only Hexateuch (71 t.) Samuel (61 t.) Kings (12 t.) & Chronicles (48 t.) +Judges 20:27;Jeremiah 3:16;Psalm 132:8; used alone & in various combinations (compare SeyringZAW 1891, 114 f.).
indefinitean ark of shittim-woodExodus 25:10;Deuteronomy 10:3 compareDeuteronomy 10:1.
def.Exodus 25:14 54t. (Hexateuch P, except Joshua J E; Samuel Kings Chronicles).
Joshua 4:11 32t. Joshua (J E D) Samuel Kings Chronicles.
1 Samuel 3:3;1 Samuel 4:11; 1Samuel 4:13 32t. Samuel, Chronicles (but1 Samuel 14:18 (twice in verse) read We Dr), compare1 Chronicles 13:3.
1 Samuel 5:7 6t. Samuel, term used only by Philistines;1 Chronicles 15:12,14;Joshua 4:5 (JE);1 Kings 2:26;Joshua 3:13 (J E D) compare []Joshua 3:11, where (with article) is probably interpolated, see Di; only once & late the long phrase1 Chronicles 13:6.
, largely D & under D's influence;ark of the covenantJoshua 3:6 (twice in verse);Joshua 3:8;Joshua 4:9;Joshua 6:6 (all J E D);Numbers 10:33;Numbers 14:44 (both J)Deuteronomy 10:8;Deuteronomy 31:9,25;Joshua 4:7,18;Joshua 6:8;Joshua 8:33;Jeremiah 3:16 17t. Samuel Kings Chronicles; once longer1 Samuel 4:4; alsoJudges 20:27;1 Samuel 4:4;2 Samuel 15:24;1 Chronicles 16:6; &Deuteronomy 31:26;Joshua 3:3.
ark of the testimony, only in P, corresponding to (compare Di onExodus 25:16),Exodus 25:22 8t. Exodus;Numbers 4:5;Numbers 7:84;Joshua 4:16.
2Chronicles 35:3.
the ark of thy strength2Chronicles 6:41;Psalm 132:8. — (compare also tables given by Seyringl.c. & his theory as to earliest designation of ark.)
see .
see .
Topical Lexicon
General Scope and Usageאָרוֹן occurs about two hundred times in the Old Testament. In the vast majority of verses it denotes the sacred “ark” associated with the covenant at Sinai; a handful refer to chests for money or bones, and once to Joseph’s coffin. Across these settings the item is never merely furniture; it is a theologically charged sign of covenant, presence, holiness, judgment, and grace.
The Ark of the Covenant
Exodus 25:10-22 records the divine blueprint: acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, one and a half wide, one and a half high, overlaid with pure gold inside and out, fitted with gold molding, rings, and poles. Upon it rested a solid-gold kapporet (“mercy seat”) flanked by cherubim. The Lord promised, “There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat … I will speak with you” (Exodus 25:22). Thus the ark served simultaneously as throne, footstool, and meeting place.
Contents
1. The stone tablets of the Testimony (Exodus 40:20).
2. A golden jar of manna (Exodus 16:33; recalled inHebrews 9:4).
3. Aaron’s rod that budded (Numbers 17:10).
Together these items proclaimed covenant obligation, divine provision, and priestly authority—all ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Custody and Transport
Only the Kohathites could carry the ark, and only after Aaron and his sons had wrapped it in “the veil of the screen” (Numbers 4:5-15). The poles were never removed (Exodus 25:15). Any unauthorized touch brought death, as tragically illustrated by Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
Historical Journey
• Sinai to the plains of Moab: the ark led the marches and halted when the camp rested (Numbers 10:33-36).
• The Jordan crossing: “When the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the water … the waters … stood in a heap” (Joshua 3:15-16).
• Jericho: the ark encircled the city for seven days until its walls fell (Joshua 6).
• Shiloh: center of worship during the judges (1 Samuel 3:3).
• Capture and return: taken to Philistia (1 Samuel 4) where Dagon fell and plagues broke out; returned on a new cart to Beth-shemesh, then housed at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Samuel 6-7).
• Davidic transfer: after Uzzah’s death the king learned the prescribed method, clothed Levites, and “danced before the LORD with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14).
• Solomon’s Temple: permanently placed beneath massive cherubim; “the priests could not stand to minister … for the glory of the LORD filled the house” (1 Kings 8:11).
• Josiah’s reform: “Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon … built” (2 Chronicles 35:3). Nothing further is recorded; Scripture is silent about its fate during or after the exile.
Liturgical Role
On the Day of Atonement the high priest sprinkled blood on and before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16), portraying propitiation. In battlefield oracles the ark signified victory when carried in faith (Numbers 10:35-36;1 Samuel 14:18-19). When treated as a mere talisman, it brought judgment (1 Samuel 4).
Theological Themes
Presence: a tangible sign that the Creator dwelt among His redeemed people.
Holiness: severe penalties guarded its sanctity, underscoring that God is not to be approached casually.
Covenant: the tablets inside affirmed the mutually binding relationship; the blood above answered the covenant breaches below.
Guidance: the ark both led the march and authenticated prophetic word.
Atonement: the mercy seat foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, “whom God presented as an atoning sacrifice” (Romans 3:25).
Judgment and Blessing
The same ark that toppled Jericho’s walls struck seventy men of Beth-shemesh (1 Samuel 6:19) yet blessed the household of Obed-Edom for three months (2 Samuel 6:11). Its presence brought victory to Israel under Joshua but terror to Philistia under every city that hosted it. The lesson is consistent: reverent obedience yields blessing; presumption courts disaster.
Other Uses of אָרוֹן
Joseph’s Coffin – “So Joseph died … and they placed him in a coffin in Egypt” (Genesis 50:26). This single occurrence shows the root sense of a box but is suffused with covenant hope; Joseph’s bones awaited Exodus fulfillment (Exodus 13:19;Joshua 24:32).
Temple Offering Chests – King Joash commanded, “Take a chest and bore a hole in its lid and set it beside the altar” (2 Kings 12:9). Under Jehoiada the chest secured free-will offerings for temple repair (2 Chronicles 24:8-11). In these passages the aron facilitates covenant faithfulness through stewardship.
Miscellaneous Chests – Once the word describes the coffer holding guilt offerings sent with the ark from Philistia (1 Samuel 6:8, 11, 15).
Typology and Christological Fulfillment
Early Christian preaching discerned in the ark a pattern of the Incarnation: incorruptible wood (humanity) overlaid with gold (deity). The mercy seat anticipates the cross where justice and mercy meet. The contents—law kept, bread provided, priestly rod vindicated—are embodied in Jesus Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3).
Ministerial Implications
Pastors and teachers draw on the ark to call the church to holiness, obedience, and reverent worship. Its history warns against ritualism devoid of faith, yet encourages confidence that God dwells with His people and guides them through impossible “Jordan rivers.” The ark’s final silence in Scripture urges believers to look beyond earthly symbols to the true sanctuary “not made by human hands” (Hebrews 9:24).
Summary
אָרוֹן weaves through Israel’s narrative as container of covenant, throne of grace, and catalyst of both blessing and judgment. Whether cradling Joseph’s bones, collecting temple offerings, or bearing the very glory of the LORD, every occurrence advances the single storyline of redemption culminating in Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲר֖וֹן אֲר֣וֹן אֲר֤וֹן אֲר֥וֹן אֲר֧וֹן אֲר֨וֹן אֲרֹ֣ן אֲרֹ֥ן אֲרֽוֹן־ אֲרוֹן֙ אֲרוֹן־ ארון ארון־ ארן בַּאֲר֣וֹן בָּֽאָר֑וֹן בָּֽאָר֔וֹן בָּאָר֖וֹן בָּאָרֽוֹן׃ בארון בארון׃ הָ֠אָרוֹן הָ֣אָר֔וֹן הָ֣אָרֹ֔ן הָֽאָר֑וֹן הָֽאָר֔וֹן הָֽאָר֜וֹן הָֽאָרֹן֙ הָֽאָרוֹן֙ הָאָר֑וֹן הָאָר֔וֹן הָאָר֗וֹן הָאָר֛וֹן הָאָר֥וֹן הָאָר֨וֹן הָאָרֹ֑ן הָאָרֹ֔ן הָאָרֹ֖ן הָאָרֹ֤ן הָאָרֹ֥ן הָאָרֹֽן׃ הָאָרֹן֙ הָאָרֹן֮ הָאָרֽוֹן׃ הָאָרוֹן֙ הארון הארון׃ הארן הארן׃ וַֽאֲרוֹן֙ וַאֲר֣וֹן וַאֲר֤וֹן וַאֲר֥וֹן וַאֲר֨וֹן וארון לַֽאֲר֣וֹן לַֽאֲרוֹן֙ לַאֲר֣וֹן לָֽאָר֔וֹן לָאָר֖וֹן לָאָר֡וֹן לָאָרֽוֹן׃ לארון לארון׃ ’ă·rō·wn ’ă·rō·wn- ’ă·rōn ’ărōn ’ărōwn ’ărōwn- aRon ba’ărōwn bā’ārōwn ba·’ă·rō·wn bā·’ā·rō·wn baaRon hā’ārōn hā’ārōwn hā·’ā·rō·wn hā·’ā·rōn haaRon la’ărōwn lā’ārōwn la·’ă·rō·wn lā·’ā·rō·wn laaRon vaaRon wa’ărōwn wa·’ă·rō·wn
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