Lexical Summary aron: Ark, chest, coffin Original Word: אָרוֹן 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 Definition a chest, ark NASB Translation ark (194), chest (6), coffin (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲרוֺן, with article הָאָרוֺן, הָאָרֹן203 noun masculineExodus 35:12 (feminine1Samuel 4:17; 2 Chronicles 8:11) chest, ark (Phoenician ארן, sarcophagus, Assyrian êrênu (& êrû) chest ZimBP 6, 22, Arabic 1 chest, for money-offerings 2 Kings 12:10; 2 Kings 12:11; 2Chronicles 24:8,10,11 (twice in verse). 2 sarcophagus, mummy-case of Joseph Genesis 50:26 (E). 3 chest, ark in tabernacle & temple, containing tables of law, with cherubim above, the especially seat of ׳י 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.). a. indefinite אֲרוֺן עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים an ark of shittim-wood Exodus 25:10; Deuteronomy 10:3 compare Deuteronomy 10:1. b. def. ׳הָא Exodus 25:14 54t. (Hexateuch P, except Joshua J E; Samuel Kings Chronicles). c. יהוה ׳א Joshua 4:11 32t. Joshua (J E D) Samuel Kings Chronicles. d. ׳א אֱלֹהִים 1 Samuel 3:3; 1 Samuel 4:11; הָאֱלֹהִים ׳א1Samuel 4:13 32t. Samuel, Chronicles (but 1 Samuel 14:18 (twice in verse) read הָאֵפוֺד ᵐ5 We Dr), compare אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א 1 Chronicles 13:3. e. אלהי יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳א 1 Samuel 5:7 6t. Samuel, term used only by Philistines; יהוה אלהי יִשְׂרָאֵל ׳א 1 Chronicles 15:12,14; יהוה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳א Joshua 4:5 (JE); ׳א אֲדֹנָי יהוה 1 Kings 2:26; יחוה אֲדוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ ׳א Joshua 3:13 (J E D) compare אדון כלהֿארץ [הברית] ׳א Joshua 3:11, where הברית (with article) is probably interpolated, see Di; only once & late the long phrase האלהים יהוה יוֺשֵׁב ׳א הַכְּרוּבִים אֲשֶׁר נִקְרָאשֵֿׁם 1 Chronicles 13:6. f. in combination with בְּרִית, largely D & under D's influence; ארון הַבְּרִית ark of the covenant Joshua 3:6 (twice in verse); Joshua 3:8; Joshua 4:9; Joshua 6:6 (all J E D); בְּרִית יהוה ׳א 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 longer צְבָאוֺת ישֵׁב הַכְּרֻבִים ׳בְּרִית י ׳א 1 Samuel 4:4; also בְּרִית הָאֱלֹהִים ׳א Judges 20:27; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:6; & אלהיכם ׳בְּרִית א ׳א Deuteronomy 31:26; Joshua 3:3. g. אֲרוֺן הָעֵדוּת ark of the testimony, only in P, corresponding to בְּרִית ׳א (compare Di on Exodus 25:16), Exodus 25:22 8t. Exodus; Numbers 4:5; Numbers 7:84; Joshua 4:16. h. הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳א2Chronicles 35:3. i. עֻזֶּךָ֑ ׳א 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.) אַרְנֶ֫בֶת see אנב. ארניה see אֲרַוְנָה. Topical Lexicon General Scope and Usage אָרוֹן 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). 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). 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·wnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 50:26 HEB: אֹת֔וֹ וַיִּ֥ישֶׂם בָּאָר֖וֹן בְּמִצְרָֽיִם׃ NAS: and placed in a coffin in Egypt. KJV: him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. INT: was embalmed was put A coffin Egypt Exodus 25:10 Exodus 25:14 Exodus 25:14 Exodus 25:15 Exodus 25:16 Exodus 25:21 Exodus 25:21 Exodus 25:22 Exodus 26:33 Exodus 26:34 Exodus 30:6 Exodus 30:26 Exodus 31:7 Exodus 35:12 Exodus 37:1 Exodus 37:5 Exodus 37:5 Exodus 39:35 Exodus 40:3 Exodus 40:3 Exodus 40:5 Exodus 40:20 Exodus 40:20 Exodus 40:20 202 Occurrences |
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, chest, so Aramaic 
, also Nabataean ארנא, Vogp. 102, Phoenician; Mishna also plural ארונות) — only singular; absolute אֲרוֺן