Hebrews 9:4 (WEB)
having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Hebrews 9:4 (KJV)
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Key words
- κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκηςkibōtos tēs diathēkēs · Greek
- 'the ark of the covenant' — the same phrase as 'the ark of his testament' in Revelation 11:19.
- στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάνναstamnos chrysē echousa to manna · Greek
- 'the golden pot that had manna' — the bread from heaven.
- ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασαhē rhabdos Aarōn hē blastēsasa · Greek
- 'Aaron's rod that budded' — the sign of the priesthood.
- αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκηςhai plakes tēs diathēkēs · Greek
- 'the tables of the covenant' — the word of God on stone.
Why it matters
Hebrews lists the three treasures kept in the ark: the manna, Aaron's rod and the tablets of the law — bread, priesthood and word. Pitre shows that Mary carried the reality of all three in one person: Jesus the Word made flesh, the Bread of Life, and the great High Priest. If the gold-covered ark had to be holy because of what it held, so must the woman who held Christ.