Exodus 35:12 — Word Study
WLCאֶת־ הָאָרֹ֥ן וְאֶת־ בַּדָּ֖יו אֶת־ הַכַּפֹּ֑רֶת וְאֵ֖ת פָּרֹ֥כֶת הַמָּסָֽךְ׃
BSAthe arkʼârôwn [sacred chest, money chest] with its polesbad [staves, bars] and mercy seatkappôreth [golden lid, atonement cover] and the veilpôreketh [curtain, screen] to shield itmâçâk [cover, hide]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הָאָרֹ֥ן | the ark | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| בַּדָּ֖יו | poles its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַכַּפֹּ֑רֶת | the atonement cover | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְאֵ֖ת | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| פָּרֹ֥כֶת | [the] curtain of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| הַמָּסָֽךְ׃ | the screen | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the ark with its poles and mercy seat, and the veil to shield it; |
| KJV | The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering, |
| ASV | the ark, and the staves thereof, the mercy-seat, and the veil of the screen; |
| YLT | 'The ark and its staves, the mercy-seat, and the vail of the covering, |
| WEB | the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; |
| BBE | The ark with its cover and its rods and the veil hanging before it; |
Translations agree on the main elements of the verse, particularly regarding the Ark and its components.
The sentence is organized around the main noun phrase, with additional phrases providing details about the components of the Ark.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 35:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Construction of the Tabernaclegenerated
Exodus 35:12 describes the detailed components of the Ark of the Covenant, which was a central element in the worship of the Israelites. This verse is part of a larger section that provides instructions for building the tabernacle and its sacred items, emphasizing their importance in the relationship between God and His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 25:10–22 | And they are to construct an ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. |
| 2 | Exodus 37:1–9 | Bezalel went on to construct the ark of acacia wood, two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. |
| 3 | Exodus 26:7–31 | You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven curtains in all. |
| 4 | Exodus 36:35–36 | Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲרוֹן, ha.'a.Rongenerated
The Hebrew word אֲרוֹן (arown) means 'ark' or 'chest.' It refers specifically to the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of the Law. The term can also denote a money chest or a coffin, but in this context, it signifies the sacred chest used in worship.
This word is derived from a root meaning 'gathering,' indicating its function as a container for important items. The parsing shows it as a noun in the singular form, highlighting its specific reference to the Ark.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is presented in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the ark to translate אֲרוֹן.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse revolves around the main noun phrase, אֲרוֹן, the ark, which is the subject of the sentence. Several noun phrases follow, detailing the components associated with the ark, such as its poles and the mercy seat.
This construction emphasizes the importance of each item, listing them in a straightforward manner that reflects their significance in the context of the tabernacle.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֲרוֹן as κιβωτὸν (kibōton), meaning 'box' or 'chest.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may suggest a more general container rather than the sacred connotation of the Ark.
This translation indicates a broader understanding of the term, as the Greek word can apply to various types of containers, not limited to the sacred context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 35:12 lists the important items related to the Ark of the Covenant, including its poles and the mercy seat, as well as the curtain that covers it. These items were essential for the worship practices of the Israelites.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The Ark of the Covenant represented God's presence among His people and contained the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the covenant between God and Israel.
The mercy seat was where the High Priest would perform rituals of atonement, symbolizing reconciliation between God and His people.
The veil separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the tabernacle, indicating the holiness of God's presence.
These items were central to the rituals and practices of worship in ancient Israel, emphasizing the need for reverence and the significance of God's presence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What do you think the Ark of the Covenant represents in your life today?
- How can understanding the significance of the mercy seat deepen your appreciation for God's forgiveness?
- In what ways can the concept of separation, as represented by the veil, apply to your relationship with God?
- How does the idea of sacred items enhance your understanding of worship?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 35:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe ark and the staves thereof,.... To carry it with, which were all made of shittim wood: [with] the mercy seat; made of pure gold; these were set in the most holy place: and the vail of the
Read John Gill on Exodus 35 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 35 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Which was hanged before the ark and mercy-seat.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 35 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10-19) And every wise hearted among you.—The first appeal is to all; all may contribute something towards the materials of the sacred structure. But the second appeal is to some only. The “wise-hearted” alone can take part in the actual construction, and “make all that the Lord hath commanded.” On the expression “wise – hearted,” see Note on Exodus 28:3. It includes skill of various kinds and degrees, even that of poor women, who “did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen” (Exodus 35:25). In enumerating the things to be constructed, Moses follows, not the order of the revelations made to him, but what may…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 35 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. the veil of the screen] i.e. the veil which acts as a screen (cf. Exodus 40:3; Exodus 40:21), viz. in front of the Holy of holies. So Exodus 39:34; Exodus 40:21. Elsewhere ‘the veil’ alone.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 35 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe covering - This is not the same as the covering of Exo 35:11, which denotes the covering of the tent (see Exodus 26:14): the word is used here for the entrance curtains (see Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16).
Read Albert Barnes on Exodus 35 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible11-19. The tabernacle, etc. — These different parts of the sanctuary and the sacred vessels are illustrated in notes on chaps. 25-28.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 35 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the ark with its poles and mercy seat, and the veil to shield it;
the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen;
the ark with its poles and mercy seat, and the veil to shield it;
the ark, with its poles, the atonement lid, and the special curtain that conceals it;
Tyndale line
The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,
the ark, and the staves thereof, the mercy-seat, and the veil of the screen;
the ark, and the staves thereof, the mercy-seat, and the veil of the screen;
The ark, and its staffs, with the mercy-seat, and the vail of the covering,
The Arke, and the barres thereof ye Merci-seate, and the vaile that couereth it,
Strictly literal
the ark, and its staves; the mercy-seat, and the veil of separation;
'The ark and its staves, the mercy-seat, and the vail of the covering,
the Ark and its poles, the propitiatory covering, and the veil of the covering,
The ark, and its staves, [with] the mercy-seat, and the vail of the separation;
also the ark with its poles, the atonement lid, and the curtain to conceal it.
From the Latin
The ark and the staves, the propitiatory, and the veil that is drawn before it:
Simplified
the Ark with its poles and atonement cover, and the veil to hang over it;
The ark with its cover and its rods and the veil hanging before it;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree on most words in this verse, with the only difference being the spelling of אֲרוֹן as ארון in the Samaritan text. The Septuagint matches 6 of the 9 words but presents them in a different order.
אֶת־ הָאָרֹ֥ן וְאֶת־ בַּדָּ֖יו אֶת־ הַכַּפֹּ֑רֶת וְאֵ֖ת פָּרֹ֥כֶת הַמָּסָֽךְ׃
6 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
את הארון ואת בדיו ואת הכפרת ואת פרכת המסך
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: ארון (ark)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 35:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word אֲרוֹן, transliterated as arown, means 'chest' or 'ark.' It can refer to various types of containers, including a money chest, the Ark of the Covenant, and even a coffin. The word is built from the root meaning 'gathering' and is used in contexts related to sacred and practical storage.
אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן 203 n.m. chest, ark
chest, for money-offerings
sarcophagus, mummy-case
chest, ark in tabernacle & temple
base
H727 אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן chest, ark
727 'arown aw-rone'
or laron {aw-rone'}; from 717 (in the sense of gathering); a
box:--ark, chest, coffin.
see HEBREW for 0717
אֲרוֹן (a.ron) — ark.
1) chest, ark
1a) money chest
1b) Ark of the Covenant
2)(TWOT) coffin
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
see ARK OF BULRUSHES; ARK OF THE COVENANT; ARK OF NOAH
Ark
Noah’s ark, a building of gopher-wood, and covered with pitch, 300 cubits long, 50 cubits broad, and 30 cubits high (Gen. 6:14-16); an oblong floating house of three stories, with a door in the side and a window in the roof. It was 100 years in building (Gen. 5:32; 7:6). It was intended to preserve certain persons and animals from the deluge which God was about to bring over the earth. It contained eight persons (Gen. 7:13; 2 Pet. 2:5), and of all “clean” animals seven pairs, and of “unclean” one pair, and of birds seven pairs of each sort (Gen. 7:2, 3). It was in the form of an oblong square, with flat bottom and…
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
בַּד (bad) refers to separation or being alone, often indicating a part or branch of something. It can denote physical separation, such as limbs or bars, as well as figurative uses like 'chief of a city.' The entries consistently highlight meanings related to being apart or alone, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
בַּד, בָּ֑ד n.m. separation, concr. part
prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
concr. part
parts, specif. extended from something
base
H905 בַּד, בָּ֑ד separation, concr. part . prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
. concr. part
. parts, specif. extended from something
905 bad bad
from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the
body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief
of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an
adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides,
branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff,
strength.
see HEBREW for 0909
בַּד (bad) — alone: pole.
: pole
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone.
: alone
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: each.
: each
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: besides.
: besides/apart from
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporeth) refers to the 'mercy seat,' a term used specifically for the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. It is described as a place of atonement where the High Priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing reconciliation between God and His people. The term is derived from a root meaning 'to cover,' but some lexicons dispute the appropriateness of this derivation.
כַּפֹּרֶת n. propitiatory, late techn. word cover over sin: the older explan. cover, lid has no justification in usage
base
H3727 כַּפֹּרֶת propitiatory, late techn. word cover over sin: the older explan. cover, lid has no justification in usage
3727 kapporeth kap-po'-reth
from 3722; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred
Ark):--mercy seat.
see HEBREW for 03722
כַּפֹּרֶת (kap.po.ret) — mercy seat.
1) mercy-seat, place of atonement
1a) the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people
1a1) the slab of gold on top of the ark of the covenant which measured 2.5 by 1.5 cubits; on it and part of it were the two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together above and constituted the throne of God
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
פָּרֹ֫כֶת (poreketh) refers to a curtain or veil, specifically one that separates the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. It is derived from a root meaning to shut off. The entries consistently emphasize its function as a screen or separatrix.
פָּרֹ֫כֶת 25 n.f. curtain, before Most Holy Place, in tabern. (P) (prop. that which habitually shuts off)
base
H6532 פָּרֹ֫כֶת curtain, before Most Holy Place, in tabern. (P) (prop. that which habitually shuts off)
6532 poreketh po-reh'-keth
feminine active participle of the same as 6531; a separatrix,
i.e. (the sacred) screen:--vail.
see HEBREW for 06531
פָּרֹ֫כֶת (po.re.khet) — curtain.
curtain, veil
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מָסָךְ (masakh) refers to a covering or screen, often associated with the tabernacle. It is derived from the root meaning to cover, and encompasses terms like curtain and hanging. The entries consistently highlight its function as a veil or protective layer.
מָסָךְ n.[m.] covering, screen
base
H4539 מָסָךְ covering, screen
4539 macak maw-sawk'
from 5526; a cover, i.e. veil:--covering, curtain, hanging.
see HEBREW for 05526
מָסָךְ (ma.sakh) — covering.
1) covering, rag, screen
1a) covering
1b) screen (of the tabernacle)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa