Exodus 37:2
And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
Original Language Analysis
זָהָ֖ב
gold
H2091
זָהָ֖ב
gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
2 of 10
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
טָה֖וֹר
it with pure
H2889
טָה֖וֹר
it with pure
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
3 of 10
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
מִבַּ֣יִת
within
H1004
מִבַּ֣יִת
within
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וּמִח֑וּץ
and without
H2351
וּמִח֑וּץ
and without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ
and made
H6213
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ
and made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
זֵ֥ר
a crown
H2213
זֵ֥ר
a crown
Strong's:
H2213
Word #:
8 of 10
a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e., (specifically) a border moulding
Historical Context
The ark measured approximately 3.75' × 2.25' × 2.25' (2.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 cubits), small enough to be carried on poles by four men but substantial enough to contain the stone tablets. Pure gold inside and out made it extraordinarily valuable—the most expensive tabernacle item.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the ark's construction (gold within and without overlaying wood) illustrate Christ's divine and human natures?
- What does the purity of the gold teach about the holiness required to contain and represent God's presence?
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Analysis & Commentary
The ark's construction—shittim wood overlaid with pure gold within and without (זָהָב טָהוֹר, zahav tahor)—pictures perfect union of humanity (wood) and divinity (gold), with gold both inside and outside. This speaks of Christ's perfect integration of divine and human natures—not merely divine overlaying human, but divine permeating human throughout. The purity of the gold (tahor) emphasizes Christ's sinlessness and the perfection required to contain God's holy presence.