Hebrews 9:4
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;
Original Language Analysis
ἔχουσα
Which had
G2192
ἔχουσα
Which had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
2 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
θυμιατήριον
censer
G2369
θυμιατήριον
censer
Strong's:
G2369
Word #:
3 of 29
a place of fumigation, i.e., the alter of incense (in the temple)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκης
of the covenant
G1242
διαθήκης
of the covenant
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
περικεκαλυμμένην
overlaid
G4028
περικεκαλυμμένην
overlaid
Strong's:
G4028
Word #:
9 of 29
to cover all around, i.e., entirely (the face, a surface)
χρυσίῳ
with gold
G5553
χρυσίῳ
with gold
Strong's:
G5553
Word #:
11 of 29
a golden article, i.e., gold plating, ornament, or coin
ᾗ
G3739
ᾗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχουσα
Which had
G2192
ἔχουσα
Which had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
16 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥάβδος
rod
G4464
ῥάβδος
rod
Strong's:
G4464
Word #:
21 of 29
a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλάκες
the tables
G4109
πλάκες
the tables
Strong's:
G4109
Word #:
27 of 29
a moulding-board, i.e., flat surface ("plate", or tablet, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Numbers 17:10And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.Exodus 40:3And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.Exodus 26:33And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.Leviticus 16:12And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:2 Chronicles 5:10There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.Numbers 17:5And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.Exodus 34:29And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.Revelation 8:3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.1 Kings 8:21And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.1 Kings 7:50And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.
Historical Context
Some details differ from Exodus (the altar of incense was outside the veil in Exodus 30:6, though smoke entered within on the Day of Atonement). The author focuses on the theological significance rather than precise architectural detail.
Questions for Reflection
- How does each item in the ark point to some aspect of Christ's person or work?
- What does the ark's contents reveal about the relationship between God's provision, His law, and His chosen mediators?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The second veil separated the Most Holy Place, containing the golden censer (or altar of incense), and the ark of the covenant overlaid with gold. Inside the ark were the golden pot with manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Each item signified covenant history - manna (God's provision), rod (God's chosen priesthood), tablets (God's law). All these find fulfillment in Christ.