Do the measurements of the Ark have any important significance?

Upvote:1

Numeric symbolism of various items is speculative, but here goes.

The dimension of the Ark of the Tabernacle is given as 2.5 by 1.5 by 1.5. The dimension of the lid of the Ark is given as 2.5 by 1.5 and no depth dimension (no thickness given).

So, what's it mean? Here is some of the symbolism.

The circumference of the Ark top (mercy lid) is 8 (2.5+2.5+1.5+1.5). 8 is symbolic of New (8th day for example).

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 2 Peter 2:5

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. John 20:26

Each end panel has a circumference of 6 (1.5+1.5+1.5+1.5). 6 is symbolic of man. Two of them give us 66, but clearly not 666.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Gen 1:31)

As to the Ark itself, it has a dimension of 44 (2.5+1.5+2.1+1.5=8 8*4=32 6 (end panel) *2=12 32+12=44). 44 symbolizes redemption.

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Rev 7:4

Moses made the Ark after the pattern. So, in short, the symbolism would be of God redeeming man with infinite love.

Upvote:4

The golden ratio is (1+\sqrt(5))/2 = 1.618... This ratio appears in all sorts of forms in nature. In the spiral of a sea shell. in the number of leaves or petals in one "round" of a plant. In the Fibonacci sequence (which models population growth). A rectangle whose ratio of length to width is the golden ratio is considered the the most pleasing-to-the-eye ratio. The golden ratio is even hidden in places like the ratio of a diagonal of a regular pentagon to one of its sides. So it's an important number. The way that pi is buried in everything round, the golden ration is buried in everything spiral.

And the ratio of the proportions of the ark is 2.5/1.5 = 1.666..., a very good approximation to the golden ratio. Note that the end of Noah's ark was 50 by 30 cubits, and 50/30 = 1.6.

God created nature and geometry. It's no surprise that he directed the same proportions in the Tabernacle.

Upvote:6

One feature of the dimensions of the ark is that it can contain a human body (in the foetal position as many were buried prior to mechanical digging).

The last words of the book of Genesis contain the word for 'ark' and it refers to a coffin (to carry Joseph's bones).

... and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:26 KJV

Thus the 'ark' should be viewed as a coffer (not as a 'seat' which is a bad translation).

The death of Christ is to be seen in regard to the law (which, subsequently, was placed inside the 'coffer').

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; [Romans 7:4 KJV]

aron 'ark' 195 ; 'chest' 6 ; 'coffin' 1 [Young's Analytical Concordance]

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