DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4669#0361
THE ARK OF THE GOD 327
god to whom the temple was dedicated. Where
a triad was worshipped the arks of the three separate
divinities were kept within the sanctuary, or holy of
holies.
The ark contained an image or representation of
the god. Moses warned the Israelites of the danger
of making any representation of the deity. lie
especially calls that solemn event to their memory
when the\' became dedicated to the service of
Jehovah, and he reminds them, " Ye heard the voice
of the words, hut saw no similitude! only a voice"
(Deut. iv. 12, 15, 16). What a sublime contrast to
the endless varieties of similitudes in Egypt !
The Sun-god Ra is represented sailing oxer heaven
in the Bari or sacred boat ; in consequence the shrines
of all the divinities, the sacred arks, are placed in
carriages of the same boat-like appearance. When
they were carried in processions staves of wood were
placed on each side, and they were borne on the
shoulders of the priests; a thick veil or curtain was
thrown over, which concealed all from the public
eye ; just as the Ark of Jehovah, the Altar of
Incense, the Table of Shevvbread, and the Candle-
stick, were covered by the priests and Levites on
the march. The arks do not appear to have been
decorated. Upon some the figure or figures of the
goddess Mat or Thmei are seen. These figures
suggest from their attitude the idea of the cherubim
wrought upon the top of the ark of the covenant.
They are represented sitting with their wings ex-
tended towards each other ; the end of one wing
reaching to tin- end of the opposite one. The most
acceptable offering that could be made to the gods
was an image of this goddess, which implied the
god to whom the temple was dedicated. Where
a triad was worshipped the arks of the three separate
divinities were kept within the sanctuary, or holy of
holies.
The ark contained an image or representation of
the god. Moses warned the Israelites of the danger
of making any representation of the deity. lie
especially calls that solemn event to their memory
when the\' became dedicated to the service of
Jehovah, and he reminds them, " Ye heard the voice
of the words, hut saw no similitude! only a voice"
(Deut. iv. 12, 15, 16). What a sublime contrast to
the endless varieties of similitudes in Egypt !
The Sun-god Ra is represented sailing oxer heaven
in the Bari or sacred boat ; in consequence the shrines
of all the divinities, the sacred arks, are placed in
carriages of the same boat-like appearance. When
they were carried in processions staves of wood were
placed on each side, and they were borne on the
shoulders of the priests; a thick veil or curtain was
thrown over, which concealed all from the public
eye ; just as the Ark of Jehovah, the Altar of
Incense, the Table of Shevvbread, and the Candle-
stick, were covered by the priests and Levites on
the march. The arks do not appear to have been
decorated. Upon some the figure or figures of the
goddess Mat or Thmei are seen. These figures
suggest from their attitude the idea of the cherubim
wrought upon the top of the ark of the covenant.
They are represented sitting with their wings ex-
tended towards each other ; the end of one wing
reaching to tin- end of the opposite one. The most
acceptable offering that could be made to the gods
was an image of this goddess, which implied the