ark of the covenant

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is sometimes translated as “ark of the covenant” in English (other English options: “pact chest” [translation by John Goldingay, 2018] or “Coffer of the Covenant” [translation by Everett Fox, 1995]) is translated in various ways:

  • Mairasi: Anasi Farjora or “Covenant Place” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Uma: “Promise Box” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Covenant Chest” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Chest of the Agreement” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Chest of the Initiated-agreement” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “law box” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “Covenant Place” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Danish Bibelen 2020: kisten med den hellige aftale or “chest with the holy agreement” (source: Ehrensvärd in HIPHIL Novum 8/2023, p. 81ff. )

Following is reverse applique stitching (“mola”) by an unknown Guna artist depicting the ark:

Source: Sacred Art Pilgrim website .

Following is an artwork by Sister Marie Claire , SMMI (1937–2018) from Bengaluru, India:

For more information about images by Sister Marie Claire and ways to purchase them as lithographs, see here . For other images of Sister Marie Claire paintings in TIPs, see here.

In American Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines “box” and the wings of the cherubim on top of the ark (see Exod 25:18 and following). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Ark of the covenant” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

See also covenant (tablets), cherub and tabernacle (noun).

fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Exodus 30:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 30:26:

  • Kupsabiny: “Anoint/pour that oil on my Tent, the Covenant Box,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then with this oil anoint the Tent of Meeting, ark of Testimony,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] rub- this oil -upon the Meeting-Together-Place Tent, the Box of the Law, the table and all the things-for-use of-it, the place-to-put the light and all the things-for-use of-it, and the altar used-for-burning the incense, the altar used-for-burning the burnt offering and also all the things-for-use (of it), and the basin and its thing-that- (it is) -place-upon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And when it’s done, then take a little of this oil and then pour it onto my shelter, and the law box,” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “and Dwelling-Tent-of-God, and sacred box, and table with its things, and lampstand with its things, and altar of incense, and altar great with its things, and water jar with its foot, you shall apply it with it.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “Use this oil for anointing the Sacred Tent, the sacred chest,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 30:26 - 30:28

And you shall anoint with it, using the singular you, means “Use it to anoint” (Good News Translation), or even “You shall use this oil to smear.” The tent of meeting (ʾohel moʿed) really refers to the tabernacle. (See the comment at 27.21.) And the ark of the testimony is the same as the “ark of the covenant” (New Revised Standard Version) and the “Covenant Box.” (See the comment at 25.22.)

And the table and all its utensils refers to “the table and all its equipment” (Good News Translation) described in 25.23-30. The word for utensils is a general term referring to any useful object, but here it refers to the “articles” (New International Version) mentioned in 25.29. And the lampstand and its utensils refers to the menorah described in 25.31-40. Note that the word all is not used for the utensils of the lampstand. The same word for utensils describes the “equipment” (Good News Translation) mentioned in 25.37-38. And the altar of incense refers to the smaller altar described in verses 1-5.

And the altar of burnt offering is the larger altar that is described in 27.1-8. With all its utensils refers to the “equipment” (Good News Translation) mentioned in 27.3. And the laver and its base refers to “the washbasin with its base” (Good News Translation) mentioned in verse 17.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .