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)
  • 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 .

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 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)

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 .