two hand-breadths, that it should not be pressed
going in and out, and half a hand-breadth on either side for the thickness
of the ark." R. Judah said, "with a cubit containing five hand-breadths,
thus there were twelve hand-breadths and a half, and four tables lay in
it--two perfect, and two broken. And the length of each table was six
hand-breadths, and their breadth six, and their thickness three. Take from
them twelve hand-breadths for the breadth of the tables, and a
finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark." And the
breadth of the ark was seven hand-breadths and a half. Take from them six
hand-breadths for the length of the tables, and one hand-breadth for the
place where the handles (pillars) lay; and on it the explanation of the
prophets is, "King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
He made the pillars thereof of silver."(636) And (there was) a
finger-breadth on either side for the thickness of the ark, but the roll
of the Law was put on the side, as is said, "And put it in the side of the
ark of the covenant of the LORD."(637) And so with the Philistines, he
said, "And put the jewels of gold, which ye return for a
trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof."(638) R. Judah, the
son of Lachish, said, "there were two arks, one which abode in the
encampment, and one which went forth with them to war, and in it were the
broken tables," as is said, "And the ark of the covenant of the Lord
went."(639) But the one with them in the encampment contained the roll of
the Law. That is what is written, "Nevertheless the ark of the covenant of
the Lord; and Moses departed not out of the camp."(640) And so he said
with regard to Saul, "And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of
God."(641) And so of Uriah it is said, "The ark, and Israel, and Judah
abide in tents."(642) But the ark of the covenant went not forth to war,
save once only, as is said, "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might
bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts."(643) R.
Judah said, "there was nothing in the ark save the tables of the covenant
only," as is said, "There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of
stone."(644)

Chapter VII

"How did Bezaleel make the ark?" "He made three boxes, two of gold and one
of wood. He put the wooden one inside the golden one, and the golden one
inside the wooden one, and covered the upper edge with gold; as is said,
'And thou shalt ov