Chest
Chest
is the rendering in certain passages in the Auth. Vers. of two distinct Hebrew terms: אָרוֹן or אָרֹן, aron´ (from אָרָה, to gather; Sept. κιβωτός, Vulg. gazophylacium), invariably used for the Ark (q.v.) of the Covenant, and, with two exceptions, for that only. (It is instructive to be reminded that there is no connection whatever between this word and that for the "ark" of Noah, and for the "ark" in which Moses was hid among the flags [both תֵּבָה, tebah]). 'The two exceptions alluded to are (a) the " coffin" or mummy-case in which the bones of Joseph were carried from Egypt (Ge 1:26; rendered in the Targum of Ps.-Jon. by γλώσσοκομπν — compare Joh 12:6 — in Hebrew letters: the reading of the whole passage is very singular); and (b) the "chest" in which Jehoiada the priest collected the alms for the repairs of the Temple (2Ki 12:9-10; 2Ch 24:8-11). SEE COFFIN. 2. גֵּנָזַים, genazim´ (only in the plur.; from גָּנִז, to hoard, "chests," Eze 27:24; "treasures," Es 3:9; Es 4:7).
Many boxes of various forms have been discovered among the Egyptian monuments. Some of these had lids resembling the curved summit of a royal canopy, and were ornamented with the usual cornice: others had a simple flat cover, and some few a pointed summit, resembling the shelving roof of a house. The sides were secured with wooden nails and glue, and dovetailed together. This last kind of lid was divided into two parts, one of which alone opened, turning on two small pins at the base, on the principle of the doors of their houses and temples; and, when necessary, the two knobs at the top could be tied together and sealed. These boxes were frequently of costly materials, veneered with rare woods, or made of ebony inlaid with ivory, painted with various devices, or stained to imitate materials of a valuable nature; and the mode of fastening the lid, and the curious substitute for a hinge given to some of them, show that the former was entirely removed, and that the box remained open while used. When not veneered, or inlaid with rare wood, the sides and lid were painted, and those intended for the tombs, to be deposited there in honor of the deceased, had usually funereal inscriptions or religious subjects painted upon them, among which were offerings presented by members of their family. (See Wilkinson, Anc. Eg. 1:163; 2:116, abridgment.) SEE BOX.
