There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 9. Nothing else, and so forth There was nothing else but the tables of the law within the ark. But on the outside of the ark, or near the ark, were also the rod of Aaron, and a golden urn with manna. Hebrews 9:4. Challoner. Worthington.—These might have been in the ark while it was not fixed: but after the temple was built, all but the tables were placed in the treasury; where, we find, the book of the law was discovered, under Joas. Deuteronomy 31:26. 2 Chronicles 34:14. Others think that, in the days of Saint Paul, the rod, and so forth might have been reposited in the ark, though they had not been admitted at the time when this book was written. Bellar. and so forth—But we have no assurance that the ark was ever placed in the second temple; and Josephus informs us, that when the Romans destroyed the temple, “there was noting at all” in the sanctuary. Calmet.—In area might easily signify ad, or juxta arcam, “near the ark.” Salien.