Page:Jewish Encyclopedia Volume 2.pdf/141

103 of the zero. In the first volume of this encyclopedia he makes use of the Arithmetic of Nicomachus of Gerasa, a disciple of Pythagoras, which, translated from the Greek into Arabic under the title "Almadhal ila 'ilm al-Adad," was held in great esteem by the Jews. Joseph ibn Aknin recommends this Arithmetic, and it was translated into Hebrew in the fourteenth century by Kalonymus ben Kalonymus. Abraham ibn Ezra composed an arithmetical treatise under the title " Sef er ha-Mispar " he makes use of the zero, calling it in Hebrew " 'iggul." His Arithmetic is the oldest extant in Jewish literature. Abraham ibn Ezra found many imitators, the most celebrated of whom were Levi ben Gershon and Elijah Misrahi. To-day Hebrew literature contains about twenty arithmetical treatises. (See Mathematics.) Bibliography: Steinscnneider, Bibliotheca Mathematica, 1896 Edinburgh Review, xviii. 87 et seq.



a.

I.

ABE OF THE COVENANT JYliV

Aristotle in Jewish Literature

THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA

103

JVQ,

etc.



Ark, see below).

Br.

(Hebrew,

for the complete list of

]1-|K

names of the

Data The first mention

Biblical



Ark of the Covenant

xxx. 23-26); and he was also directed to have the Ark made by Bezaleel, the son of Uri of the tribe of Judah, and by Aholiab, the son of

Sanctity

Ahisamach of the

tribe of Dan (ib. xxxi. 2-7). These instructions Moses carried out, calling upon " every wisehearted " one among the people to

and Consecration.

work (ib. xxxv. 10-12). Bezaleel made Ark (ib. xxxvii. 1); and Moses approved the work (ib. xxxix. 43), put the testimony in the Ark,

assist in the

the

and

installed

it (ib. xl. 20, 21).

1-5 a rather different account of the Ark is given. Moses is made to say that he constructed the Ark before going upon Mount Sinai to receive the second set of tables. The charge of carrying the Ark and the rest of the holy utensils was given to the family of Kohath, of the tribe of Levi but they were not to touch any of the holy things until after the latter had been covered

In Deut.

making

x.

of the



by Aaron (Num. iv. 2-15). In the march from Sinai, and at the crossing of the Jordan, the Ark preceded the people and was the signal for their advance (Num. x.

A

Movable

33



Sanctuary, ing

Ark

of the Covenant.

Ex. xxv. 10 etseq., where told to have an Ark of shittim-wood made for the Commandments which are about to be delivered. Minute directions are given for the plan of the Ark. It is to be 2£ cubits It is to height. in length, 1^ in breadth, and be overlaid within and without with gold, and a is in

Moses on Mount Sinai

is

Hm

crown or molding of gold is to be put around it. Four rings of gold are to be put into its corners two on each side and through these

—

Dimensions rings staves of shittim-wood overlaid and Con- with gold for carrying the Ark are to struction.

be inserted



iii.

3, 6).

During the crossgrew dry

as soon as the feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched its waters, and remained so until the priests, with the Ark, left the river, after the people had passed over (Josh. iii. 15-17; iv. 10, As memorials, twelve stones were taken 11, 18). from the Jordan at the place where the priests had stood (ib. iv. 1-9). During the ceremonies preceding the capture of Jericho, the Ark was carried round the city in the daily procession, preceded by the armed men and by seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns (ib. vi. 6-15). After th6 defeat at Ai, Joshua lamented before the Ark (ib. vii. When Joshua read the Law to the people be6-9). tween Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, they stood on each side of the Ark (ib. viii. 33). The Ark was set up by Joshua at Shiloh (ib. xviii. 1) but when the Israelites fought against Benjamin at Gibeah, they had the Ark with them, and consulted it after their defeat (Judges xx. 27). The Ark is next spoken of as being in the Temple at Shiloh during Samuel's apprenticeship (I Sam. After their first defeat at Eben-ezer, the iii. 3). Israelites had the Ark brought from Shiloh, and welcomed its coming with great rejoicing. In the second battle the Israelites were again defeated, and the Philistines captured the Ark (ib. iv. 3-5, 10, 11). The news of its capture was at once taken to Shiloh

(After Calmet.)

of the Ark in the Bible

Josh.

of the Jordan the river

and these are not to be

re-

moved. A golden cover (Hebr. n"lS3 A. V., "mercy-seat"), adorned with golden cherubim, is to be placed above the Ark and from here the Lord says He will speak to Moses (Ex. xxv. 10-22). The Ark is to be placed behind a veil, a full description of which is given (ib. xxvi. 31-38). Even Aaron was forbidden to enter this place of the Ark too often; and he was enjoined to perform certain ceremonies when entering there (Lev. xvi. 2 el seq.). Moses was directed to consecrate the Ark, when completed, with the oil of holy ointment (Ex.



by a messenger

Captured

"

with his clothes

and with earth upon

his head."

rent,

The

old priest, Eli, fell dead when he heard Philistines, it; and his daughter-in-law, bearing a son at the time the news of the cap-

by

the

ture of the Ark was received, named him Ichabod— explained as " Where is glory? " in reference to the loss of the Ark (ib. iv. 12-22). The Philistines took the Ark to several places in their country, and at each place misfortune resulted At Ashdod it was placed in the to them (ib. v. 1-6).

temple of Dagon. The next morning Dagon was found prostrate before it; and on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again