Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/204

 On the  inside  the  roof  and  the  walls  were  covered  with  rich tapestry, and  on  the  outside  with  skins  and  furs. Moreover, on the  ceiling  of  the  Sanctuary  as  also  on  its  inner  walls,  was  fastened a most precious weaving in  very brilliant colours, adorned with  an embroidery  of  cherubim and  palms and flowers.



In the  Holy  of Holies  he  placed  the Ark of  the  Covenant (Fig. 28)  which  was covered with  gold within and  without. At its  four  corners,  on  the  outside,  were attached rings  of  gold,  through  which  bars,  overlaid  with  gold, were passed,  whereby  to  carry  the  Ark. In the  Ark  he  put  the tables of  the  Law. As these  tables,  on  which  the  Ten  Commandments were  written,  contained  the  chief  heads  of  the  Old Covenant, the  Ark  itself  was  called  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant. Later on,  there  was  also  placed  in  the  Ark  a vase  filled  with Manna, and  the  rod  of  Aaron. He then  placed  over  the  Ark  a cover  or  lid  of  the  purest  gold,  called  the  Propitiatory,  at  the ends of  which  stood  two  cherubim  of  beaten  gold,  looking  at each  other,  and  spreading  their  wings  so as  to  overshadow  the  Propitiatory.



In the  Holy were three principal  sacred  objects: 1. the altar  of  incense (Fig.  29)  made  of acacia  wood  and  overlaid with the  purest  gold. On this altar  was  offered  the daily sacrifice  of  incense. 2. The  seven  - branched candlestick wrought  of  the  finest  gold,  on  which  seven  lamps were burning  perpetually  (Fig.  30). 3. The  table  of  the  twelve loaves of  proposition,  or  shew-breads,  likewise  overlaid  with  the