I have looked at all my resources and can not find an answer to a question asked recently. I would guess many of you have already dealt with it. I hope you have an answer for me.

Q. How did Aaron's staff fit in the Ark of Testimony. Heb.9.4

Faris

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2003

Answers

Hi Faris,

Just got back from NACC and saw this question. The first thought I had involved the size of the ark and the rod. According to Exodus 25, the ark is approximately 4 feet long by 2.5 feet high by 2.5 feet deep. Using laws of geometry (a squared + b squared = c squared), if the rod was placed in the ark so that one end was in the bottom left corner and the other end set at the top right corner, the rod could be over 5 feet long (about 5'4" to be more accurate). From what I understand, a person of good stature was rarely much over 5 feet tall, so a rod of only 5 feet would make sense for Aaron to possess. Therefore the rod fits into the ark of the covenant as is because it was short enough from the get go.

That is simply my using mathematics and science to draw a conclusion. Other scholars may have other explanations.

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003

Of course one is assuming that the whole rod was placed in the ark.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003

Scott

Interesting thought but I was not aware of the view that folks of that day were short. Can you suggest any resource materials that I can read to support this?

I suppose I am assuming the rod was to long to fit in the Ark. I may be creating a problem that did/does not exist. It could well have been 5' 5". My favorite walking stick is about that length and I am 6' 1".

Thanks for your thoughts.

Danny

Since I consider you a true Bible scholar I never take lightly your response but you lost me with that one. Is there any thing that suggest a portion of the rod was all that was placed in the Ark?

Faris

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2003

Faris,

I don't know about reading materials. It's stuff I remember from social studies and science during my junior and senior high days. Going to the museums of history and stuff, seeing the outfits people wore in medieval times and before. They were rather short. According to the data presented, as nutrition and things got better, we've gotten larger in stature. Doorways used to be made about 5 feet tall, etc. I guess you could look for info through web sites such as Chicago's Museum of Natural History.

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2003

I would vote for the 5 foot length. The OT (and NASB) says it was Aaron's Rod, not his Staff. Staves were much longer, and what we often think of when we think of Moses and Aaron, the so-called shepherd's staff with the crook in it. A rod was a much smaller walking stick and weapon.

-- Anonymous, September 04, 2003