DictionaryarkSacred container
noun

ark

A chest or cabinet holding sacred objects in Jewish tradition.

The congregation faces the ark holding the Torah scrolls.

Etymology

Latin arca means a chest or box. This sense preserves the idea of a container, applied to the sacred chest or a cabinet housing Torah scrolls.

More examples

  • He opened the synagogue's ark for the service.
  • The museum displayed a model of the Ark of the Covenant.
  • The carved doors protected the ark's sacred contents.

Forms

ark · arks

Similar words

chest
The physical container without sacred associations.
cabinet
Describes the furniture form rather than its religious role.