The Hebrew word for ark is “TEVAH“=תבה.
This word ONLY appears in two places in the entire Old Testament.
The first place is in Chapter Six of Genesis, where we are currently at in our study.
“So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark (tevah) of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.”-Genesis 6:13-14
The second place is in Exodus Chapter Two where the baby Moses is placed in an “ark”.
I am aware some translations use the word “basket” instead of “ark”.
Nevertheless, the original Hebrew word is “tevah”, which means “ark” and given the spiritual significance involved, I think the same word should be used.
“And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark (tevah) of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark (tevah) among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”-Exodus 2:2-6 and 10
Notice that in both cases, the ark is the divine means of escape God has prepared for His chosen people.
In Genesis, mankind was to be destroyed by a flood of water.
But God saw to it that Noah and his family would be saved by placing them safely in a “Tevah” to protect them from the flood waters.
In Exodus, all Israelite male babies were to be killed by being drowned in the Nile.
But God saw to it that Moses would be the savior of Israel by placing him in a “Tevah”, to ride atop the water.
Using water and an ark, God is showing us two parallel patterns of salvation.
The first pattern in Genesis is used for saving mankind in general.
The second pattern in Exodus is used for saving the Hebrews.
So in these last days, who or what is our TEVAH?
What can we rely on 100% to rescue us from our worries and problems as well as the great destruction that is to come upon the earth, most likely soon?
Of course, the answer is Yeshua, our Lord and Savior.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.-Hebrews 11:7
Amen! And interestingly your drash also led me to find out that `tevah` also means `word`!! So indeed as Yeshua is the Word made flesh!
And as `tevah` also means `word` it also means that we take refuge as you wrote above, in God`s Word as we read the Torah, and it lifts us up above the floodwaters of daily life (also that I read in another drash, so its not original but I liked the metaphor too!) !
Shalom and have a great week!
Hi Shayndel, Apologies for this super belated reply. Glad you found this post inspiring. Be blessed and Shalom!
Love this
Glad you found this edifying Sharlene. Be blessed and SHALOM!
Where you found that Tevah means also Word? I never found this meaning.
One point that came to mind is that the “saving” circle gets smaller and smaller – all mankind Vast God) -> chosen people (God of Israel)-> individuals (Personal Savior).
Where did you found that Tevah means word?