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an entrance for the priests； who crept under it。 Over this there
was a veil of linen； of the same largeness with the former： it
was to be drawn this way or that way by cords； the rings of
which； fixed to the texture of the veil； and to the cords also；
were subservient to the drawing and undrawing of the veil； and to
the fastening it at the corner； that then it might be no
hinderance to the view of the sanctuary； especially on solemn
days； but that on other days； and especially when the weather was
inclined to snow； it might be expanded； and afford a covering to
the veil of divers colors。 Whence that custom of ours is derived；
of having a fine linen veil； after the temple has been built； to
be drawn over the entrances。 But the ten other curtains were four
cubits in breadth； and twenty…eight in length； and had golden
clasps； in order to join the one curtain to the other； which was
done so exactly that they seemed to be one entire curtain。 These
were spread over the temple； and covered all the top and parts of
the walls； on the sides and behind； so far as within one cubit of
the ground。 There were other curtains of the same breadth with
these； but one more in number； and longer； for they were thirty
cubits long； but these were woven of hair； with the like subtilty
as those of wool were made； and were extended loosely down to the
ground； appearing like a triangular front and elevation at the
gates； the eleventh curtain being used for this very purpose。
There were also other curtains made of skins above these； which
afforded covering and protection to those that were woven both in
hot weather and when it rained。 And great was the surprise of
those who viewed these curtains at a distance； for they seemed
not at all to differ from the color of the sky。 But those that
were made of hair and of skins； reached down in the same manner
as did the veil at the gates； and kept off the heat of the sun；
and what injury the rains might do。 And after this manner was the
tabernacle reared。
5。 There was also an ark made； sacred to God； of wood that was
naturally strong； and could not be corrupted。 This was called
Eron in our own language。 Its construction was thus： its length
was five spans； but its breadth and height was each of them three
spans。 It was covered all over with gold； both within and
without； so that the wooden part was not seen。 It had also a
cover united to it； by golden hinges； after a wonderful manner；
which cover was every way evenly fitted to it； and had no
eminences to hinder its exact conjunction。 There were also two
golden rings belonging to each of the longer boards； and passing
through the entire wood； and through them gilt bars passed along
each board； that it might thereby be moved and carried about； as
occasion should require； for it was not drawn in a cart by beasts
of burden； but borne on the shoulders of the priests。 Upon this
its cover were two images； which the Hebrews call Cherubims； they
are flying creatures； but their form is not like to that of any
of the creatures which men have seen； though Moses said he had
seen such beings near the throne of God。 In this ark he put the
two tables whereon the ten commandments were written； five upon
each table； and two and a half upon each side of them； and this
ark he placed in the most holy place。
6。 But in the holy place he placed a table； like those at Delphi。
Its length was two cubits； and its breadth one cubit； and its
height three spans。 It had feet also； the lower half of which
were complete feet； resembling those which the Dorians put to
their bedsteads； but the upper parts towards the table were
wrought into a square form。 The table had a hollow towards every
side； having a ledge of four fingers' depth； that went round
about like a spiral； both on the upper and lower part of the body
of the work。 Upon every one of the feet was there also inserted a
ring； not far from the cover； through which went bars of wood
beneath； but gilded； to be taken out upon occasion； there being a
cavity where it was joined to the rings； for they were not entire
rings； but before they came quite round they ended in acute
points； the one of which was inserted into the prominent part of
the table； and the other into the foot； and by these it was
carried when they journeyed： Upon this table； which was placed on
the north side of the temple； not far from the most holy place；
were laid twelve unleavened loaves of bread； six upon each heap；
one above another： they were made of two tenth…deals of the
purest flour； which tenth…deal ＇an omer＇ is a measure of the
Hebrews； containing seven Athenian cotyloe； and above those
loaves were put two vials full of frankincense。 Now after seven
days other loaves were brought in their stead； on the day which
is by us called the Sabbath； for we call the seventh day the
Sabbath。 But for the occasion of this intention of placing loaves
here； we will speak to it in another place。
7。 Over against this table； near the southern wall； was set a
candlestick of cast gold； hollow within； being of the weight of
one hundred pounds； which the Hebrews call Chinchares ；。 if it be
turned into the Greek language； it denotes a talent。 It was' made
with its knops； and lilies； and pomegranates； and bowls （which
ornaments amounted to seventy in all）； by which means the shaft
elevated itself on high from a single base； and spread itself
into as many branches as there are planets； including the sun
among them。 It terminated in seven heads； in one row； all
standing parallel to one another； and these branches carried
seven lamps； one by one； in imitation of the number of the
planets。 These lamps looked to the east and to the south； the
candlestick being situate obliquely。
8。 Now between this candlestick and the table； which； as we said；
were within the sanctuary； was the altar of incense； made of wood
indeed； but of the same wood of which the foregoing vessels were
made； such as was not liable to corruption； it was entirely
crusted over with a golden plate。 Its breadth on each side was a
cubit； but the altitude double。 Upon it was a grate of gold； that
was extant above the altar； which had a golden crown encompassing
it round about； whereto belonged rings and bars； by which the
priests carried it when they journeyed。 Before this tabernacle
there was reared a brazen altar； but it was within made of wood；
five cubits by measure on each side； but its height was but
three； in like manner adorned with brass plates as bright as
gold。 It had also a brazen hearth of network； for the ground
underneath received the fire from the hearth； because it had no
basis to receive it。 Hard by this altar lay the basins； and the
vials； and the censers； and the caldrons； made of gold； but the
other vessels； made for the use of the sacrifices； were all of
brass。 And such was the construction of the tabernacle； and these
were the vessels thereto belonging。
CHAPTER 7。
Concerning The Garments Of The Priests； And Of The High Priest。
1。 There were peculiar garments appointed for the priests； and
for all the rest； which they call Cohanoeoe ＇…priestly＇ garments；
as also for the high priests； w