f 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 l