"a chest, coffer; the ark of the covenant, Heb. 9:4; Rev. 11:19; the ark of Noah, Mt. 24:38; Lk. 17:27; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20*"
Definition and meaning
a chest, coffer; the ark of the covenant, Heb. 9:4; Rev. 11:19; the ark of Noah, Mt. 24:38; Lk. 17:27; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: κιβωτός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kibotos (G2787) across the King James Bible.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2787 (kibotos) is a Greek word that means: a chest, coffer; the ark of the covenant, Heb. 9:4; Rev. 11:19; the ark of Noah, Mt. 24:38; Lk. 17:27; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word kibotos (G2787) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2787 is kibotos, a Greek word defined as: a chest, coffer; the ark of the covenant, Heb. 9:4; Rev. 11:19; the ark of Noah, Mt. 24:38; Lk. 17:27; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kibotos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.