Exodus 26:1-2 - Coverings of The Tent of the Tabernacle - First Covering

Description does not continue with the rest of the artefacts, but rather jumps over to the description of the Tent of the Mishkan:

Exodus 26:1-2

1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.

1 ‏וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה עֶ֣שֶׂר יְרִיעֹ֑ת שֵׁ֣שׁ מָשְׁזָ֗ר וּתְכֵ֤לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן֙ וְתֹלַ֣עַת שָׁנִ֔י כְּרֻבִ֛ים מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה חֹשֵׁ֖ב תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם׃

The color palette of the First Covering of the Tent of the Tabernacle was that of a sunset\sunrise twilight.

Similar to this:

Or this:

And the Cherubim (Angels)... Four-winged(4) human-like creatures....

Word כרבים (Cherubims) meaning - The Guardians...

2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.

‎2 ‏אֹ֣רֶךְ׀ הַיְרִיעָ֣ה הָֽאַחַ֗ת שְׁמֹנֶ֤ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה וְרֹ֙חַב֙ אַרְבַּ֣ע בָּאַמָּ֔ה הַיְרִיעָ֖ה הָאֶחָ֑ת מִדָּ֥ה אַחַ֖ת לְכָל־הַיְרִיעֹֽת׃

So there were ten(10) parts for the First Covering, each being 28 cubits long and 4 cubits wide...

Exodus 25:39-40 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - Weight and Shape

The Menorah (The Lampstand), its Seven Golden Lamps and its Golden Utensils were all made out of one (1) Talent of pure gold.

Exodus 25:39

39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.

39 ‏כִּכָּ֛ר זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹתָ֑הּ אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַכֵּלִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

As you can see, the entire Lampstand was made out of a relatively small piece of gold.

( 1 Gold Talent is a larger cube on the picture)

(three smaller cubes are for comparison and are equal to one large cube)

One(1) Gold Talent weight is equal to 30-34kg, and has volume of approximately 12 cubic cm. As of this posts' date, the price tag of this Lampstand its Lamps and Utensils would stand at around $1.2 USD. You can use one of the online calculators to see for yourself - this one, for example.

Three little cubes on the picture represent a standard 400oz golden bars 12.4kg each, with a price tag of $430k each.

Check out this document and this wiki article for more details.

And in case you are wondering how such a small volume of metal (gold) could be forged into something that looks that big, you can re-read my previous post on characteristics of gold or this wiki article.

Let me also point out a few things about the shape of the Menorah:

Exodus 25:40 

40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

‎40 ‏וּרְאֵ֖ה וַעֲשֵׂ֑ה בְּתַ֨בְנִיתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה מָרְאֶ֖ה בָּהָֽר׃ ס

Whereas I cannot claim that my reconstruction of the Lampstand is 100% correct, it nevertheless does include all details that are at least outlined directly in the original text.

The following images are the most common, but, obviously, incorrect representations of the Menorah:

This one lacks 3 flowers on top of the Stem.

This one also lacks 3 flowers on top of the Stem. It also has straight branches.

And this is not a Menorah at all, but a Hanukiah - a nine-branched candelabrum.

You can compare these two wiki descriptions: Menorah vs. Hanukiah

Therefore, these three examples can be considered only as an artistic representations of an actual Menorah.

(UPDATE 08/17/2010) Please note, that I'm not sure about the weight of 1 Talent of Gold being ~34kg. It seems to me that the weight of 1 Talent of Gold should be equivalent to that of 1 Talent of Silver (as per. Ex.38:24). I'm still working on figuring out the proper conversion table for these units.

Exodus 25:38 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - The Golden Utensils

There were two different types of utensils used with the Lampstand:

1. The Oil Pans - to add oil in the Lamps
2. The Tweezers - to handle and service the Lamps.

Lets' take a look:

Exodus 25:38

38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

38 ‏וּמַלְקָחֶ֥יהָ וּמַחְתֹּתֶ֖יהָ זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

And here is an overview, so that you can compare the dimensions:

Length of the utensils was probably no more that 1.5-2 cubits, but figuring out the precise dimensions would require a much deeper and thorough inquiry into the matter.

Exodus 25:37 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - The Seven Golden Lamps

The Lampstand would not be complete without the Lamps:

Exodus 25:37

37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

‎37 ‏וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ אֶת־נֵרֹתֶ֖יהָ שִׁבְעָ֑ה וְהֶֽעֱלָה֙ אֶת־נֵ֣רֹתֶ֔יהָ וְהֵאִ֖יר עַל־עֵ֥בֶר פָּנֶֽיהָ׃

And here is the larger view of one of the Lamps...

The shape of the lamps assumed a "reflector" of sorts, a little holder for the flint and a space for lamp oil, of'course. Each lamp was of beaten work - just like the Lampstand.

All seven (7) lamps would be oriented towards the from of the Lampstand, towards the Table of Shewbread, to provide the most efficient lighting.

Lets' turn off the lights, so that you can get an idea of what the lit Lampstand would look like:

Not the best rendering, but it does the job :) This how it would look like out in the open... However, inside the Tent, reflective gold-plated walls would contain the light and fill the sanctuary with it.

Exodus 25:34-36 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - The Stem

Lets' take a look at the Stem, the main part of the Lampstand:

Exodus 25:34-36

34 And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers.

‎34 ‏וּבַמְּנֹרָ֖ה אַרְבָּעָ֣ה גְבִעִ֑ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֔ים כַּפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ וּפְרָחֶֽיהָ׃

The Stem was around four (4) cubits tall - the height of a man...

35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.

‎35 ‏וְכַפְתֹּ֡ר תַּחַת֩ שְׁנֵ֨י הַקָּנִ֜ים מִמֶּ֗נָּה וְכַפְתֹּר֙ תַּ֣חַת שְׁנֵ֤י הַקָּנִים֙ מִמֶּ֔נָּה וְכַפְתֹּ֕ר תַּחַת־שְׁנֵ֥י הַקָּנִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑נָּה לְשֵׁ֙שֶׁת֙ הַקָּנִ֔ים הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים מִן־הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃

Two pairs of bottom branches...

...and a pair of top branches, as well as the flowers of the Stem.

36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.

36 ‏כַּפְתֹּרֵיהֶ֥ם וּקְנֹתָ֖ם מִמֶּ֣נָּה יִהְי֑וּ כֻּלָּ֛הּ מִקְשָׁ֥ה אַחַ֖ת זָהָ֥ב טָהֽוֹר׃

The height of the Lampstand with the Branches was around five (5) cubits...

Therefore, the Lampstand had:

1. One (1) Steam and six (6) paired branches.
2. Twenty-two (22) "almond-shaped Cups" - eighteen (18) on the Branches and four (4) on the Stem.
3. Ten (10) Knops - six (6) on the six (6) of the Branches and four (4) on the Stem
4. Ten (10) Flowers - six (6) on the six (6) of the Branches and four (4) on top of the Stem

But there were also the Lamps...

Exodus 25:32-33 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - Six Branches

Lets' take a look at the branches of the Lampstand:

Exodus 25:32-33

32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:

‎32 ‏וְשִׁשָּׁ֣ה קָנִ֔ים יֹצְאִ֖ים מִצִּדֶּ֑יהָ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה׀ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֗ה מִצִּדָּהּ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֔ה מִצִּדָּ֖הּ הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃

There were total of Six(6) Branches and One (1) Stem. Three branches would come out of the stem on the east side (left) and three branches would come out of the stem on the west side (right).

All six branches were curved in shape and were located on different planes, most likely 15-30 degrees apart. But the calculations involved require an extreme knowledge of physics and mathematics, and are far beyond my level of expertise.

After all, the Lampstand was the most complex and the most beautiful artefact of the Tabernacle, and its craftsmanship was that of a scientific art, rather than the science alone!

And here is a top view of the same, so that you can appreciate the design:

33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

33 ‏שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְ֠בִעִים מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים בַּקָּנֶ֣ה הָאֶחָד֮ כַּפְתֹּ֣ר וָפֶרַח֒ וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה גְבִעִ֗ים מְשֻׁקָּדִ֛ים בַּקָּנֶ֥ה הָאֶחָ֖ד כַּפְתֹּ֣ר וָפָ֑רַח כֵּ֚ן לְשֵׁ֣שֶׁת הַקָּנִ֔ים הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים מִן־הַמְּנֹרָֽה׃

Three bowls made like unto almonds...

...with a knop and a flower in one branch...

... and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower...

...so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

Therefore there were:

1. Three(3) "almond shaped cups", One(1) knop ("sphere") and One (1) flower for each branch
2. Total of eighteen(18 ) almond shaped cups, six (3) knops and six (6) flowers on all six (6) branches
3. Three (3) branches on east side of the Lampstand and Three (3) branches on the west side of the Lampstand - Total of six(6) branches.

Exodus 25:31 - The Golden Menorah (Lampstand) - An Overview

And now we move on to the most complex artefact of the Mishkan - The Golden Lampstand (Menorah).
Any hardcore physicists and matematicians here ?!?!!!  ;)

Exodus 25:31

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

31 ‏וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מְנֹרַ֖ת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר מִקְשָׁ֞ה תֵּעָשֶׂ֤ה הַמְּנוֹרָה֙ יְרֵכָ֣הּ וְקָנָ֔הּ גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ׃

And here is a relatively "ugly" rendering of the Lampstand' cross-section:

The Goldent Lampstand summary from this verse:

1. All details of the Lampstand were Forged.
2. Lampstand was hollow inside.

Whereas general details of the Lampstand are pretty much straightforward and understandable, reconstructing exact shape, dimensions and meaning of each part is an extremely difficult undertaking.

I don't usually like to do this, but in case with Menorah it is very appropriate to quote Midrash Bamidbar Rabbah (15:4):

Moses had great difficulty with the construction of the candlestick, for although God had given him instructions about it, he completely forgot these when he descended from heaven.

He hereupon betook himself to God once more to be shown, but in vain, for hardly had he reached earth, when he again forgot.

When he betook himself to God the third time, God took a candlestick of fire and plainly showed him every single detail of it, that he might now be able to reconstruct the candlestick for the Tabernacle. When he found it still hard to form a clear conception of the nature of the candlestick, God quieted him with these words" "Go to Bezalel, he will do it aright."

And indeed, Bezalel had no difficulty in doing so, and instantly executed Moses' commission. Moses cried in amazement: "God showed me repeatedly how to make the candlestick, yet I could not properly seize the idea; but thou, without having had it shown thee by God, couldst fashion it out of thy own fund of knowledge. Truly dost thou deserve thy name Bezalel, 'in the shadow of God,' for thou dost act as if thou hadst been 'in the shadow of God' while He was showing me the candlestick.

English translation is from here.

Exodus 25:29 - The Table of Shewbread: Table Bread - The Shewbread :)

The main purpose of The Golden Table in the sanctuary was to have special Shewbread on it. The description of the Shewbread can be found in Leviticus 24:5-9.

Lets' take a brief look:

Leviticus 24:5-9

5 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.

6 And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.

7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.

9 And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

‎5 ‏וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ סֹ֔לֶת וְאָפִיתָ֣ אֹתָ֔הּ שְׁתֵּ֥ים עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה חַלּ֑וֹת שְׁנֵי֙ עֶשְׂרֹנִ֔ים יִהְיֶ֖ה הַֽחַלָּ֥ה הָאֶחָֽת׃

‎6 ‏וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ אוֹתָ֛ם שְׁתַּ֥יִם מַֽעֲרָכ֖וֹת שֵׁ֣שׁ הַֽמַּעֲרָ֑כֶת עַ֛ל הַשֻּׁלְחָ֥ן הַטָּהֹ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

‎7 ‏וְנָתַתָּ֥ עַל־הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת לְבֹנָ֣ה זַכָּ֑ה וְהָיְתָ֤ה לַלֶּ֙חֶם֙ לְאַזְכָּרָ֔ה אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃

‎8 ‏בְּי֨וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֜ת בְּי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת יַֽעַרְכֶ֛נּוּ לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה תָּמִ֑יד מֵאֵ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם׃

‎9 ‏וְהָֽיְתָה֙ לְאַהֲרֹ֣ן וּלְבָנָ֔יו וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ בְּמָק֣וֹם קָדֹ֑שׁ כִּ֡י קֹדֶשׁ֩ קָֽדָשִׁ֨ים ה֥וּא ל֛וֹ מֵאִשֵּׁ֥י יְהוָ֖ה חָק־עוֹלָֽם׃ ס

It is very worthy to point out that each loaf of bread was made out of two tenth(2/10) of an Omer - around 600-700g.

It is a common misconception to think that each loaf was made out of two tenth (2/10) Ephahs (an Ephah is equal to 10 omers or ~30kg), because it would put the total weight of all twelve loafs at around 100kg. Not to mention that 12 such loafs simply would not fit onto a relatively small table and its plates.

Besides, it would be overtly excessive to have that much bread (even for the whole week) for relatively small number of priests serving in the sanctuary. After all, the Children of Israel were in the desert and it was not the best place to be wasteful.

Now, lets' take a look at the final verse of the description and onto the Table with the Shewbread on it:

Exodus 25:30

30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

‎30 ‏וְנָתַתָּ֧ עַֽל־הַשֻּׁלְחָ֛ן לֶ֥חֶם פָּנִ֖ים לְפָנַ֥י תָּמִֽיד׃ פ

And that is the Table! Enjoy ! :)

Exodus 25:29 - The Table of Shewbread: Table Utensils

The Table also had a set of utensils necessary for the Holy Service:

Exodus 25:29

29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.

‎29 ‏וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ קְּעָרֹתָ֜יו וְכַפֹּתָ֗יו וּקְשׂוֹתָיו֙ וּמְנַקִּיֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻסַּ֖ךְ בָּהֵ֑ן זָהָ֥ב טָה֖וֹר תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָֽם׃

From left to right: Twelve Golden Plates for the Shewbread, Golden Spoons (forks and spoons, 12 pairs), Golden Cups (a set of 12), Golden Decanter( for wine or water, set of at least 2).

And so that you can get an idea of how it would look like on the Table, here is another picture for you:

(Please note that this particular image is not a perfect rendering: only one decanter and only three cups are shown; as well as the rings for the staves of the Table are not rendered properly. Working of it.... ;))

Exodus 25:28 - The Table of Shewbread: Gold-plated staves

The description continues on to the staves of the Table:

Exodus 25:28:

28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

‎28 ‏וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ אֶת־הַבַּדִּים֙ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֔ים וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹתָ֖ם זָהָ֑ב וְנִשָּׂא־בָ֖ם אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן׃

And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood....

...and overlay them with gold...

...that the table may be borne with them....

Exodus 25:26-27 - The Table of Shewbread: Four Golden Rings for the staves.

There were also four golden rings to carry the Table - just like for the Ark.

Exodus 25:26-27

26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.

26 ‏וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ אַרְבַּ֖ע טַבְּעֹ֣ת זָהָ֑ב וְנָתַתָּ֙ אֶת־הַטַּבָּעֹ֔ת עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע הַפֵּאֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לְאַרְבַּ֥ע רַגְלָֽיו׃

27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.

27 ‏לְעֻמַּת֙ הַמִּסְגֶּ֔רֶת תִּהְיֶ֖יןָ הַטַּבָּעֹ֑ת לְבָתִּ֣ים לְבַדִּ֔ים לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת־הַשֻּׁלְחָֽן׃

The rings for the Table were the same size and shape as the rings for the Ark (and other artefacts that we will see later). Rings were located on four legs of the Table and were positioned so that the staves could be inserted along the width of the Table.

Four people were required to carry the Table, and if you have not figured it out by now, the number of rings corresponded to the number of people that were required to carry each particular artefact(unless the number of people was given explicitly, but it is not the case with the Table of Shewbread).

Exodus 25:25 - The Table of Shewbread: Gold-plated Border and the smaller golden crown.

Exodus 25:25

25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

‎25 ‏וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ לּ֥וֹ מִסְגֶּ֛רֶת טֹ֖פַח סָבִ֑יב וְעָשִׂ֧יתָ זֵר־זָהָ֛ב לְמִסְגַּרְתּ֖וֹ סָבִֽיב׃

The "Border" (מסגרת) was sort of an extra part for the Table. It was also made out of gold-plated wood, even though the textual description does not say it explicitly.

Lets' take a look:

The Border was handbreadth (about 11cm or 4 in) tall, and fingerbreadth thick (1cm), and was fitted between four legs of the Table.

A small golden crown of was made to be fitted on top of the Border.

The two parts were put together...

And the resulting piece was put in its place, with the Border center 1 cubit off the ground.

Exodus 25:24 - The Table of Shewbread: Gold plating and the golden crown.

Exodus 25:24

24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.

24 ‏וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לּ֛וֹ זֵ֥ר זָהָ֖ב סָבִֽיב׃

The Golden Crown or "Border" around the table had served several purposes:

1. Make the table more stable - provide better structural integrity
2. Make the table (top part of it) appear thicker
3. Cover its legs (mounting points and other ugly little details)
4. Prevent things from falling of the table

Here is how the table looked like with the Crown on:

But that was not all....

Exodus 25:23 - The Table of Shewbread

The next artefact that is described in the book of Exodus - The Table of Shewbread. Let's take a look...

Exodus 25:23

23 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

23 ‏וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ שֻׁלְחָ֖ן עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים אַמָּתַ֤יִם אָרְכּוֹ֙ וְאַמָּ֣ה רָחְבּ֔וֹ וְאַמָּ֥ה וָחֵ֖צִי קֹמָתֽוֹ׃

Pretty ugly, huh ?!!?.... Well... just wait and see how beautiful it will look like ;)

Exodus 25:12 - Ark of the Covenant: Close-up view of the four golden rings.

Before we move on to the next artefacts of the Mishkan, lets take a closer look at the four golden rings of the Ark.

Acording to the Exodus 25:12, there were four golden rings for the staves of the Ark on both of its sides. The centers of the rings were located 1 cubit from the bottom of the Ark (or, 0.5 cubits from the top of the Ark).

Unfortunatelly, at this time I'm not absolutelly sure about the dimensions and location of the rings. However, based on the material the rings were made of (gold) and based on the other parts of the Mishkan, it would be logically to assume that:

1. 
   
   The rings were located on two shorter sides of the Ark - along the width of the Ark.
2. 
   
   Centers of the rings were located 1 cubit from the bottom of the Ark.
3. 
   
   There were two (2) rings on each short side of the Ark and none of the long sides(lengthwise)
4. 
   
   The rings were approx. 0.1 cubits (4.5-5cm) in length.
5. 
   
   The rings were approx. 0.1 cubits (4.5-5cm) in outside diameter
6. 
   
   The rings were approx. 0.0225 cubits (1-1.1cm) in thickness.
7. 
   
   Therefore the rings had a shape of a small golden tubes.

Here is a very rough rendering of the rings of the Ark:
Please note, that in this image the rings ARE NOT SHOWN TO SCALE!!

I will try to make more precise rendering of the rings later on.

Exodus 25:16 - Ark of the Covenant: A rare look inside the Ark

Here is a very rare opportunity for you to take a look inside the Ark and see how it really looked like:

Exodus 25:16

16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

16 ‏וְנָתַתָּ֖ אֶל־הָאָרֹ֑ן אֵ֚ת הָעֵדֻ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶתֵּ֖ן אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

And what if you were a little jewish gnome and could sneak up into the Ark and hide there? ;)

Well, then you would see something like this:

And here is more artistic representation of the picture above created by J.B. Hare of sacred-texts.com:

The world is the word indeed!

Exodus 25:14 - A closer look at the staves of the Ark

According to this verse, there are two possible ways to mount the staves onto the Ark: along its length or along its width.

The correct way - along its width, with 2.5 cubits between the staves. Such positioning of the staves was done for several reasons:

1. 
   
   The Ark would be more stable when it was carried
2. 
   
   It would be much more convenient and easier for four(4) people, who had to carry the Ark on their shoulders.
3. 
   
   It would assure the security of the Ark in the Holly of Hollies, as Ark's length with the staves would be more than the spacing between each of the four columns of the the room.
4. 
   
   There are several other reasons for such positioning of the staves of the Ark, which I will try to cover later.

Here is the picture:

On the contrary, positioning the staves along its width would make carrying the Ark more difficult and it would've made it possible to remove the Ark from the Tent, without having to dissasemble the entire structure.

Here is the INCORRECT POSITIONING OF THE STAVES of the Ark: