adû, “a formal (written) agreement,” and the Ugaritic ‘dt, “assembly.” After the word entered into West Semitic languages, the Egyptian language picked it up as ádet, “conspiracy.” By the time of Ramesses III (ca. 1191–1160 BC), the word was associated with criminal conspiracy.6 This raises the question of what kind of testimony or conspiracy is being suggested by the ark. God had already conspired with Moses to free his people from Pharaoh, but I think there is more to it. I think that the testimony
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