tabut

Tabut is a term used in several languages with different meanings. In Islamic and Malay/Indonesian contexts, tabut most commonly refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred chest said to contain divine tablets and other holy objects. In Turkish, tabut is the everyday word for a coffin or bier.

Etymology and usage: The word comes from Arabic al-tabut (التابوت), the term used in the Qur'an to denote the Ark of the Covenant. Through Ottoman Turkish, the form tabut entered Turkish usage as a general word for a coffin, while in Malay and Indonesian religious language it retains its association with the Ark when used in biblical or Qur'anic contexts.

Religious significance: In the Qur'an, the tabut is the Ark of the Covenant carried by the Israelites, containing the tablets of the covenant. It is cited as a sign of God's support and a reminder of divine covenants. The Qur'anic narrative does not provide a precise historical account of its current location, and later traditions offer various legends about its fate.

Other uses and regional notes: In Turkish, tabut is primarily a common noun for a coffin and is unrelated to the Ark in ordinary conversation. In Malay and Indonesian contexts, tabut is more likely to appear in religious or historical writings referring to the Ark rather than in everyday speech.

See also: Ark of the Covenant; Coffin; Tabut (disambiguation).