כל חלוץ צבא. כמו הארון הברית והטעם כל חלוץ חלוץ צבא: EVERY MAN THAT IS ARMED FOR WAR. Kol chalutz tzava (every man that is armed for war) is similar to ha-aron ha-berit35Ha-aron has a heh, the definite article, prefixed to it. Such a word cannot be in the construct. Hence our phrase reads, the ark, the covenant. This should be read as if written, the ark, ark of the covenant. See I.E. on Gen. 2:9 (Vol. 1, p. 54, and the notes thereto). (the ark of the covenant) (Josh. 3:14). Its meaning is, every man armed, armed for war.36In I.E.’s edition of the Pentateuch the word chalutz was apparently vocalized with a kamatz. This being the case, the verse read, armed, war. Hence I.E. suggests that our verse be read as if written, armed, armed for war (Motot). It should be noted that in our versions of Scripture the word chalutz is vocalized with a chataf pattach and is in the construct with tzava. It thus reads, armed for war.