Ark of the Covenant

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An image of the ark of the covenant

The ark[1] of the covenant, located in the Most Holy Place, was a chest that stored the stone tablets on which the words of the covenant, that is, the Ten Commandments, were engraved. God promised to meet with Israel above the atonement cover over the ark of the covenant.[2] During their life in the wilderness, the ark of the covenant always preceded Israel. The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God’s power[3] to the Israelite nation and served as the center of their faith.

Names and Synonyms

The ark containing the Ten Commandments is called the “ark of the covenant” or the “ark of the covenant law.[4] This is because the Ten Commandments are laws, commandments,[5] and a covenant.[6] The ark of the covenant was also called the “ark of the Testimony”[7] in the sense that it contained the tablets of the testimony. It was also called the “ark of the LORD” and the “ark of God.[8][9] In general, it is also called “sacred ark,” meaning a holy ark.[10]

Making of the Ark of the Covenant

Location of the ark of the covenant in the sanctuary

God descended on Mount Sinai and personally proclaimed the Ten Commandments to the Israelites.[11] Afterwards, Moses was called to Mount Sinai and commanded to build a sanctuary to store the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments written by God Himself. The ark of the covenant was then made to house the Ten Commandments, and it was placed in the most sacred inner room of the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place.

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I [Jehovah] will dwell among them. . . . Have them make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. . . . And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. . . . The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law [Ten Commandments] that I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. . . . Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place.”

Exodus 25:8–22; 26:34


The ark of the covenant is two and a half cubits long (approximately 114 cm or 45 inches) and one and a half cubits wide and high (approximately 68 cm or 27 inches). It is made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold inside and out. The atonement cover, which covers the ark, is also made of pure gold. Cherubim (angels) are positioned at the two ends of the atonement cover, spreading their wings high to cover it, with their faces turned toward each other[12] and the center Inside the ark of the covenant were a golden jar containing manna, Aaron‘s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant that Moses received from God on Mount Sinai.[13]

Meaning and Role of the Ark of the Covenant

Place to Meet God

The covering part of the ark of the covenant made of pure gold is called the “atonement cover,” and is also called the “mercy seat,” which means a place to bestow grace. At both ends of the atonement cover are images of cherubim. God said He would meet Moses between these two cherubim.[12][14][15]

Ark Housing the Tablets of the Ten Commandments

Just as the two cherubim who guarded the tree of life in Eden wielded flaming swords, the two cherubim guarding the ark of the covenant did so as well. The Ten Commandments contained within the ark served as a path to eternal life, akin to the tree of life in Eden. Jesus emphasized the importance of keeping the commandments for attaining life.[16]

Just as Adam and Eve, after sinning, were barred from approaching the tree of life, those with sinful bodies cannot receive the Ten Commandments. God established regulations for the high priest to approach the ark of the covenant by undergoing purification through the blood of sacrifice. The descendants of Kohath, among the Levites, were tasked with carrying the ark of the covenant.[17] On special occasions, priests also participated in its transportation.[18][19] Anyone who approached the ark of the covenant with a sinful and impure body, or touched it with defiled hands in violation of the regulations, faced death.[20][21][22][23]

Symbols Representing Christ

The manna stored in the ark of the covenant, Aaron’s budded staff, and the tablets of the covenant (Ten Commandments) symbolize Christ.

  • Manna: Throughout their journey from the Exodus until they entered Canaan, the Israelites sustained themselves on manna, the food from heaven, in the wilderness. Jesus later declared, “I am the bread of life,” revealing that He is the fulfillment and reality of the manna provided to the Israelites.[24]
  • Aaron’s Staff That Budded: God consecrated Aaron as high priest through Aaron’s staff that budded.[25] The placing of the staff, which symbolizes the high priest office, inside the ark of the covenant foreshadowed the coming of Jesus as the ultimate high priest in the future.[26]
  • Tablets of the Covenant: The Word who became flesh is Jesus.[27] The tablets of the covenant, too, represent Jesus who is God the Word.

Ark of the Covenant in Biblical History

The route of the ark of the covenant in Canaan

The ark of the covenant initially resided in the Tabernacle upon its creation, accompanying the Israelites throughout their journey in the wilderness. After the Israelites settled in Canaan, it was housed in the region of Shiloh[28] until the time of Judge Eli. Subsequently, it was relocated to various locations until King David brought it to Zion.[29] After King Solomon built the Temple, it resided in the Most Holy Place of the Jerusalem Temple.[30] However, following the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the Bible does not document the whereabouts of the ark of the covenant.

Throughout history, those who served the ark with reverence for God were blessed, and Israel’s glory shone brightly. Conversely, those who treated the ark carelessly and despised God faced destruction.[31]

Period in the Desert

On the first day of the first month, the second year of the Exodus from Egypt, Moses constructed the tabernacle as directed by God’s word. He placed various articles in it, including the ark of the covenant, which contains the Ten Commandments (the tablets of testimony). A cloud then covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of God filled the tabernacle.[32] The ark of the covenant remained with the Israelites throughout their journey in the wilderness until they entered Canaan. The people always followed the ark of the covenant, positioning it at the forefront. When the ark stopped, the people also halted, setting up the tabernacle and making camp.[33]

  • When the Israelites arrived at the River of Jordan with Canaan in sight, it was the harvest season, and the riverbanks were overflowing. At this time, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant took the lead and stepped into the river according to the word of God. Then the water flowing from upstream stopped, revealing dry land. The priests stood on this dry riverbed with the Ark of the Covenant until all the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.[18]
  • During the conquest of Jericho, the gateway to Canaan, the power of God was revealed through the ark of the covenant. God commanded the priests to carry the ark and instructed the people to march around the city of Jericho once each day for six days. On the seventh day, He commanded them to march around the city seven times. After they obeyed these instructions and shouted together, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing Israel to enter Canaan without difficulty.[19]

Period of Judges

  • During the time when Samuel served as a prophet of the LORD among all Israel, the Israelites camped at Ebenezer and fought against the Philistines. Facing heavy casualties and little chance of victory, the elders of Israel decided to bring the ark of the covenant from Shiloh to their camp, believing it would ensure their success. When the Philistines learned that the ark of God was in the Israelite camp, they were terrified. However, contrary to the Israelites’ expectations, they were defeated by the Philistines, and the ark of the covenant was captured. This defeat was attributed to the sins of Hophni and Phinehas, sons of Eli, who was a judge and high priest. Although they were priests, Hophni and Phinehas despised God’s sacrifices and committed evil deeds, earning a reputation as scoundrels who disrespected God. Both Hophni and Phinehas died in the battle, and Eli, upon hearing the tragic news, also died on the same day.[34][35]
  • After capturing the ark of the covenant, the Philistines brought it to the city of Ashdod and placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. The next day, a remarkable event occurred: the statue of Dagon had fallen facedown before the ark, with its head and both hands broken off, leaving only its torso intact.[36]
  • Witnessing this, the Philistines were filled with fear. They decided to move the ark to another location, but a deadly plague broke out in that area, causing many deaths.[37]
  • The ark of the covenant was eventually moved to Beth Shemesh,[38] a town on the outskirts of Israel. However, due to the people of Beth Shemesh recklessly looking into the ark, violating sacred regulations, a disaster struck, and 50,070 people died.[23]
  • After this incident, the ark was moved to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained in the house of Abinadab for about twenty years.[39]

Era of Kingdoms

Peter Paul Rubens, Sacrifice of the Old Covenant, 1626
  • As the years passed and David became king of Israel, the nation enjoyed peace. During this time, King David planned to move the ark from Abinadab’s house to Jerusalem, regretting that the ark had been being neglected. To accomplish this, David mobilized thirty thousand soldiers from across the nation, and they transported the Ark on a new cart. However, as the cart was being pulled, the oxen stumbled at the threshing floor of Nacon, causing the cart to shake. Alarmed, Uzzah, the son of Abinadab, reached out and took hold of the ark, but he was struck dead on the spot.[22] This was because he touched the ark of God inappropriately, contrary to the regulations, thereby incurring God’s wrath.
  • Fearing the consequences after Uzzah’s death, David halted his plans to move the ark to Jerusalem. Instead, the ark was temporarily kept in the house of Obed-Edom, a Gittite. During this time, God blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.
  • Encouraged by the news of the blessings on Obed-Edom’s house, David resumed the process of moving the Ark. At this time, unlike the previous occasion when proper procedures were not followed, the Ark was carried by the Levites according to the regulations.[40] When the Ark of God returned to the City of David, David rejoiced with great joy, dancing before the Lord like a child.[41] However, Michal, his wife, who did not understand the significance of the Ark’s blessing, despised David for his exuberance, and she remained childless for the rest of her life.[42] David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord and appointed Levites to serve before the Ark, leading them in praising, thanking, and singing hymns to God.[43]
  • Encouraged by the blessings on Obed-Edom’s house, David resumed the process of moving the ark. This time, unlike the previous occasion when proper procedures were not followed, the ark was carried by the Levites according to the regulations. When the ark of God returned to the City of David, David rejoiced with great joy, dancing before the LORD like a child. However, Michal, his wife, did not understand the significance of the Ark’s blessing and despised David for his exuberance. As a result, she remained childless for the rest of her life. David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD and appointed Levites to serve before the Ark, leading them in praising, thanking, and singing hymns to God.
  • After moving the ark to the City of David, David became concerned that the ark, where God was in presence, was still housed in a tent. He summoned the prophet Nathan and expressed his earnest desire to build a house for God.[44] God promised that David’s son, who would be born to him, would carry out the task of building the temple. Following this promise, David instructed his successor Solomon to build the temple and made preparations for its construction by gathering the necessary materials.[45]
  • Solomon built the temple and brought in all the furnishings, including the ark of the covenant. When this was done, the glory of God filled the temple.[46]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ark, Merriam-Webster Dictionary
  2. ↑ "Exodus 25:22".
  3. ↑ "Psalms 132:7–8".
  4. ↑ "Leviticus 16:2".
  5. ↑ "Exodus 24:12".
  6. ↑ "Exodus 34:28".
  7. ↑ "Exodus 25:16–22".
  8. ↑ "Joshua 6:6".
  9. ↑ "1 Samuel 3:3".
  10. ↑ "2 Chronicles 35:3".
  11. ↑ Exodus 20
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Exodus 25:17–20".
  13. ↑ "Hebrews 9:1–5".
  14. ↑ "Numbers 7:89".
  15. ↑ "Numbers 17:4".
  16. ↑ "Matthew 19:17".
  17. ↑ "Numbers 4:2–3, 15".
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Joshua 3:14–17".
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Joshua 6:6–21".
  20. ↑ "Leviticus 10:1–2".
  21. ↑ "Numbers 18:3".
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "2 Samuel 6:6–7".
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "1 Samuel 6:19".
  24. ↑ "John 6:47–51".
  25. ↑ "Numbers 17:1–11".
  26. ↑ "Hebrews 5:8–10".
  27. ↑ "John 1:1–14".
  28. ↑ "Joshua 18:1".
  29. ↑ "2 Samuel 6:11–15".
  30. ↑ "1 Kings 6:14–20".
  31. ↑ "1 Samuel 2:30".
  32. ↑ Exodus 40
  33. ↑ "Numbers 10:33–36".
  34. ↑ "1 Samuel 4:4–11".
  35. ↑ "1 Samuel 4:17–22".
  36. ↑ "1 Samuel 5:1–5".
  37. ↑ "1 Samuel 5:6–10".
  38. ↑ "1 Samuel 6:1–12".
  39. ↑ "1 Samuel 6:20–7:2".
  40. ↑ "1 Chronicles 15:11–15".
  41. ↑ "2 Samuel 6:11–15".
  42. ↑ "2 Samuel 6:16–23".
  43. ↑ "1 Chronicles 16:1–4".
  44. ↑ "2 Samuel 7:1–6".
  45. ↑ "1 Chronicles 22:2–6".
  46. ↑ "1 Kings 8:1–11".
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