A rectangular wooden box, overlaid with gold, measuring 3.75 x 2.25 x 2.25 feet (1.1 x 0.7 x 0.7 metres). It contains the Law tablets and symbolises God's presence with his people.

Exodus 25:22

Descriptions of the ark

Leviticus 16:2
Numbers 10:33
Joshua 3:6; 4:5,9
1 Samuel 4:11
Exodus 25:10-16
Deuteronomy 10:1

The construction of the ark

Exodus 31:1-7; 35:10-12; 37:1-5
Deuteronomy 10:3
Exodus 39:33,35; 40:1-5,20-21
Exodus 25:17-21; 26:34; 30:6; 37:6-9; 39:35; 40:20

The construction of the atonement cover

Numbers 3:30-32; 4:5

The care of the ark

Deuteronomy 10:8; 31:9
Joshua 3:3,6,15-16; 6:4-16; 8:33

Major events in the history of the ark

The ark is taken to the promised land

Judges 20:26-28

The ark is the focus of the covenant renewal at Mount Ebal

1 Samuel 4:1-11,17-22; 5:1-12

The ark is captured by the Philistines

1 Samuel 6:1-3,10-15,19; 7:1-2

The ark is returned to Israel

2 Samuel 6:1-12

The ark is brought to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:17

pp 1Ch 13:3-14

1 Chronicles 15:1; 16:37
2 Samuel 7:2-7

pp 1Ch 16:1

2 Samuel 15:24-25,29

pp 1Ch 17:1-6

1 Kings 8:1-6

David is fleeing from Absalom.

The ark is placed in the temple

2 Chronicles 35:3

pp 2Ch 5:2-7

The ark in later Israelite history

The ark must have been moved from the temple.

Deuteronomy 10:5

The function of the ark

See also

To contain the tablets of the Law

Exodus 25:16,21; 40:20
Deuteronomy 31:24-26
1 Kings 8:9
Hebrews 9:4
Numbers 7:89

The jar of manna and Aaron's rod were originally placed beside the ark (Ex 16:34; Nu 17:10), and were probably put inside it at a later date.

See also

As the place where God reveals his commands to Moses

Exodus 25:22; 30:6,36
Leviticus 16:2

See also

As a symbol of the presence of God

Numbers 10:33-36
Joshua 7:6
Judges 20:27
2 Samuel 7:2
2 Chronicles 6:41

pp 1Ch 17:1

Leviticus 16:13-15

pp Ps 132:8

Used on the Day of Atonement

2 Samuel 6:6-7

The ark's holiness and effect

Irreverent treament of the ark brings judgment

See also

Joshua 3:4

pp 1Ch 13:9-10

1 Samuel 5:1-4,8-12; 6:19
2 Samuel 6:11

The presence of the ark brings blessing

pp 1Ch 13:14

Jeremiah 3:16

A restored Israel in which the ark has no place

Revelation 11:19

The ark in John's revelation

See also

The ark here symbolises the presence of God and is open and visible, not hidden in the Most Holy Place.

1650 numbers, significance
5073 Aaron, priest
5378 law, OT
5581 throne
7245 Judah, kingdom of
7308 Atonement, Day of
7396 Most Holy Place
7459 tabernacle, in OT
7467 temple, Solomon's
7768 priests, OT function
9230 judgment seat