7306 ark of the covenant
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7306 ark of the covenant

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.

Descriptions of the ark

Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 10:33; Joshua 3:6; Joshua 4:5,9; 1 Samuel 4:11

The construction of the ark

Exodus 25:10-16; Deuteronomy 10:1; Exodus 31:1-7; Exodus 35:10-12; Exodus 37:1-5; Deuteronomy 10:3; Exodus 39:33,35; Exodus 40:1-5,20-21

The construction of the atonement cover

Exodus 25:17-21; Exodus 26:34; Exodus 30:6; Exodus 37:6-9; Exodus 39:35; Exodus 40:20

The care of the ark

Numbers 3:30-32; Numbers 4:5; Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 31:9

Major events in the history of the ark

The ark is taken to the promised land

Joshua 3:3,6,15-16; Joshua 6:4-16; Joshua 8:33

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

Judges 20:26-28

The ark is captured by the Philistines

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

The ark is returned to Israel

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

The ark is brought to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:1-12 pp 1 Chronicles 13:3-14; 2 Samuel 6:17 pp 1 Chronicles 16:1; 1 Chronicles 15:1; Corinthians 16:37; 2 Samuel 7:2-7 pp 1 Chronicles 17:1-6; 2 Samuel 15:24-25,29 David is fleeing from Absalom.

The ark is placed in the temple

1 Kings 8:1-6 pp 2 Chronicles 5:2-7

The ark in later Israelite history

2 Chronicles 35:3 The ark must have been moved from the temple.

The function of the ark

To contain the tablets of the Law

Deuteronomy 10:5 See also Exodus 25:16,21; Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 31:24-26; 1 Kings 8:9; Hebrews 9:4 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.

As the place where God reveals his commands to Moses

Numbers 7:89 See also Exodus 25:22; Exodus 30:6,36

As a symbol of the presence of God

Leviticus 16:2 See also Numbers 10:33-36; Joshua 7:6; Judges 20:27; 2 Samuel 7:2 pp 1 Chronicles 17:1; 2 Chronicles 6:41 pp Psalm 132:8

Used on the Day of Atonement

Leviticus 16:13-15

The ark's holiness and effect

Irreverent treament of the ark brings judgment

2 Samuel 6:6-7 pp 1 Chronicles 13:9-10 See also Joshua 3:4; 1 Samuel 5:1-4,8-12; Samuel 6:19

The presence of the ark brings blessing

2 Samuel 6:11 pp 1 Chronicles 13:14

A restored Israel in which the ark has no place

Jeremiah 3:16

The ark in John's revelation

Revelation 11:19 The ark here symbolises the presence of God and is open and visible, not hidden in the Most Holy Place.

See also

1640  Book of the Law
5071  Aaron
5377  law, Ten Commandments
5581  throne
7241  Jerusalem, significance
7308  Atonement, Day of
7396  Most Holy Place
7458  tabernacle, the
7467  temple, Solomon's
7768  priests, OT function
9230  judgment seat



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