Topical Encyclopedia The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest constructed by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, served as the earthly throne of God and a central symbol of His covenant with Israel. The Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out, as described in Exodus 25:10-11. It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4).The Mercy Seat The Mercy Seat, or "kapporet" in Hebrew, was the solid gold cover placed atop the Ark of the Covenant. It was here that the presence of God would manifest, dwelling between the two cherubim that were crafted as part of the Mercy Seat. These cherubim faced each other with their wings spread upward, overshadowing the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17-20). The Mercy Seat was not merely a lid for the Ark but held profound theological significance. It was the place where atonement was made for the sins of the people of Israel. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat, symbolizing the atonement for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16:14-15). This act was a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice would fulfill the requirements of the Law once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-12). Symbolism and Significance The Mercy Seat represents God's throne on earth and His willingness to dwell among His people. It is a powerful symbol of His mercy and grace, as it was the place where divine justice and mercy met. The blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat signified the covering of sin, pointing to the future sacrifice of Christ, who is described as the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). The presence of the Mercy Seat atop the Ark underscores the centrality of God's mercy in His relationship with humanity. It highlights the necessity of atonement and the provision of a means by which sinful humanity can be reconciled to a holy God. The Mercy Seat, therefore, is a profound testament to God's redemptive plan and His desire to restore fellowship with His creation. Biblical References · Exodus 25:17-22 : "You are to make an atonement cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the atonement cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the atonement cover, at its two ends. The cherubim are to have wings spread upward, overshadowing the atonement cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the atonement cover. Place the atonement cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law 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." · Leviticus 16:14-15 : "He is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover. He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it." · Hebrews 9:11-12 : "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." The Ark of the Covenant and its Mercy Seat remain central to understanding the nature of God's covenant with Israel and His ultimate plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:21And you shall put the mercy seat above on the ark; and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 26:34 Library The Ark of his Covenant What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? The Fourfold Treasure Importance of Small Things in Religion The Rent Veil Perfection in Faith The Blood of Sprinkling The Day of Atonement The New Covenant. Resources Would the discovery of Noah's Ark be important? | GotQuestions.orgHow did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.org What are some of the most common questions about Noah's Ark? | GotQuestions.org Ark: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God's Strength Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Testimony Ark of the Covenant was Carried by Priests of Levites Alone Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Before the Israelites in Their Journeys Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Sometimes to the Camp in War Ark of the Covenant: A Copy of the Law Laid in the Side of Ark of the Covenant: A Symbol of the Presence and Glory of God Ark of the Covenant: A Type of Christ Ark of the Covenant: Anointed With Sacred Oil Ark of the Covenant: At Kirjath-Jearim Twenty Years Ark of the Covenant: Brought by Solomon Into the Temple With Great Solemnity Ark of the Covenant: Brought Into the City of David Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philistines Ark of the Covenant: Covered With the Vail by the Priests Before Removal Ark of the Covenant: David Made a Tent For Ark of the Covenant: Dimensions of Ark of the Covenant: Entirely Covered With Gold Ark of the Covenant: Esteemed the Glory of Israel Ark of the Covenant: Furnished With Rings and Staves Ark of the Covenant: Mercy-Seat Laid Upon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of Dagon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of the Walls of Jericho Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Jordan Divided Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Manner of Its Restoration Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Philistines Plagued Ark of the Covenant: Placed in the Holy of Holies Ark of the Covenant: Profanation of, Punished Ark of the Covenant: Protecting of, Rewarded Ark of the Covenant: Removed from Kirjath-Jearim to the House of Obed-Edom Ark of the Covenant: Sanctified Its Resting Place Ark of the Covenant: Surrounded With a Crown of Gold Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites Enquired of the Lord Before Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant in John's Vision Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God's Strength Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Covenant Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Testimony Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: An Oracle of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philstines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Carried by Kohathites Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Construction of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Directions for Making Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Holy Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: How Prepared for Conveyance Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Place of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Pot of Manna Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains at the House of Abinadab Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains in the House of Obed-Edom Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Returned by the Philistines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Sanctification of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Jerusalem Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Shiloh Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Siege of Jericho Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Taken to Battle Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Transferred to Solomon's Temple Ark: Noah's: Directions for Building of Ark: Noah's: Noah and Family Preserved In Removed from Jerusalem by Zadok at the Time of Absalom's Revolt, But Returned by Command of David Related Terms Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) Blast-trumpets (3 Occurrences) |
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