Topical Encyclopedia The Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object within the religious life of ancient Israel, is described in the Hebrew Bible as the repository for the "Tables of Testimony," also known as the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. These tablets were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai and represent the core of the covenant between God and the people of Israel.Biblical Description and Construction The Ark is first introduced in the Book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with detailed instructions for its construction. According to Exodus 25:10-22, the Ark was to be made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and out, and adorned with a gold molding. It measured two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. The Ark featured a gold cover, known as the "mercy seat," flanked by two cherubim with outstretched wings. Contents of the Ark The primary contents of the Ark were the "Tables of Testimony," as explicitly stated in the Scriptures. In Exodus 25:16, God commands Moses, "And put into the ark the Testimony, which I will give you" . This directive is reiterated in Exodus 40:20, where it is recorded, "He took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark, and set the mercy seat atop the ark" . The significance of the Tables of Testimony lies in their divine origin and their role as a tangible symbol of God's covenant with Israel. Deuteronomy 10:1-5 recounts how Moses, following the breaking of the first set of tablets, was instructed to chisel out two new stone tablets and place them in the Ark. This act underscored the enduring nature of God's covenant despite human failure. Theological Significance The Ark, with the Tables of Testimony inside, served as the focal point of God's presence among His people. It was housed in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, where it was shielded from view by a veil. The Ark's presence signified God's throne on earth, and the mercy seat was considered the place where God would meet with Moses and, by extension, the people of Israel (Exodus 25:22). The exclusive placement of the Tables of Testimony within the Ark highlights the centrality of God's law in the life of Israel. The Ark was not merely a container but a sacred vessel that bore witness to the divine covenant and the moral and spiritual obligations it entailed. Historical and Cultural Context Throughout Israel's history, the Ark played a pivotal role in various events. It was carried into battle, symbolizing God's presence and power, as seen in the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6) and other military campaigns. The Ark's capture by the Philistines and subsequent return (1 Samuel 4-6) further emphasized its significance and the reverence it commanded. The Ark's final resting place was in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, where it remained until the Babylonian conquest. The fate of the Ark following the destruction of the Temple remains a subject of speculation and intrigue. In summary, the Ark of the Covenant, with the Tables of Testimony alone placed within it, stands as a profound testament to the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, embodying divine law, presence, and guidance. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:16,21And you shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 8:9,21 2 Chronicles 5:10 Hebrews 9:4 Library Concerning the Ark of the Covenant, and the Miraculous Signs ... What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? Perpetuity Ancestors of the Blessed virgin Solomon's Temple Spiritualized The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem Scriptural Types. Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ... 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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