The ark of the covenant is among the most essential gadgets signifying YHWH’s presence within the Previous Testomony—however it is usually one of the mysterious. Because the ark of the covenant was saved within the innermost a part of the tabernacle and the temple, it naturally makes readers interested in what it will have appeared like. As well as, it was highly effective and harmful: Individuals who handled the ark inappropriately died.
However the ark of the covenant disappeared close to the top of the Previous Testomony. How might one thing so essential and highly effective vanish? From mainstream media just like the Indiana Jones collection to speculative YouTube movies, the future and significance of the ark of the covenant stays of curiosity even in a secular age.
The principle thought of the ark of the covenant was YHWH’s presence together with his individuals. This presence traveled with the individuals within the wilderness however was primarily centered within the tabernacle and temple. As a result of it contained the Ten Phrases (Ten Commandments), it was a visual signal of the covenant YHWH made together with his individuals. Nevertheless, like YHWH himself, it was harmful for many who didn’t deal with YHWH with respect.
The structure of the ark
The principle textual content in regards to the building of the ark of the covenant is within the guide of Exodus, which incorporates each the command to make the ark of the covenant (Exod 25:10–22), in addition to the outline of Bezalel making the ark (Exod 37:1–9). Two later accounts current barely totally different views on the ark (Deut 10:1–5; 1 Kgs 6:19; 8:1–9).
The Hebrew phrase used to explain the ark (ארון) is used to confer with solely two different gadgets within the Previous Testomony: a coffin (Gen 50:26) and a chest to carry cash (2 Kgs 12:10–11). The lexical data now we have, then, leads us to anticipate a fundamental field construction for the ark of the covenant.
This has led to the English translation “ark”—which merely meant “field” or “chest” in older types of English. Whereas it will be laborious to beat conference, it could be higher to translate this as “the field of the covenant” or the “covenantal field,” because the phrase “ark” primarily seems in spiritual contexts at this time. “Ark of the covenant” meant to earlier English audio system what “field of the covenant” would imply to us at this time.
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Ark building in Exodus
The precise dimensions of the ark have been “two and a half cubits in size, one and a half cubits in width, and one and a half cubits in top” (Exod 25:10). Since a cubit was about eighteen inches, the ark would have been about 3.5 toes in size, 2.25 toes in width, and a pair of.25 toes in top.
God’s directions additionally name for the ark to be comprised of acacia wooden (Exod 25:10). Acacia wooden was among the many choices given to assemble the tabernacle (Exod 25:50), and different components of the tabernacle have been additionally made from acacia wooden (Exod 25:23; 26:15; 27:1; 30:1). Acacia wooden was a pure alternative not solely as a result of it was considerable within the Sinai Peninsula, however as a result of a lot Egyptian furnishings was constructed out of it.
The craftsmen have been to cowl the ark with gold on each the inside and outside, in addition to put a golden rim or molding round it (25:11). Overlaying valuable gadgets with gold was frequent for Egyptians.
As well as, the Israelite craftsmen have been to make 4 golden rings that went on the toes of the ark, two on both sides (25:12). The rings held two poles made from acacia wooden that have been lined with gold and designed to stay completely inside the rings of the ark to allow worshipers of YHWH to hold it (25:13–15). If we could choose by potential Egyptian parallels, these rings have been probably beneath the ark, in order that the load of the ark pressed down on the poles. Nevertheless, God’s command to completely connect the poles contrasts with the directions in Numbers 4:6 that the clergymen have been to insert the poles into the ark when it moved. One risk is that the poles might need been retractable, and the clergymen merely prolonged the poles when transferring the ark.
The craftsmen then made a כַפֹּרֶת for the ark. This phrase is normally translated “mercy seat” or “atonement cowl,” as a result of the associated verb כפר typically refers to atonement (Exod 21:30; Lev 1:4). Nevertheless, on this textual content it primarily refers to a canopy for the ark. The duvet was to be overlaid with gold and was the identical measurement because the ark: two and a half cubits in size and one and a half cubits in width (Exod 25:17).
On high of the seat, the craftsmen have been to place two cherubim, one on every finish dealing with the opposite with their wings overshadowing the ark. The cherubim have been to not be positioned on the quilt however linked to the quilt (Exod 25:18–21). Because the textual content offers few particulars about their look, way back to Josephus it has been unclear what these cherubim appeared like (Ant. 8.73). Many of the instances the place cherubim seem within the Previous Testomony are in relation to the ark of the covenant. Outdoors of the ark, cherubim seem within the backyard of Eden (Gen 3:24), as a mount for YHWH (Ps 18:10), in Ezekiel’s imaginative and prescient of YHWH leaving the temple (Ezek 9–11), as a descriptor for the king of Tyre to mark his presence within the backyard of Eden (Ezek 28:14, 16), and in Ezekiel’s imaginative and prescient of the temple (Ezek 41:18–25). Biblical descriptions of their look fluctuate, however wings are a typical component. These cherubim could be human winged types. Nevertheless, primarily based on historical Close to Jap parallels, these cherubim may also be winged sphinxes: human-headed winged lions. This parallel is supported by the frequent connection of sphinxes with thrones.
Ark building in Deuteronomy
The account of the development of the ark in Deuteronomy 10:1–8 is considerably totally different from the one in Exodus: YHWH commanded Moses to make the ark to convey it up the mountain to carry the second copy of the Ten Phrases that YHWH would write. No point out is made from the cherubim or different ritual features. It’s potential that the variations are vital sufficient that that is meant to explain a distinct and short-term ark that performed no ritual function. Nevertheless, it’s extra possible that Deuteronomy is merely specializing in essentially the most related a part of the ark for the context of Deuteronomy: Its function as a holder of the Ten Phrases. As well as, Deuteronomy 10:8 additionally says that the Levites have been to hold the ark to face earlier than YHWH, which signifies that the ark was a logo of divine presence. Simply as when 1 Kings information that Solomon constructed the temple (1 Kgs 6:2), the assertion that Moses constructed the ark probably refers to his coordinating and authorizing the constructing slightly than making it himself, which might harmonize with the account in Exodus that Bezalel constructed the ark.
Visualize the totally different parts of the tabernacle, embrace the Ark of the Covenant, utilizing Logos’s infographics.
Ark building in 1 Kings
The ark as described in 1 Kings is similar to the ark in Exodus. As within the tabernacle, the ark was positioned within the temple’s Holy of Holies (1 Kgs 6:19). Not like in Deuteronomy, the cherubim play a central function on this account (1 Kgs 8:6–7). One further element within the 1 Kings account is that when Solomon put the ark into the temple, the poles have been so lengthy that they have been seen from the Holy Place, however weren’t seen from outdoors the temple (1 Kgs 8:8). Solomon additionally made further cherubim for the Holy of Holies that have been a lot bigger than these on the ark (1 Kgs 6:23–28).
Ark building in Historical Close to Jap context
Students have speculated that the ark might need been impressed by a wide range of sources. The probably sources are Egyptian, because the ark seems just like the sacred boats (typically referred to as barques) in Egypt. These barques typically had poles and have been carried in spiritual ceremonies. Nevertheless, if the biblical ark was indebted to this supply, then the boat theme has been eliminated totally. The ark additionally seems similar to moveable shrines from Egypt, reminiscent of a field with poles that carried a picture of Anubis and was discovered within the well-known tomb of Tutankhamun.
The content material of the ark of the covenant
The Exodus account says that “the testimony” was to be put into the ark, and that “testimony” is later revealed to be the Ten Phrases (25:16, 21; 31:18). The creator of Hebrews (13:4) clarifies that the ark contained, together with the Ten Phrases, some manna and in addition Aaron’s employees that budded (13:4). The supply of this custom is that YHWH commanded Moses to have Aaron put some manna earlier than “the testimony” (Exod 16:34). Since this phrase is constantly used to explain the ark—“the ark of the testimony”—it’s probably referring to the ark. Aaron’s employees that budded was additionally commanded to be positioned earlier than the testimony (Num 17:10). Because the reference to the ark in 1 Kings says that solely the Ten Phrases have been within the ark (1 Kgs 8:9), maybe the opposite two gadgets had been eliminated by the point the ark got here to the temple.
The ark’s story throughout Scripture
Apart from the oblique reference to the ark within the manna account (Exod 16:34), the primary reference to the ark within the Bible is the detailed directions on how you can assemble it (Exod 25:10–22). The ark was to be positioned contained in the Holy of Holies, screened by the curtain (Exod 26:33; 40:3, 21), and anointed (Exod 30:26). YHWH appointed Bezalel and Oholiab to supervise the development of the sacred gadgets, together with the ark (Exod 31:7; 35:12; 37:1–9).
YHWH warned Moses to not enable Aaron to method the ark of the covenant besides on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:2). On that day, the incense would cowl the cherubim in order that the excessive priest wouldn’t die (Lev 16:13). As a part of the ritual of the Day of Atonement, the excessive priest would sprinkle blood from the sacrifice of a bull and a goat on the mercy seat, the quilt of the ark of the covenant (Lev 16:14–15).
The descendants of Kohath have been to protect all of the furnishings of the tabernacle, together with the ark (Num 3:27–32). When Israel moved within the wilderness, Aaron and his sons have been to cowl the ark with the veil of the display screen, a protecting of goatskin, and a blue fabric (Num 4:5–6). The ark led them within the wilderness to convey them to a spot the place they may relaxation (Num 10:33). After YHWH condemned Israel to wander within the wilderness for forty years, the individuals rebelled towards this command by attacking Canaan. Nevertheless, Moses and the ark remained within the camp, signifying the shortage of divine help for this assault (Num 14:44).
In Canaan, the ark performed a central function within the crossing of the Jordan River, because the river was blocked as quickly because the toes of the clergymen carrying the ark have been standing within the river. The clergymen then stayed there till all of the individuals had handed, at which level the clergymen left the riverbed and the water returned to regular (Josh 3–4). Likewise, the ark performed a outstanding function within the conquest of Jericho, because the clergymen carrying the ark led the individuals as they circled the town (Josh 6). After the defeat at Ai, Joshua tore his garments and fell on the bottom in entrance of the ark till night, when YHWH spoke to him (Josh 7:6). When the individuals shouted the blessings and curses to one another on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the ark of the covenant was centered between them (Josh 8:33).
Throughout the time of the judges, the ark was at Bethel and accessible for the Israelites to method and inquire of God (Judg 20:27). Later, the ark was at Shiloh when Samuel was dwelling there (1 Sam 3:3).
The ark performed a central function in Israel’s struggle with the Philistines. After a defeat by the hands of the Philistines, the Israelites determined to take the ark with them into battle. Nevertheless, they have been defeated, and the Philistines captured the ark (1 Sam 4). The ark then started a journey via Philistine territory, the place each the Philistine deity’s picture and the Philistines themselves suffered hurt due to the presence of the ark, till finally the Philistines determined to ship it again to Israel. The ark returned to Beth Shemesh, the place many Israelites died after they appeared on the ark. After this, the ark went to the home of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Sam 5:1–7:2).
When David determined to convey the ark to Jerusalem, the Israelites made a brand new cart and introduced it from the home of Abinadab in the direction of Jerusalem. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, led the cart. Nevertheless, when the oxen stumbled and Uzzah steadied the ark together with his hand, YHWH struck him lifeless (2 Sam 6:1–7). More than likely the explanations for this judgment have been twofold:
- Uzzah was not a priest, as Josephus famous (Ant. 7.81).
- Uzzah and Ahio weren’t following the right protocol for carrying the ark with poles.
The ark then stayed on the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for 3 months (2 Sam 6:11). Seeing the blessing given to Obed-Edom, David determined to return the ark to Jerusalem. He organized for intensive sacrifices and he himself danced for pleasure alongside the best way (this incurred the scorn of his spouse Michal). The ark was then positioned in a tent in Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:12–22).
Within the parallel account in Chronicles, David says that solely the Levites have been permitted to hold the ark (1 Chr 15:2), and that the Levites accurately carried the ark on their shoulders with the poles, following Moses’s instructions (1 Chr 15:15).
Afterwards, the ark stayed in a tent in Jerusalem (2 Sam 11:11), even when David fled Jerusalem (2 Sam 15:24–29). Solomon designed the inside sanctuary of the temple to carry the ark (2 Kgs 6:19), and the ark was moved by clergymen to the temple accompanied by a really giant variety of sacrifices (2 Kgs 8:1–9).
The ark isn’t talked about once more within the historic books till a ultimate reference from the time of Josiah, who commanded the Levites to place the ark into the temple and never carry it on their shoulders (2 Chr 35:3). This command to not carry the ark maybe implies that the ark had been on the transfer earlier than this, maybe due to an idolatrous follow.
Outdoors the Pentateuch and the historic books, the ark seems solely twice within the Previous Testomony. First, a psalmist attracts on Solomon’s prayer of temple dedication (2 Chr 6:41) and calls on YHWH to “come up to your relaxation, you and the ark of your energy” (Ps 132:8). Second, in Jeremiah’s imaginative and prescient of an excellent future he says,
They are going to now not say “the ark of the covenant of YHWH,” and it shall not come to their thoughts, and they won’t bear in mind it, and they won’t lengthy for it, and it shall not be made once more. (Jer 3:16)
The importance & features of the ark of the covenant
The importance of the ark of the covenant facilities on the divine presence of YHWH together with his individuals, Israel. Coming after the making of the covenant with the individuals at Sinai, the ark demonstrated the fact of YHWH’s dedication to Israel. Nevertheless, how that divine presence features will depend on the textual content. There are at the least 4 features given for the ark in Scripture.
1. Communication with God
One perform of the ark was communication with God. After detailing how you can assemble the ark, Exodus lays out clearly what one of many functions of the ark was to be:
And I’ll maintain my appointment with you there and I’ll converse with you from above the quilt, from between the 2 cherubim that are above the ark of the testimony. (Exod 25:22)
Moses heard God chatting with him from between the cherubim (Num 7:89). YHWH guided Israel within the wilderness via the ark, instructing the individuals the place to go (Num 10:33–36). Likewise, Joshua fell prostrate earlier than the ark and YHWH spoke to him there (Josh 7:6–15). YHWH offered an oracle to Israel from the ark through the time of the judges (Judg 20:27–28). In accordance with Chronicles, the clergymen spoke to YHWH earlier than the ark, providing reward and due to the God of Israel (1 Chr 16:4–6, 37). Maybe most of the references within the Previous Testomony to individuals coming “earlier than YHWH” to talk with YHWH would imply that the individual got here earlier than the ark of the covenant (Josh 18:6; 1 Sam 12:7).
2. Connection to highly effective divine actions
Second, the divine presence within the ark was linked to highly effective actions.
That is mirrored most clearly within the martial prayer of Moses that YHWH would defeat their enemies when the ark was set out (Num 10:35). The dearth of the presence of the ark within the assault on Canaan symbolized YHWH’s absence and led to defeat (Num 14:44). The presence of the ark on the Jordan River prompted it to cease flowing (Josh 3–4). Likewise, the ark within the round journeys round Jericho indicated YHWH’s hand within the assault (Josh 6). Though the presence of the ark within the battle towards the Philistines didn’t convey victory to Israel, YHWH was cautious to reveal that he was not defeated because the ark introduced calamity on the Philistines wherever it went, till the Philistines despatched it again to Israel (1 Sam 4–6). When it was returned to Israel, the ark introduced judgment to these even inside Israel who handled it flippantly (1 Sam 6:13–21; 2 Sam 6:1–9), nevertheless it introduced blessing to those that honored it (2 Sam 6:10–11). A laconic reference to the ark would possibly point out using the ark in battle by Saul (1 Sam 14:18–19). The presence of the manna and Aaron’s employees that budded contained in the ark reminded Israel each of YHWH’s look after them up to now and of his judgement of Israelite evildoers.
3. Emphasizing the exclusivity of the divine presence
Third, some texts emphasize the unique nature of the divine presence manifested within the ark of the covenant. Solomon says that the locations the place the ark went have been holy, so the daughter of Pharaoh couldn’t reside in Jerusalem (2 Chr 8:11). In each the tabernacle and the temple, the ark of the covenant was within the innermost a part of the sacred construction the place nobody besides the excessive priest might go (and that solely annually). It’s potential that the cherubim on the ark have been meant to be a throne for YHWH, since just a few texts describe YHWH “sitting on the cherubim” (1 Sam 4:4; 6:2). Nevertheless, whereas a throne understanding of the cherubim is feasible, the ark isn’t referred to as a throne. The references to YHWH sitting on the cherubim is also translated as “dwelling among the many cherubim,” they usually could confer with the cherubim across the divine throne in heaven slightly than the cherubim on the ark (which might be designed to think of the cherubim on the divine throne). Additionally it is potential that the ark was to be considered because the footstool of YHWH, with the throne of YHWH in heaven (1 Chr 28:2), however that connection isn’t made clearly.
More than likely, the divine presence related to the ark of the covenant shouldn’t be an excessive amount of narrowed, as that would make the ark too just like a divine picture. Since divine pictures have been banned in historical Israel and the ark occupied the house within the temple {that a} divine picture would usually have occupied, YHWH rigorously leaves obscure how precisely his presence was manifested within the ark. Following the function of cherubim elsewhere within the Previous Testomony and related beings within the historical Close to East, slightly than a throne they’re probably protecting beings guarding the presence of YHWH.
4. Offering a spot of atonement
Fourth, the ark of the covenant as a spot of atonement is recommended by the standard translation of the כפרת of the ark because the “mercy seat” or “atonement cowl,” and the element that the excessive priest would sprinkle blood from the sacrifice of a bull and a goat on the mercy seat through the rituals of the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:14–15). Nevertheless, this isn’t a major theme linked to the ark of the covenant within the Previous Testomony.
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The names of the ark of the covenant
The ark goes by a number of totally different names within the Bible.
1. “The ark of the covenant”
The commonest for it in English at this time is “the ark of the covenant,” which seems nearly 100 occasions within the Previous Testomony. This title first seems in Numbers 10:33 as Israel units out from Mount Sinai to journey within the wilderness, and is the title ceaselessly utilized in Deuteronomy and the historic books. The main focus of this title is on the divine presence of YHWH with Israel as expressed within the covenant God had made with them.
2. “The ark of the testimony”
“The ark of the testimony” is the commonest title for the ark in Exodus and within the early chapters of Numbers. Nevertheless, the Hebrew phrase generally translated “testimony” in these texts is extra possible linked to the concept of covenant, primarily based on each how the phrase is used within the Previous Testomony and Akkadian and Aramaic cognates that imply covenant. Due to this fact, this title for the ark of the covenant means the identical factor as “the ark of the covenant.”
3. “The ark of YHWH”/“The ark of God”
The names “the ark of YHWH” and “the ark of God” are generally used within the historic books and spotlight the divine presence of YHWH with the ark.
4. “The ark of the God of Israel”
The reference to the ark as “the ark of the God of Israel” is simply utilized by the Philistines to explain the ark.
The reception historical past of the ark within the New Testomony and elsewhere
The New Testomony accommodates two references to the ark of the covenant.
First, the creator of Hebrews surveys the assorted components of the temple, together with the ark of the covenant within the Holy of Holies—noting that it contained manna, Aaron’s employees that budded, and the Ten Phrases (13:4).
Second, John sees the temple in heaven opened and the ark of the covenant inside that temple (Rev 11:19). The presence of the ark is stunning right here, however maybe the mysterious disappearance of the ark within the Previous Testomony led to its continued symbolism for the presence of God within the heavenly temple. Its perform right here is within the context of highly effective actions of God, just like the ark within the Previous Testomony.
In Jewish custom, synagogues have Torah arks the place the Torah scrolls are saved. More than likely, these arks have their origin in imitating the ark of the covenant, which additionally had a sacred textual content inside it.
In medieval Christian traditions, the ark symbolized varied issues, together with the womb of Mary (which held the divine presence), Christ’s physique because the divine presence, or the church as a complete.
The future of the ark of the covenant
The ultimate future of the ark of the covenant is unknown and stays one of many nice mysteries of the Previous Testomony. A variety of theories exist.
The movie Raiders of the Misplaced Ark (1981) says that the Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak took it to Egypt when he plundered Jerusalem and took “the treasures of the home of YHWH” (1 Kgs 14:25–26), however this doesn’t match with the later presence of the ark in Jerusalem through the time of Josiah.
Two medieval traditions in regards to the future of the ark stay fashionable at this time, although each are extremely unbelievable. Probably the most outstanding is that the ark was taken to Ethiopia by the son of Solomon and the queen of Sheba, the place a church claims to own the ark at this time. Nevertheless, no historical proof exists for this custom, and it doesn’t account for the presence of the ark in Jerusalem through the time of Josiah. One other custom means that the ark was taken by the Romans after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and brought to Rome, the place it was positioned in Saint John Lateran’s Basilica. Nevertheless, no proof exists that the ark of the covenant was within the temple after the return from exile, and the Arch of Titus displaying the plunder from the temple doesn’t depict the ark of the covenant.
So what occurred to the ark? We merely have no idea. The final reference to the presence of the ark is within the time of Josiah, who reigned from 640 to 609 BCE (2 Chr 35:3). The disappearance of the ark would possibly already be referred to by Jeremiah, who says that the ark of the covenant won’t be made once more (Jer 3:16).
One Jewish custom says that Josiah hid the ark earlier than the Babylonian conquest, however the account of Josiah’s life within the Previous Testomony makes it unlikely that he was anticipating an entire defeat by the hands of the Babylonians. When the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, Jeremiah lists many gadgets that they took (Jer 52:17–23). The ark of the covenant was not amongst this stuff, which could indicate that it had already been faraway from Jerusalem earlier than this occasion. One other custom says that Jeremiah took the tent, the ark, and the incense altar to Mount Nebo and hid them there in a cave. When others tried to search out the place, he rebuked them and stated that God would reveal the place when his individuals have been gathered sooner or later (2 Macc 2:1–8). One other early custom recounts that the Babylonians plundered the ark after they conquered Jerusalem (2 Esd 10:22).
For causes of his personal, God has not deemed it vital for his followers at this time to know the future of this vital Previous Testomony artifact.
Charlie Trimm’s really helpful assets on the ark of the covenant
- Day, John. “No matter Occurred to the Ark of the Covenant?” In John Day, ed., Temple and Worship in Biblical Israel. LHB/OTS 422. T&T Clark, 2005.
- Eichler, Raanan. The Ark and the Cherubim. FAT 146. Mohr Siebeck, 2021.
- McGeough, Kevin M. Readers of the Misplaced Ark: Imagining the Ark of the Covenant from Historical Occasions to the Current. Oxford College Press, 2025.
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