Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box)

The Ark of the Covenant, also known as the Covenant Box, is an especially holy object in the Bible. The Ark is a holy chest that has a dedicated place in the tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Hebrew the word for “ark” is aron. This word means “chest” and is primarily used for the Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box), but also for a money box in the Temple (see 2 Kings 12:10) and for Joseph’s sarcophagus (Genesis 50:25-26). For “Noah’s ark” a different word is used in Hebrew.
The word “ark” is very seldom used on its own in the Bible. It is almost exclusively combined with “God” or “Lord”, but also frequently with “covenant”. In some texts, the word “ark” is also seen as a “footstool” (1 Chronicles 28:2) and “throne” (1 Samuel 4:4) for God.

There is an extensive description of the Ark (Covenant Box) in Exodus 25:10-22. It is a box made of acacia wood and it is inlaid with gold, both on the inside and the outside. In the Ark there are two stone tables containing the Ten Commandments as a reference to God’s covenant with Israel.

In the Bible, different occasions are mentioned at which the Ark (Covenant Box) plays an important role, such as in offerings, in battle and in the Temple.
The Ark is seen as a reminder that God lives with his people and protects them.

The Ark (Covenant Box) played an important part from Exodus to 2 Chronicles, but after that it is not mentioned again. How and when the Ark disappeared is uncertain. The Bible does not say how and when this happened. There are four events that could have played a part:

In the Bible, the Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box) has an important religious function.

The Ark (Covenant Box) is a holy symbol of the presence of God. The Ark was seen as God’s “footstool” (1 Chronicles 28:2) and his “throne” (1 Samuel 4:4). The Ark was made at the same time as the tabernacle. It is placed in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle. Eventually, the Ark was given a place in the Temple in Jerusalem. When Solomon had built the Temple, the priests put the Ark in the rear most section, in the Most Holy Place. The description can be found in 1 Kings 8:6-9.

On the Day of Atonement, according to Leviticus 16:11-15, the high priest must sprinkle the blood from the sacrificial animal onto the mercy seat, the lid of the Ark or Covenant Box (see purification offerings). Through this blood he atones for his own sins, those of his family and the people.

The Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box) also plays a part in the stories of the conquest of Canaan and the fight against the Philistines:

In the Bible, the Ark of the Covenant (Covenant Box) is described in two ways: as a very special and beautiful chest, or rather as a simple chest.

In the Old Testament, instructions are given in Exodus 25:10-22 for the construction of the Ark (Covenant Box). The Ark is a chest made of acacia wood. It is 45 inches (about 110 cm) long, 27 inches (about 66 cm) wide and 27 inches (about 66 cm) high. The chest is gilded, both on the outside and on the inside, and the chest is also decorated with a moulding of gold. On top of the Ark are two cherubim, facing each other. They are spreading their wings, in effect protecting the lid. The Ark is carried by two long poles overlaid with gold, fitted through rings at the bottom of the chest. In this way the chest could be moved without anyone touching it. Touching the Ark was forbidden, because it was holy.

In Deuteronomy 10:3 it only says that Moses made a chest of acacia wood. There is no mention of golden decorations.

According to Exodus 25:16 and Deuteronomy 10:2, two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments must be kept in the Ark (Covenant Box). Other special items must be kept with the Ark as well:

According to Hebrews 9:4, Aaron’s staff and the jar of manna were kept inside the chest, rather than beside it.