Ark of the Covenant Moses and Joshua bowing before the Ark (c. 1900) by James Tissot The Ark of the Covenant, [a] also known as the Ark of the Testimony[b] or the Ark of God, [c][1][2] was a religious storage chest and relic held to be the most sacred object by the Israelites. Explore the dimensions, history, symbolism, and mystery of the Ark of the Covenant, including what the Bible says, what archaeologists propose, and why this sacred object still captures the world’s imagination.

Understanding the Context

Where Is the Ark of the Covenant Today? History, Theories, and Biblical ... What was the Ark of the Covenant and why was it so important to Israel? Read about what it was made of and what it contained.

Key Insights

The Ark of the Covenant was one of the most instrumental symbols of faith and God’s presence. The contents of which included the tables of the Mosaic law, a pot of manna, and the rod of Aaron. The Ark of the Covenant is a sacred chest described in the Hebrew Scriptures as the earthly dwelling place of the presence of God among His people. The Hebrew word often translated “ark” (אֲרוֹן, ‘aron) signifies a container or chest, and in this context, it is set apart as the “Ark of the Covenant” or “Ark of the Testimony.” Archaeologists have made a breakthrough in the hunt for the Ark of the Covenant, which vanished from the biblical record before the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Ark of the Covenant mystery blown wide open as 'biblical relic' is ...

Final Thoughts

With the ark, his presence was believed to dwell on the “mercy seat” between the cherubs, offering a constant reminder of the covenant.