The Ark of the Covenant was a chest originally constructed by Moses at God's command and placed in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. It was constructed of Shittim wood overlaid in gold. It was richly ornamented and became the receptacle in which were kept the two tablets of stone, on which were engraved the ten commandments. It contained, likewise, a golden pot filled with manna and Aaron's rod that budded. It was at first deposited in the most sacred place in the tabernacle, and afterwards placed by Solomon in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple. When the Temple was destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, the Ark was carried to Babylon and destroyed. Exodus 25:10
For for a description of the Ark of the Covenant see the article on the Temple posted at the Phoenix Masonry History Page.
The legends of the degree of "Select Master" in Royal Arch Masonry deal with the loss of the Ark to the Babylonians and sustain the claim that it was never recovered, and that neither the Temple of Zerubbabel or Herod's Temple contained the Ark.
Pictures of a full size replica of the Ark:
"Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth"; so the ark is called in the Holy Scriptures Joshua 3:11. This most holy object was made of acacia wood, completely covered with fine gold, and decorated with a golden wreath.
The Ark of the Covenant was an ark or chest of shittim (acacia) wood two and one-half cubits long, and one and one-half cubits high (5 feet by 3 by 3) overlaid with gold, and embellished with a crown of gold extending around the chest upon the top edge. Four rings of pure gold were set in the four corners, two on one side and two on the other, through which were passed the wooden staves overlaid with gold used in carrying the sacred chest. Exodus 25:10; Exodus 37:1-9.
The Ark of the Covenant, thus fittingly enshrined, was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place. It was visited but once each year by the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement, to make "atonement for the sins of the people." This was the most solemn ceremony of the Hebrew worship.
The lid, or covering was the Mercy Seat, and was one piece of of pure gold, two and one-half cubits long and one and one-half cubits broad (5 feet by 3). Upon each end of this Mercy Seat were Cherubim, made of pure "beaten" gold. These cherubim stretched forth their wings on high, so as to cover the Mercy Seat, their faces being inward toward the Mercy Seat. In this Ark, or Chest, and directly under the Mercy Seat, were the most sacred religious items of Judaism which included the Testimony or Ten Commandments upon two tables of stone, Manna from Heaven and Arron's Rod.
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Looking into the Ark of the Covenant one can see it contents: The Golden Pot of Manna, the Ten Commandments, and Aaron's Rod that Budded.
The Mercy Seat, Cherubim, and Shekinah Glory
The mercy seat and cherubim consisted of one integral unit made from solid beaten gold. Perhaps this speaks of His glory and deity being one. The only other article within the tabernacle similarly constructed was the candlestick.
Shekinah glory represents the very presence of God, and the cloud veiled His presence. This cloud led His people to Israel, and the Holy Spirit similarly leads His people today. "I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony." Exodus 25:22
(A special "Thanks" to Artist and Lecturer - Rev. David Hamilton of Mishkan Ministries for allowing to photograph his beautiful Ark. David has a website of his own where you can see other reproductions of Temple artifacts like the Golden Candlestick, Table of Shewbread and Altar of Incense. David travels the United States giving lectures on these sacred objects. You can visit his website by clicking on this link)
Biblical References
Exodus 25:10
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Joshua 3:11
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the LORD of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
Exodus 25:10
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exodus 37:1-9
1 And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: 2 And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. 3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. 4 And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 7 And he made two cherubim of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; 8 One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubim on the two ends thereof. 9 And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubim.
Exodus 25:22
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
~~ooOoo~~
This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
