The History and Mystery of the Ark of the Covenant
A gold-plated box guarded by a pair of cherubim, the Ark of the Covenant is as mysterious as it is famous. Steven Spielberg popularized the search for the Ark in his 1981 movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which played on a centuries-old fascination with this holy relic. But, what exactly was the Ark of the Covenant? Did the Ark possess some kind of mystical powers? Where was the Ark, and where is it now? And, finally, why does it matter?
What Was the Ark of the Covenant?
The original purpose of the Ark of the Covenant was to hold the tablets of the law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai ( Deut 10:1–5). Regarding its construction, the Ark was a wooden box plated with gold. Long poles, also gold plated, were affixed to the Ark by rings so the priests could move it without touching it. The Mercy Seat, flanked by golden cherubim, rested on top of the Ark. This was where God met with Moses to provide instructions for the Israelites ( Exodus 25:22). The Ark, together with the Mercy Seat, came to represent the presence of God.
God had imposed strict rules concerning the Ark, including these requirements:
- Only the High priest was allowed to come into the presence of the Ark, and then only once a year ( Leviticus 16).
- Only the Levites were allowed to transport the Ark, and they were to carry it by its poles ( Exodus 25:14).
- When they removed the Ark from the Tabernacle to transport it, they were to cover the Ark.
Did the Ark Have Mystical Powers?
The opening of the Ark of the Covenant was a memorable scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. As the Nazi officers opened the golden chest, it released some kind of mystical or angelic power that killed everyone who looked at it. This fictional scene likely finds its basis in the biblical event recorded in 1 Samuel 6:19. In this passage, God slaughtered many people at Beth Shemesh when they looked into the Ark.
However, this is not the only instance of God imposing punishment, and even the death penalty, for mistreating the Ark. In 2 Samuel 6:6, Uzzah was transporting the Ark to Jerusalem at King David’s request. He touched the Ark to stabilize it when the oxen pulling the cart stumbled; God immediately struck Uzzah dead. When the Philistines captured the Ark from the Israelites, all kinds of problems plagued them wherever they took the Ark. Their idols fell and broke in the presence of the Ark, tumors infected the people, and many died ( 1 Samuel 5). In each of these instances, however, it is clear that God was taking action against those who broke the rules. There is no indication that the ark itself ever had any magical powers.
The Historical Journey of the Ark
The Ark originated at Mount Sinai where Bezalel, a skilled craftsman, made it according to the specifications that God provided ( Exodus 37:1). From there, it traveled with the Israelites throughout their 40 years of wilderness wanderings. When they finally crossed into the Promised Land, the priests carrying the Ark stood on dry ground in the center of the Jordan River, while all the people crossed over ( Joshua 3:17).
The following table outlines the known historical locations of the Ark:
| Location | Biblical and Historical Context |
|---|---|
| Shiloh | After the initial conquest, the Israelites made Shiloh their new headquarters, pitching the Tabernacle there ( Joshua 18:1). |
| Philistine Territory | The Philistines captured the Ark but could not keep it because of the punishment meted out by God ( 1 Samuel 5). |
| Kirjath Jearim | The Philistines returned the Ark at Beth Shemesh, but the Israelites sent it here because they were afraid ( 1 Samuel 6:21). |
| Jerusalem | When David became king of Israel, he brought the Ark from Kirjath Jearim to Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 6:17). |
| The Temple | 2 Chronicles 35:3 records King Josiah returning the Ark to the temple as part of his religious reforms. |
Where Is the Ark Now?
The location of the Ark became lost over time, and multiple stories emerged regarding its whereabouts. 2 Chronicles 35:3 contains the last historical reference to the Ark. There, it presumably resided for the rest of its known history, although apparently, it did not remain completely sedentary. Archaeologist Gary Byers compiled a list of 21 hypotheses about the fate of the Ark.