Topical Encyclopedia The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest constructed by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, is one of the most significant artifacts in biblical history. It served as the earthly dwelling place of God's presence and was central to the worship and religious practices of the Israelites. The dimensions of the Ark are explicitly detailed in the Scriptures, providing insight into its construction and significance.According to the Book of Exodus, the Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out. The specific dimensions are given in cubits, an ancient unit of measurement. In Exodus 25:10 , the instructions for the Ark's construction are recorded: "They are to make an ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high." To understand these dimensions in modern terms, it is essential to convert cubits to contemporary units of measurement. A cubit is generally considered to be approximately 18 inches (45.72 centimeters) in length. Therefore, the dimensions of the Ark of the Covenant can be translated as follows: · Length: Two and a half cubits, which is approximately 45 inches (114.3 centimeters). · Width: One and a half cubits, which is approximately 27 inches (68.58 centimeters). · Height: One and a half cubits, which is approximately 27 inches (68.58 centimeters). The Ark's design was not only functional but also symbolic. The use of acacia wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay, and the overlay of pure gold, signified the Ark's sacredness and the divine presence it represented. The Ark was topped with the "mercy seat," a solid gold cover with two cherubim facing each other, their wings spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. This is described in Exodus 25:17-20 : "And you are to make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold." The Ark's dimensions and construction were divinely ordained, reflecting its role as the focal point of God's covenant with Israel. It was housed in the innermost part of the Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies, and later in the Temple built by Solomon. The Ark's presence signified God's guidance, covenant, and the centrality of His law, as it contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, as noted in Hebrews 9:4 . The precise dimensions and detailed instructions for the Ark's construction underscore its importance in the religious life of ancient Israel and its enduring significance in biblical theology. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 25:10And 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 37:1 Library The Middle Colonies: the Jerseys, Delaware, and Pennsylvania --The ... A Little Sanctuary Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ... Genesis The Survival of the Fittest. Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ... Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It. Chapter vi Gifts Received for the Rebellious The Book of Jubilees Resources What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the ark of the testimony? | GotQuestions.org What was inside the ark of the covenant? | GotQuestions.org Ark: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of God's Strength Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark of the Covenant was Called The: Ark of the Testimony Ark of the Covenant was Carried by Priests of Levites Alone Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Before the Israelites in Their Journeys Ark of the Covenant was Carried: Sometimes to the Camp in War Ark of the Covenant: A Copy of the Law Laid in the Side of Ark of the Covenant: A Symbol of the Presence and Glory of God Ark of the Covenant: A Type of Christ Ark of the Covenant: Anointed With Sacred Oil Ark of the Covenant: At Kirjath-Jearim Twenty Years Ark of the Covenant: Brought by Solomon Into the Temple With Great Solemnity Ark of the Covenant: Brought Into the City of David Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philistines Ark of the Covenant: Covered With the Vail by the Priests Before Removal Ark of the Covenant: David Made a Tent For Ark of the Covenant: Dimensions of Ark of the Covenant: Entirely Covered With Gold Ark of the Covenant: Esteemed the Glory of Israel Ark of the Covenant: Furnished With Rings and Staves Ark of the Covenant: Mercy-Seat Laid Upon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of Dagon Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Fall of the Walls of Jericho Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Jordan Divided Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Manner of Its Restoration Ark of the Covenant: Miracles Connected With: Philistines Plagued Ark of the Covenant: Placed in the Holy of Holies Ark of the Covenant: Profanation of, Punished Ark of the Covenant: Protecting of, Rewarded Ark of the Covenant: Removed from Kirjath-Jearim to the House of Obed-Edom Ark of the Covenant: Sanctified Its Resting Place Ark of the Covenant: Surrounded With a Crown of Gold Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In Ark of the Covenant: The Israelites Enquired of the Lord Before Ark of the Covenant: The Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod Laid up Before Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant in John's Vision Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God's Strength Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Covenant Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of the Testimony Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Aaron's Rod Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: An Oracle of God Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Captured by the Philstines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Carried by Kohathites Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Construction of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Directions for Making Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Holy Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: How Prepared for Conveyance Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Place of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Pot of Manna Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Prophecy Concerning Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains at the House of Abinadab Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Remains in the House of Obed-Edom Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Returned by the Philistines Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Sanctification of Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Jerusalem Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Set up in Shiloh Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Siege of Jericho Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Taken to Battle Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Transferred to Solomon's Temple Ark: Noah's: Directions for Building of Ark: Noah's: Noah and Family Preserved In Removed from Jerusalem by Zadok at the Time of Absalom's Revolt, But Returned by Command of David Related Terms Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) Blast-trumpets (3 Occurrences) |