Definition of Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant is a relic that is mentioned in the Bible and that is shrouded in mystery. Its meaning is part of the tradition Jewish and Christian. According to the gospels, it was built on Mount Sinai following God's instructions. This treasure represents the presence of God on Earth and for this reason it has aroused the interest of researchers and theologians.

What does the Bible say about it?

It is a chest made of wood and covered with gold that was deposited in a sacred space, specifically the Sancta Sanctorum integrated into the Temple of Jerusalem. The chest contained some of the most treasured relics of the Jewish people: the tablets of the law, the rod of Aaron and the glass of Manna. Each of these elements has a specific meaning:

1) the tables of the law refer to the two stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses,

2) Aaron's rod (Aaron was Moses' brother) refers to who was to lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land and

3) the glass of Manna symbolizes the food of the Hebrew people on their journey through the desert.

According to the sacred scriptures, two golden cherubs protected the Ark of the Covenant with their wings. This relic disappeared when the Hebrews and the Philistines fought a battle. The Philistines seized it and as God did not accept this action, he decided to punish the phalistines with an epidemic.

The prophet Samuel was able to retrieve the Ark and later the King David had her transferred to Jerusalem.

A mythical treasure from the Old Testament about which there are all kinds of versions

According to the chronicles of the kings of Ethiopia collected in the book Kebra Nagast, Emperor Menelik l seized the Ark of the Covenant and it is hidden in the holy city of Axum in an Orthodox church.

Another widespread version states that when King Nebuchadnezzar II's troops entered Jerusalem in 586 BC. C, they seized the Ark and it finally disappeared.

Some researchers maintain that this relic remains hidden somewhere in the city of Jerusalem.

The mystery of the Ark has piqued the interest of the film industry

In this sense, the film "In Search of the Lost Ark" is an adventure story in which a teacher from archeology, Indiana Jones, follows the track of the Ark of the Covenant and has to face all kinds of dangers to find it.

Photos Fotolia - Alefbet26 / Archivist