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Although the Ark of the Covenant was said to have been built at enormous expense, to support the mercy seat on which God sat while he travelled with the Israelites and to keep the sacred tablets of the ten commandments, Psalm 132 says this most sacred artefact of the Hebrews was found abandoned in a field.
2 Samuel chapter 6 describes how David recovered the Ark and moved it to its place in the tabernacle. The author had no doubt that God was still seated 'between the cherubim', with frequent references such as David dancing 'before the Lord', and God blessing a household for hosting the ark. So, the Ark had been lost once, but found and recovered. If it really did exist, it must have been lost yet again, but there is no record of such an event.
Numerous legends have sprung up to explain the loss of such an important artefact but, if it really did exist, we do not know where it is now.
No one knows for sure, despite questionable claims to the contrary. Even 1800 years ago, the Talmud-sages discussed this question (Yoma 53b). The Talmud (ibid.) states two opinions in this matter. According to one opinion, the Ark of the Covenant was carried off by the Babylonians when they destroyed the First Temple.
According to the second opinion, around 35 years before the First Destruction, King Josiah (Yoshiah) hid the Ark in a secret chamber constructed for this purpose, since it was already apparent that the Temple wouldn't last much longer. The Prophets had been foretelling the destruction of the Temple for some time.
Tradition states that when he built the Temple, King Solomon prepared a hidden shaft and room deep underneath the Temple Mount for just such an eventuality (Maimonides, in the Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 4:1).
The second opinion is the accepted one (Maimonides, ibid, 4:1-2). However, it is possible to account for both opinions, since all of the Temple vessels had duplicates which were made in order to be used in case the original vessel got lost or defiled (Talmud, Hagigah 26b). In addition, there was a second ark which had been used before the Tabernacle was built (see Rashi commentary on Deuteronomy 10:1, based on midrash Tanchuma). We may therefore postulate that the Babylonians carried into captivity an empty duplicate Ark which had been placed in the Holy of Holies after King Josiah concealed the original.See also the Related Links.
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When was the Ark of the Covenant built?
Answer The Ark of the Covenant was built the same year the Israelites left Egypt in the Exodus, dated as 1446BC [Ussher] . This was the same year that God gave Moses the 10 Commandments, and the Ark of the Covenant was built to put the stone tablets inside.
How many people did it take to carry the ark of the covenant?
It took four people to carry the Ark of the Covenant. There were rods on two sides of the Ark. A Levite picked it up from each corner.
How many different arks are mentioned in the Bible?
I know two Arks mentioned in the bible. Noah and his Ark, and The Ark of the covenant.
How did Samuel recapture the ark of the covenant and what verse of the bible is it in?
Read I Samuel Chapters five and six and you will see that Samuel did not recapture the ark of the covenant. The Philistines brought it back to the Israelites when God punished them for stealing it.
What did Moses do with the bronze serpent when he was building the covenant of the ark?
He tied it to a tall pole and let it hang from there.
What is the purpose of the ark?
There were two arks , Noahs ark and the ark of the covenant.The ark of the covenant was to carry the ten commandments. Today, the ark is a cabinet in synagogues, normally at the front of the sanctuary, where the Torahs are kept.
What the ark of covenant was use for?
The ark of the covenant was used for the ten commandments!!!
Is the Ark of the Covenant Jewish?
The concept of the Ark of the Covenant is a Jewish concept.
What was in the holy of holies in Jerusalem?
The Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Holy of Holies.
Where is the ark in Kentucky?
Kentucky and the ark of the covenant
What was the wooden box where the tablets of the ten commandments were kept?
The holy ark was the Ark of the Covenant in which the two Stone Tablets with the Ten Commandments were held. It was a heavy wooden box covered with gold, with a gold lid. Exodus ch.25.See also the Related Link.Where is the ark of the Covenant?
What was the name of the ark where the ten commandment were kept?
Ark of the Covenant (Aron Habrit in Hebrew).
Why did King David dance like a commoner before the Ark of the Covenant?
He danced with joy when the Ark of the covenant was brought to the tabernacle.
Did aliens take the ark of the covenant?
For someone looking for an explanation of why the Ark of the Covenant does not now exist, it would be far easier to accept that the Ark was a myth and did not really exist, than to create imaginative explanations around aliens. We can be sure that aliens did not take the Ark of the Covenant.
What is meant by the covenant-ark between Israel and God?
The holy ark was the Ark of the Covenant in which the two Stone Tablets with the Ten Commandments were held. It was a heavy wooden box covered with gold, with a gold lid. Exodus ch.25.See also:Where is the ark of the Covenant?
Is the ark of the covenant lost?
yes
What is a name of an artifact?
The Ark of the Covenant.
