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The ark of the covenant is the most important part of the tabernacle that the Israelites construct in the desert, in accordance with God’s command and design. It is basically a large chest containing the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The ark of the covenant sits within the tabernacle’s most holy place, behind the curtain. The ark is made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. At either end of the ark is a golden cherub, and a golden mercy seat is on top, where God meets with the people. The ark can be carried on poles as Israel journeys through the desert.
Ark of the Covenant Quotes in Exodus
The Exodus quotes below are all either spoken by Ark of the Covenant or refer to Ark of the Covenant. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 25
Quotes
Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold […] You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.
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Ark of the Covenant Term Timeline in Exodus
The timeline below shows where the term Ark of the Covenant appears in Exodus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 25
...gives Moses specific instructions for the building of the tabernacle. First, they should build an ark out of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. They should also make golden rings and poles...
(full context)
...cherubim should be facing each other. The mercy seat should be on top of the ark. God will meet with the people, speaking to them from above the mercy seat and...
(full context)
Chapter 26
...worked into it, should be hung on four acacia wood pillars overlaid with gold. The ark of the covenant should be placed within the curtain. The curtain will serve to separate...
(full context)
Chapter 30
...make a holy anointing oil. He must take this oil and anoint the tent, the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, the altar of incense, and all the utensils....
(full context)
Chapter 31
...two artisans, Bezalel and Oholiab, to make all the things God has commanded, from the ark of the covenant to the vestments and the incense. God has given these men “divine...
(full context)
Chapter 37
Bezalel makes the ark out of acacia wood, overlaid with gold; the mercy seat with cherubim on either side;...
(full context)
Chapter 40
...he must set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. It must contain the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the altar of...
(full context)
...spreads the tent over it, and covers the tent. He puts the covenant inside the ark, puts poles on the ark, and sets the mercy seat above it. He brings the...
(full context)
