Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hebrews 9:4),
“ark of the
testimony”
(Exodus 25:22).
It was made of
acacia or shittim
wood, a cubit and
a half broad and
high and two
cubits long, and
covered all over
with the purest
gold. Its upper
surface or lid, the
mercy-seat, was
surrounded with
a rim of gold; and
on each of the
ARK OF THE COVENANT two sides were
two gold rings, in
which were placed two gold-covered poles by which the ark could be
carried (Numbers 7:9; 10:21; 4:5,19, 20; 1 Kings 8:3, 6). Over the ark, at
the two extremities, were two cherubim, with their faces turned toward
each other (Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89). Their outspread wings over the
top of the ark formed the throne of God, while the ark itself was his
footstool (Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9). The ark was deposited in the “holy
of holies,” and was so placed that one end of the poles by which it was
carried touched the veil which separated the two apartments of the
tabernacle (1 Kings 8:8). The two tables of stone which constituted the
“testimony” or evidence of God’s covenant with the people
(Deuteronomy 31:26), the “pot of manna” (Exodus 16:33), and “Aaron’s
rod that budded” (Numbers 17:10), were laid up in the ark (Hebrews 9:4).
(See TABERNACLE) The ark and the sanctuary were “the beauty of
Israel” (Lamentations 2:1). During the journeys of the Israelites the ark
was carried by the priests in advance of the host (Numbers 4:5, 6;
10:33-36; Psalm 68:1; 132:8). It was borne by the priests into the bed of
the Jordan, which separated, opening a pathway for the whole of the host
to pass over (Joshua 3:15, 16; 4:7, 10, 11, 17, 18). It was borne in the