Referring to this passage: **1 Kings 6:23-27,** > 23 Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each > ten cubits high. 24 One wing of the cherub was five cubits, and the other > wing of the cherub five cubits: ten cubits from the tip of one wing to > the tip of the other. 25 And the other cherub was ten cubits; both > cherubim were of the same size and shape. 26 The height of one cherub was > ten cubits, and so was the other cherub. 27 Then he set the cherubim > inside the inner room; and they stretched out the wings of the > cherubim so that the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of > the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each > other in the middle of the room. A cubit is said to be 18-20.4 inches. 10 cubits at 18" would be 15 feet. 10 cubits at 20.4" would be 17 feet. In numerous pictures of the cherubim on the internet , they are usually shown to be small, fitting entirely within the bounds of the dimensions of the ark, which is 2 cubits by 1.5 cubits. The cherubim should be 15 feet tall, minimum! The Most Holy Place was a 20-cubit cube in shape (1 Kings 6:16-20 ). According to verse 27, the wings touched the wall on either side, yet the dimensions given in verses 24-25 indicate the wingspans are less than that size. (Still, at a 10-cubit wingspan, that would be HEAVY to carry!) The directions for the cherubs indicate only two wings apiece. If the wings were stretched out to touch the walls, how do they also touch each other "in the middle of the room"? I wonder if this touching is so because the cherubim are in the middle of the room, so if the wings project out their backs, that's also where they are touching each other per cherubim. How do the wings touch each end of the Most Holy Place walls that are 20 cubits apart?

Please note, I am not asking what was inside the Ark of the Covenant (question asked in June 2013) but what happened to Aaron's budding staff and the jar of manna by the time the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple built by Solomon. Exodus 16:33-34 says the jar of manna was placed in the Ark in front of the stone tablets. Numbers 17:10 says Aaron's budding staff was placed in front of/before the Ark of the Covenant. 1 Kings 8:9 and 2 Chronicles 5:10 both say that by the time the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the temple built by Solomon there was nothing inside the Ark except for the two stone tablets of the testimony/covenant. However, Hebrews 9:1-4 says the Ark contained the two stone tablets (the terms of the covenant), Aaron's rod (or staff) and the gold jar containing manna. What happened to Aaron's budding staff and the gold jar of manna? Were they lost or were they stolen? And why does the writer of Hebrews mention them?

I recently heard a pastor building his sermon around the 'fact' that Obed-Edom was a Gentile (a precursor to Acts 15:16 - the full inclusion of Gentiles), who became a Levite after the 'possession' of the ark. On the other hand, most commentators claim that he was a Levite from the beginning, though a Gittite obviously being a Philistine, the same camp that Goliath the enemy of David came from. Has anyone studied this in-depth and come to a balanced conclusion? 2 Sam 6:10 >So David would not remove unto him the ark of Yahweh, unto the city of David, - but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the **Gittite**. Barnes: >Obed-edom was a Levite of the family of Merari, being 1Ch_15:18-24; 1Ch_16:38 a son of Jeduthun [*Barnes does not mention the preceding verse 1Chr 13:13 where Obed-Edom was still called a Gittite while he received the ark*], who was a Merarite. [...] He is called a Gittite perhaps from Gath-Rimmon, in Manasseh, which belonged to the Kohathites Jos_21:25. Marriage with a Kohathite, or some other cause, would account for his dwelling in a Kohathite city. Geneva Bible: >Who was a Levite, and had dwelt in Gittaim, (1Ch_15:21). Gill: >... this man was a Levite, as **appears** from his being afterwards appointed to be doorkeeper for the ark, and to sing praise before it, and so a proper person to commit the care of it to, 1 Chronicles 15:18; he is called a Gittite, either because he had sojourned in Gath some time, or rather because he was of Gathrimmon, a city of the Levites, Joshua 21:24. KingComments: >Later we see that Obed-edom gets a special service as gatekeeper at the temple (1Ch_26:4-8). He is a Levite, but born in a city of the Philistines. **His name means ‘servant of Edom’**, that is to say servant of the flesh, the sinful nature, someone who does the will of the flesh (Eph_2:3). But in him we also see what G-d can do in such a person and what His grace can make of him. Matthew Henry: >He lodged the ark in a good house, the house of Obed-edom a Levite, which happened to be near the place where this disaster happened, and there, (1.) It was kindly entertained and welcomed, and continued there three months, 2Sa_6:10, 2Sa_6:11. Obed-edom knew what slaughter the ark had made among the Philistines that imprisoned it and the Bethshemites that looked into it.

Revelation 11:19-12:1 shows that Mary is in the Temple. What is her role here? Is it similar to the Old Ark of the Covenant, or is she there interceding to her Son?

> *1 Kings 8:9 (NIV)* There was ***nothing*** in the ark ***except*** the > ***two stone tablets*** that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of > Egypt. > > *Hebrews 9:3-4 (NIV)* Behind the second curtain was a room called the > Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the > gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark ***contained*** the gold > jar of ***manna***, Aaron’s ***staff*** that had budded, and the > ***stone tablets*** of the covenant. 1 Kings 8:9 says that inside the Ark of the Covenant there was only the two stone tablets of Moses. But Hebrews 9:3-4 mentions three things, the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Keeping in mind that the Ark of the Covenant was no more during the time of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews simply recalled from the Torah or from tradition about the contents of the Ark. In fact, even the writer never saw the Ark with his own eyes, let alone what was inside. Regarding the pot of manna, > *Exodus 16:33-34 (KJV)* And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put > an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up ***before the Lord***, to > be kept for your generations. As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron > laid it up ***before the Testimony***, to be kept. This verse only says "before the Lord/Testimony" and not *inside* the Ark. Regarding the staff of Aaron, > *Numbers 17:10 (NIV)* The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff > ***in front of the ark of the covenant*** law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so > that they will not die.” This verse also says that the staff of Aaron was placed in front of the Ark. **Questions:** 1. Do these verses from the Old Testament contradict the Epistle to the Hebrews? 2. What exactly was kept inside the Ark of the Covenant?

When were Aaron's budded rod and the golden jar of manna still with the ark? When Solomon built his temple the only thing in the ark was the stone tablets. But if the Philistines took them, how would the Philistines able to open the ark if you died touching it?

Exodus 25:10 says: > 10 “Have them make an ark[b] of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. **My question is**: Given that - 2.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 = 5.5 cubits, which is half the measure of 5, 3 and 3 (which are equal to 11 when added), and - 11 being a Triangular number that is equal to 66, and the sum of the Ark that is 66 also, what is the important significance of 66 other than its being found in the middle of 62 and 70 in Daniel 9? The only explanation I can come up with is that the five book of Moses, which has 187 chapters in total, are the knowledge and the wisdom of the hand of G-D and the Holy fire or the burning bush, and any women can't approach the Holy Ark or be in the temple where the Ark is present other than a person who is selected by the Creator. Hebrew alphabets have 22 letters, which is 11×2 and the triangular number is 23 × 11 = 253. 23 × 11 - 6 × 11 = 187. 5     9     13 17    21    25 29    33    37 41    45    49 53    57    61    17+45=62   21+45=66    25+45=70   41+21=62   45+21=66    49+21=70 62+66+70=198      66+66+66=198 62+70=132   66÷11=6 66÷11=6  66÷11=6 132÷2=66        11+6=17  11+6=17  11+6=17 17+41=58   21+45=66    25+49=74 5+53=58     9+57=66    13+61=74 58+66+74=198  58+74=132  132÷2=66 66+66+66=198  66÷11=6  66÷11=6  66÷11=6 11+6=17  11+6=17  11+6=17 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11=6×11 An angel goes to a woman who will be pregnant and that her son will have an 11'th hour ministry and he saw saw dreams that came to pass.

I've heard several references in History and Discovery channel type TV programs that say that the Bible talks about the Ark of the Covenant miraculously flying. Not to mention there was a line about that in Indiana Jones. I am not aware of any Bible reference that says any such thing. Is there some verse I'm missing? If not, is there some other ancient source -- the Talmud or Josephus or something -- that makes such a statement? Or is this just some crazy idea that came out of nowhere?

Both Orthodox and Catholic Christians believe and affirm that the Blessed Virgin Mary is the ***ark of the new covenant***, but is there a scriptural basis for this and if so where do we see this in the Old or the New Testament?

The Ark of the Covenant was presumably located in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. when Titus conquered the city and destroyed the Temple. Is there any historical indication of what happened to the Ark of the Covenant and the other items inside the Temple at that time, such as Aaron's budding staff, the two tablets of the testimony (10 Commandments), the Brazen Altar, and the Table of Bread? Were the Jews able to hide these things or were they captured? *(Assuming, of course, that Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark was not a documentary.)*

> Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (NIV) After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “***Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant*** of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. This verse indicates that the Torah was placed ***beside*** the Ark of the Covenant and stood there as a witness. But this Wikipedia mentions the Torah was once kept inside the Ark. Was there any chance ever that the Torah was kept inside the Ark? Is there any verse supporting it? *(If the information in Wikipedia is not credible, someone must update it)* ***Note:** Readers should not be confused between Torah (book) and the stone tablets (10 Commandments). The question here is about the Book, not the tablets.*

One of the strongest scriptural basis for the Catholic Marian dogmas is the [Catholic interpretation of Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant](https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/mary-the-ark-of-the-new-covenant) , appealing to the Glory of the LORD which filled the tabernacle in [Ex 40:34-35, Num 9:18,22](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex+40%3A34-35%3B+Nm+9%3A18%2C+22&version=ESV) **as typology for** the "overshadow" in [Luke 1:35](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1%3A35&version=ESV) . The article has tables showing the elements of comparison between the Old and the New Ark of the Covenants, justifying the typology. I'm looking for the **Earliest** Church Father(s) writing or a council document that offers a similar typological interpretation, preferably more definitive (i.e. a doctrinal document) than the homiletical analogies of Athanasius (c. 296-373) or Gregory the Wonder Worker (c. 213-270) mentioned in the *Catholic.com* magazine article above. The answer must include a reference to the writing, or at least a quotation by a later Church Father.

Is there any extra-Biblical evidence that the Ark of the Covenant resided at Shiloh during the time of 1 Samuel 4?

As the title asks, does the Bible indicate when, where, or how the ark of the covenant finally disappeared? If not, do we have any likely clues?

Catholics believe that Mary is the Ark New Testament and they believe it on a scriptural basis (source ).This is the same stance Orthodoxy has (source ). ---------- **Do Protestants accept the similarity between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant?** **If yes, then, that would mean agreeing with Catholic (and Orthodox) interpretation.** **If not, why not?** ---------- The following are the similarities between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant as seen in light of Biblical typology (Catholic Interpretation): The Ark ------- - The Ark of the Covenant was overshadowed (Ex. 40:34-35) - David was rejoicing in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam. 6:16) - David said, Why did the Ark of the Lord visit me? (2 Sam. 6:9) Mary ---- - Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:35) - John the Baptist leaped for joy in the presence of Mary (Lk. 1:41) - Elizabeth said, Why did the mother of the Lord visit me?( Lk. 1:43) Also, the Greek word ἐπισκιάσει was the same Greek word used in the overshadowing of the Ark ( Exodus 40:35 LXX).In the entire Scriptures, only Mary and the Ark were ascribed of that verb. ---- **Protestants of different denominations are encourage to answer.**

Many people find a short passage in the Old Testament to be both disturbing and very peculiar; that being 1st Samuel 6:19, > and He (God) smote (killed) the men of Beth-she-mesh, because they > had looked into the Ark of the Lord, even He smote of the people > 50,070 men. The disturbing question is why God would kill so many men for simply looking into the Ark. It seems to be a very peculiar thing to do. One thing is obvious, God is using this event and recording it in His Word as a historical parable. A teaching lesson with a spiritual meaning. What is that meaning? I am not attempting to ask God's motivation for killing these men; but I am asking, what God is teaching through this story? Are there different interpretations of this lesson between the different denominations of Christianity?

In [Revelation Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsiDukXIeVY) , Jesus is portrayed as sitting on "Heaven's Mercy Seat" at God's right hand. I'm trying to get a handle on what that is. (At 1:07, we praise 'Him who sits on Heaven's Mercy Seat" At 3:22, Jesus is explicitly identified) My understanding is that the Mercy Seat is where God resides, and I think it might even be the Ark of the Covenant - but if that is the case, it seems as though it should be associated more with God the Father than God the Son. Is this just a case of Phillippians 2 (At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow) or is there more? Or, am I just misinterpreting "Him who sits on Heaven's Mercy Seat?" So, biblically then, what exactly is the Mercy Seat? Where can I read about it, and more importantly, what does it mean for Jesus to be sitting on it?

In I Chronicles 13, why was David upset? Was it mainly upset about Uzzah's death because of the amount of responsibility that came with being God's anointed and being responsible for the Ark of the Covenant?

What exactly is the meaning of an "ark" that applies to a boat and that thing that melts off the Nazi's faces in the first Indiana Jones movie?

Is it possible to find the Ark of the Covenant? According to some reports, it is hidden in a cave in the Dumghe Mountains in Africa; other report mention a Lake Qum. Where this lake could be? The real question however is not where, but why? Would you know why the Ark of the Covenant is hidden?