Ark of the Covenant; It is a gold-plated wooden chest containing the original stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments mentioned in the Exodus book of the Torah. Mentioned in the Torah, the Bible and the Qur’an, this holy chest is considered one of the greatest mysteries of all time. The location of the Ark of the Covenant, which was kept in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem for a long time, is not known today. The Ark has been sought after by Jews and the Knights Templar for centuries.
In addition to the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written; Hz. A staff belonging to the Prophet Aaron, a vessel of power, and also the Prophet mentioned in the Qur’an. Moses and St. There are some belongings from Harun’s families. The chest, which was built in line with Allah’s will and in accordance with his orders, is considered sacred by the Jews. It is one of the most important holly of the Jews. Also, in the Exodus chapter of the Bible, God “I will meet you there, among the angels above the Ark of the Covenant, above the Cover of the Atonement, and I will give you commandments for the Israelites.” he said. For this reason, in Judaism, the Ark of the Covenant is the place where God is physically present and is of great importance.
Making the Ark of the Covenant
The oldest accounts of the Ark of the Covenant are based on the Torah. According to belief, St. The Prophet Moses and the Jews stay at the foot of Mount Sinai, which came out of Egypt. God, He told the Prophet Moses in all details to make a chest made of acacia wood, covered with gold, and depicting 2 angels on it. Hz. Moses makes the holy ark as described in the Prophet. Thus, the chest becomes the most sacred object for the Jews. In time, Hz. It is placed in the great temple, the Temple of Solomon, built by the Prophet Solomon in Jerusalem.
B.C. There are no records or information about the ballot box since 587. Because on this date, Jerusalem was occupied by the Babylonian army. At that time, the Temple of Solomon was looted and the Jews were exiled. What happened to the Ark of the Covenant after that time has remained a mystery. Since that day, numerous allegations have been made about the location of the searched chest. However, there is no clear information about his presence or whereabouts.
The Ark of the Covenant is mentioned in the Qur’an, in verse 248 of Surat al-Baqara; ”The prophets told them; He said, “The sign of his reign is that the coffin (ark) will come to you, containing a tranquility from your Lord and a remnant of what the families of Moses and Aaron have left, and carried by the angels.” If you truly believe, know that there is a sign for you in this.”
Features of the Ark of the Covenant
In Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Torah, the ark is about Hz. It is said that it was built by the Prophet Moses alone. In the old texts, the way the chest was made is described up to its dimensions. The chest is 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, 1.5 cubits high. Cubit is an ancient unit of length, equal to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. After the chest was made, it was covered with gold. Gold rings are fixed to the 4 corners of the chest and 2 arms are made of acacia wood for easy carrying. A golden lid was placed on the chest, and the depiction of 2 angels waiting at the gate of Heaven was placed on the lid.
In ancient texts, it is told that those who touched the Ark of the Covenant somehow died or fell ill. For this reason, it is told in the Torah that only Levites can touch this chest and that they can carry it with special clothes. According to the texts, the science of this business was taught only to the Levites. No one other than them should touch the ballot box. According to Judaism, Levites are the descendants of Levi from the Israelites.
After its construction, the ark was moved from place to place in the desert with the Jews for 40 years. During the migrations, the covers were closed on the chest, which was carried by the Levites by holding their arms. Layers of leather and blue fabrics were covered on the chest, which was hidden during transportation. When the Jews settled in a place, they were hidden in a separate room in a holy tent.
