The Ark of Covenant is a significant historical artifact in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. For hundreds of years, jews are looking for it. But why is it significant or just any other reason to create controversy?
The world is full of eccentric mysteries and controversies. Some are tied to various religions, meanwhile, some are culturally correct. One of the most searched and elaborated mysteries is the Ark of Covenant. It is mentioned in almost all dominating religions in the world. Torah, Bible, and Qur’an, these holy books testify this ark. And most interestingly the significance is almost the same.
Ark in Hebrew is equal to a Chest or a box. This ark was made by Moses or Hazrat Moosa (AS) at the command of Allah Almighty. The Ark was a box with the dimensions of two-and-a-half cubits in length, by one-and-a-half cubits in height, by one-and-a-half cubits in width (a cubit is about 18 inches). It was constructed of acacia wood, and was plated with pure gold, inside and out. On the bottom of the box, four gold rings were attached, through which two poles, also made of acacia and coated in gold, were put.
The family of Kehath, of the tribe of Levi, would carry the ark on their shoulders using these poles.
Covering the box was the kapporet, a pure gold covering that was two-and-a-half by one-and-a-half cubits. Attached to the kapporet were two sculpted Cherubs, also made of pure gold. The two Cherubs faced one another, and their wings, which wrapped around their bodies, touched between them.
Contradictions in different religions
According to all holy books, this ark was very sacred to beholders. When Jews or Bani Israeel Tried to escape Egypt, they put this box in the sea and it parted ways. Other than that they carry this chest to every battle and important events to get victory and blessings. Interesting part is the common person is not even allowed to touch it. Touching it means instant death according to their literature. It was in the holiest temple of Jerusalem and only priest or rabbi was allowed to visit it once a year.
According to the Book of Exodus, the Ark contained the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to the New Testament Book of Hebrews, it also contained Aaron’s rod and a pot of manna. And according to Islam, it contains the first tablet of the Torah, a pot that used to contain Man o Salwa, Hazrat Moosa’s (AS) stick, and a few other personal items of Hazrat Haroon (AS), etc.
Jews considered this chest as help from Allah and blessings. They use to pray in front of it and expect victory because of this box. They consider that if they hold this box for long, they will rule the world. However, if they lost it, they will be destroyed.
Also See: Ghar e Hira : Beholder of Islam for 1400 years
How Ark of Covenant disappeared?
In the time of Hazrat Dawood (AS) or David start making a temple to keep this ark in the safest and holiest place. Before that this chest was kept in the sacred chest of the tribe. But due to mortality, the completion of the temple went up to Hazrat Suleman (AS) or Solomon’s reign. That’s why it is known as Temple of Solomon, or sacred king Solomon’s Shrine.
After the constant wrongdoings of Jews, Babylon’s King Bakht Nasar attacked Jerusalem and destroy every building possible. He took the chest and throw it in the dirtiest place possible. After 70 years the brutal king allows jews to go back and rebuild the temple which they call second temple.
But when Bakht Nasr attacked Jerusalem, it is said that due to some wisdom, Allah hid it somewhere in the world. Until now the Ark of Covenant is disappeared. Jews, Christians, and many archeologists are trying to find it for centuries. But other than wrong intel and wastage of funds and resources. They could not find the ark so far.
Places that claimed to have ark
Following places claims or rumors to have ark but until now it is not confirm. Other than that they do not allow to search and clarify it.
- Rosslyn Chapel
- Mountain Tsurugi
- Temple of Edfu
- Antakya
- Locations In the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Chartres Cathedral
- Southern Africa
- Mountain Nebo
- Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion
- Temple Mount
The original site of the Temple complex sits on bedrock, with many tunnels dug into the rock. However, the Temple Mount (with the shrine of the Dome of the Rock) was placed in charge of the Mufti (the Muslim authority) during the last days of the British mandate in 1948. The Muslim authorities forbid any archaeological excavation in and around the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. While digging a tunnel in 1981 from the Western Wall under the Muslim Quarter, a doorway into the complex was discovered. When this was leaked to the press, all excavations were halted. The Temple Mount remains one of the most sensitive areas for both Jews and Muslims.
Why jews are finding Ark of Covenant
The only remnant of the Ark in Jewish life today is the Holy Ark in which Torah scrolls are kept in synagogues. These Arks often are decorated with copies of the Tablets, reminiscent of the contents of the actual Ark of ancient times. The Ark itself plays no role in Jewish life today. Nonetheless, it remains a potent symbol of the Jewish peoples’ past, and of the messianic era many believe is waiting in the future.
Ironically, the Ark is most famous today as the subject of the 1981 film “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The movie tells of a hero’s attempt to prevent the Ark from falling into the hands of the Nazis, who would harness its power for evil. While there is no evidence of Hitler ever having had an interest in the Ark, the movie does an admirable job of capturing the mystique of one of the worlds’ most ancient unsolved mysteries.