Within the holy Bible, the Book of Exodus states that two stone tablets which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. To ensure protection of the tablets and to allow them to be transported, a wooden chest consisting of elegant decorations was constructed. The chest was two feet wide, three-and-a-half feet long, with two poles attached through gold rings on its sides. The lid which was referred to as the atonement cover, or ‘mercy seat’ had two carved angels which sat on top. Accompanying Moses and the Israelites on their search for the promised land, the chest brought victory for them wherever they went. When they established Jerusalem, King Solomon constructed the First Temple, which is where the sacred box was kept. This supreme holy chest is known as the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had two golden cherubim on top, with their wings spread out to cover the Ark. The Ark was carried by poles, which were inserted through rings on the sides of the Ark. It was considered so holy that only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies and touch the Ark.
The Ark was believed to have great power and was used by the Israelites in various ways. For example, it was carried into battle as a means of divine protection, and it was also believed to have the power to heal the sick.
Not one single artifact is associated with more legends of treasure, unexplained prosperity, and international interest than this magnificent chest. The Ark disappeared from history after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in the year 70 CE. It is not known what happened to the Ark, and there are many theories about its whereabouts. Some people believe that it is hidden somewhere in Jerusalem, waiting to be discovered, while others believe that it was destroyed. Regardless of its current location, the Ark of the Covenant remains an important symbol of the faith and history of the ancient Israelites.
The Jewish faction who composed the Dead Sea Scrolls could have buried the Ark in the desert of Jordan before they were invaded. It also been suggested that the Cathars, which was an early Christian group, possibly hid the Ark within an ancient church at in France before being eradicated by the Catholic Church.
King Arthur has also been associated with the Ark’s history, while many enthusiasts assert that it was removed from the Holy Land by the Knights Templar. It is also claimed that it may have been hidden on Oak Island, or at a chapel in Rosslyn. Out-of-the-box thinkers suspect the progeny of the Knights Templar are indeed the Freemasons, who possess the Ark under their management. Many arcane tales have features involving the Ark of the Covenant.
One of the most commemorated theories linking the Ark to a real artifact focuses on western Africa. A prevalent legend throughout Ethiopia, claims that King Solomon had impregnated the Queen of Sheba. Their child, Menelik, meaning ‘son of the wiseman’, journeyed to Jerusalem when he was 20 years old to study in his father’s footsteps. After a year, the priests of Solomon had become envious of Menelik and demanded he return home to the Queen. King Solomon embraced this request but declared all other elders firt-born sons accompany Menelik. One named Azarius, who was son of the High Priest, Zaldok, looted the Ark and took it to Africa. Menelik declared their success was of supernal will and established the ‘Second Jerusalem’ at Aksum in Ethiopia. Today, the Ark is said to be stored within the ancient church of St Mary of Zion and was brought out every January to celebrate Timkat. Timkat is the ritualistic reenactment of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river.
Due to the instable atmosphere, the Ark has been hidden away and is cared for by a dedicated protector, who is the only one allowed to witness the true nature of the sacred chest. Surely, there are several notions to support these suppositions. For instance, Ethiopians are one of the few sects in Africa who practice Christianity, and it was ruled that the Ethiopian emperor is a direct descendant of King Solomon himself. Ethiopians are confident of their role in the Ark’s history, but with so many legends contending to disclose the Ark’s final resting location, it may be near impossible to determine the exact one. However, many religious groups believe the exact presence of the Ark of the Covenant will come to light when the proper time is right.
There are also many conspiracy theories about the Ark, including the idea that it contains some sort of ancient technology or power that could be used for great good or great evil. Some people believe that the Ark could be used as a weapon of mass destruction or as a source of unlimited energy.
Despite the many legends and theories surrounding the Ark of the Covenant, it remains a mysterious and enigmatic symbol of the ancient Israelites. Its true whereabouts and significance may never be fully understood, but its place in history and in the hearts of many people around the world is secure.