CategoryDoctrine / Covenant Object
Modern Equivalentsacred covenant chest; symbol of God’s presence.
KJV Word TypeTheological object / covenant symbol
DefinitionA sacred chest containing the testimony of the covenant and associated with God’s presence among Israel.
Key Verses"And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee." (Exodus 25:21); "And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain." (1 Samuel 4:11)
KJV Usage Note“Ark” here means a sacred chest, not Noah’s vessel; the phrase points to God’s covenant presence and testimony among Israel.
Common MisunderstandingIt is not Noah’s ark; this ark is a sacred chest connected with God’s covenant presence and testimony.
EtymologyFrom Latin arca ("chest, box").