When was the Ark of Covenant last in Temple?

[patrick457]

I see your point.

Since most would believe a low likelihood that it is the actual Ark, given Axum’s remote location and non-Jewish roots, it might prove the ideal location to protect the original Ark … until the new Kingdom arrives.

I used to believe this the case … until the Church convinced me that Mary is the new Ark … and the original was taken back to heaven.

Still … I would like to see what’s inside that building structure in Ethiopia. To see, but not to touch. We know what once happened to a Hebrew layperson who innocently touched.

Good thoughts.

To correct you a bit there, Ethiopia actually prides itself as being Jewish before it became Christian. Perhaps you’ve heard about the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews; the name means “House of Israel” in Hebrew and Ge’ez)?

 

[patrick457]

If I could add:

As for seeing the Ark, that would also be impossible.

Even in the Old Testament, the only ones who could see the Ark itself was the High Priest (once every year) and those appointed to cover the Ark with veils (first with the the veil which separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle, then with the hide of an obscure animal, named tachash in Hebrew, and finally with a cloth of blue wool) when it was taken out. Since Solomon built his Temple the Ark has stayed inside permanently until it ‘disappeared’ however, that reduces the only one who could view the Ark itself with the High Priest alone.

Yes, contrary to what George Lucas would have you believe, the Israelites, not even the Levites who carry it (since it was veiled very carefully) never saw the Ark itself as it was ‘veiled’ or ‘hidden’ from their view.

 

[BRB]

If I could add:

As for seeing the Ark, that would also be impossible.

Yes, contrary to what George Lucas would have you believe, the Israelites, not even the Levites who carry it (since it was veiled very carefully) never saw the Ark itself as it was ‘veiled’ or ‘hidden’ from their view.

Well there appears to be some exceptions to the rule…

The builder’s of the Ark … before the Big 10, Aaron’s rod, etc were placed in it.
The heathen [Philistines] were allowed to view it w/o instant death. They did get plagues upon them until they returned the Ark to Hebrews.
The Hebrews were allowed to see its contents w/o death … the stone tablets and staff of Aaron.
Then, the Ethiopians … if they have it … have not died upon seeing it.

Still , if you find it, call me once you have viewed it ‘safely’.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

If I could add:

As for seeing the Ark, that would also be impossible.

Even in the Old Testament, the only ones who could see the Ark itself was the High Priest (once every year) and those appointed to cover the Ark with veils (first with the the veil which separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Tabernacle, then with the hide of an obscure animal, named tachash in Hebrew, and finally with a cloth of blue wool) when it was taken out. Since Solomon built his Temple the Ark has stayed inside permanently until it ‘disappeared’ however, that reduces the only one who could view the Ark itself with the High Priest alone.

Yes, contrary to what George Lucas would have you believe, the Israelites, not even the Levites who carry it (since it was veiled very carefully) never saw the Ark itself as it was ‘veiled’ or ‘hidden’ from their view.

I recall reading someplace, many years ago, that the carrying rods were left in the Ark, and they were visible from some spot in the Temple. [Not sure on that. It was a long time ago and memories get fuzzy.]

 

[patrick457]

I recall reading someplace, many years ago, that the carrying rods were left in the Ark, and they were visible from some spot in the Temple. [Not sure on that. It was a long time ago and memories get fuzzy.]

Correct. The poles are a permanent fixture of the Ark, never to be removed (cf. Exodus 25:15). The poles may have been long enough since their ends could be seen when the door of the Holy of Holies was opened in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8:8), which may imply that the poles touched the veil that hung in the Tabernacle, as Solomon’s Temple was quite larger than it. It may have also served a convenient purpose during the Tabernacle period: priests were assured of the Ark’s presence without having to look at the Ark itself when they see ‘bumps’ in the veil of the Holy of Holies!

 

[patrick457]

Well there appears to be some exceptions to the rule…

The builder’s of the Ark … before the Big 10, Aaron’s rod, etc were placed in it.
The heathen [Philistines] were allowed to view it w/o instant death. They did get plagues upon them until they returned the Ark to Hebrews.
The Hebrews were allowed to see its contents w/o death … the stone tablets and staff of Aaron.
Then, the Ethiopians … if they have it … have not died upon seeing it.

Still , if you find it, call me once you have viewed it ‘safely’.

Yep, Moses, Bezalel and everyone else involved in making the Ark and the other furniture were exceptions to the rule, but that was because they were the ones making them (how could you create something you could not see?). And that was before the Ark itself was consecrated for use.

I doubt that I would view the Ark ‘safely’ though; I haven’t got any clearance for doing so.