What Items Were in the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant signified the presence of God. This large chest, made of acacia wood, was built to hold three items of religious importance. Some religious scholars have claimed that they have uncovered the location of the Ark, they have produced no evidence. However, archaeologists are still searching for the Ark of the Covenant, in hopes of unlocking its contents and providing concrete evidence of our faith.

Some scholars say the original Ten Commandment tablets are within the Ark of the Covenant. According to Bibical texts, God wrote the Ten Commandments on two tablets and instructed Moses to take them to the people and place them into the Ark of the Covenant. Exodus, chapter three, refers to the Ten Commandments as "The Law."

Aaron’s rod is also inside the Ark of the Covenant. According to the Book of Numbers, chapter 17, God made Aaron’s rod bud with blossoms to demonstrate to the tribes of Israel that Aaron is supposed to be in control of the priesthood. That demonstration convinced people.

When the Israelites were led out of Egypt by Moses, they wandered in the desert for 40 years. God miraculously provided manna to sustain them during the forty years. Manna is a starchy food included inside the Ark of the Covenant. The manna is within a golden pot, inside the Ark.

The faithful believe that the Ark of the Covenant has supernatural powers, provided by God. All About Archaeology states that the Ark used to go ahead of the Israelites whenever they traveled. They placed the Ark of the Covenant inside the Tabernacle that Moses built, as instructed by God.