Where is the Ark of the Covenant now?

According to church leaders, the Ark of the Covenant has for centuries been closely guarded in Aksum at the Church of St. Mary of Zion.

britannica.com - Where Is the Ark of the Covenant? - Encyclopedia Britannica

What is the strongest flame?

Blue flames Blue flames are the hottest, followed by white. After that, yellow, orange and red are the common colours you'll see in most fires....

Last updated Nov 22, 2018

What are 4 characteristics of a person who has high self-esteem?

There are 4 components that define the esteem you might feel for yourself: self-confidence, identity, feeling of belonging, and feeling of competence.

Last updated Feb 6, 2020

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Jewish and Christian tradition presents the Ark of the Covenant as the physical manifestation of God’s presence and supreme power. Ancient Israelites marched the Ark into battle and brought whole cities to their knees. The Ark was so sacred that touching it meant instant death. And once it was laid to rest in the Temple of Jerusalem’s holiest chamber, only the high priest was allowed in its presence and only once a year. Then Babylon sacked Jerusalem in the 6th century BCE, and the Ark disappeared. In the thousands of years since, its fate has stymied readers of history. Perhaps most famously, it inspired Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Finding the Ark’s real location probably doesn’t involve an adventuring archaeologist and secretive Nazis, but what do we know about the Ark’s final resting place?

One of the most well-known theories about the Ark is linked to Ethiopia’s 14th-century national epic, the Kebra Negast. According to this account, the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon in Jerusalem during the 10th century BCE and had a son by him on her journey home. Their son, named Menelik, returned to Jerusalem once he was of age. Although Menelik ultimately chose to go back to his mother, Solomon sent with him a company of Jewish scions. But unbeknownst to Solomon or Menelik, these companions, frustrated about leaving Jerusalem, decided to take a souvenir of sorts: the Ark of the Covenant. It was too late for Solomon to retrieve the sacred vessel. Menelik brought the Ark with him to the city of Aksum, and, with the Ark at his side, he later conquered a number of surrounding territories for what would become the Ethiopian empire. The Kebra Negast and its account of the Ark are major parts of Ethiopia’s national history. Although many scholars now believe the text to be apocryphal, Ethiopia’s medieval kings—called the Solomonic dynasty—claimed direct descent from Menelik and Solomon. This dynasty ruled until 1974, and their biblical connection was codified in Emperor Haile Selassie I’s 1931 and 1955 constitutions. Apart from the Ethiopian government, the country’s largest religious denomination, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, understands the Kebra Negast to be legitimate Christian history. According to church leaders, the Ark of the Covenant has for centuries been closely guarded in Aksum at the Church of St. Mary of Zion. Not even the high priest of Aksum can enter its resting chamber. Its sole custodian is a virgin monk who cannot leave the sacred grounds until his death. The Ark’s influence, though, is felt throughout the Ethiopian Orthodox world. Each one of their churches houses its own tabot, a sacred replica of the Ark. Tabots are kept in the Qeddest Qeddusan, or Holy of Holies, and are only taken out during festivals and times of need. Indeed, each tabot is venerated as if it were the Ark itself. Despite being an integral part of Ethiopian Orthodoxy, the nature of the Ark’s supposed guardianship at Aksum has made the church’s claim to ownership unverifiable. Most historians think that if it existed, the more than 3,000-year-old relic either disintegrated over time or was destroyed. But this, too, is only speculation. For many, the final fate of the Ark remains a fascinating mystery and a perhaps unsolvable one.

What crystal is best at the front door?

Best for the Entryway: Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, or Amethyst. Opt for black tourmaline, which is a very protective stone, says Crystal Jones,...

Last updated Feb 23, 2021

What is the cheapest state to live in overall?

Mississippi Mississippi is the cheapest place to live in the United States, with a cost of living 16.7% lower than the national average. It also...

Last updated May 15, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What should I drink all day instead of water?

Besides guzzling water, milk is a top choice to refuel. Sodas, even diet ones, get a bad rap for lacking nutritional value, but they can still be hydrating. Juices and sports drinks are also hydrating -- you can lower the sugar content by diluting them with water. Coffee and tea also count in your tally.

webmd.com - What Counts as Water? How to Stay Hydrated - WebMD

Water doesn't get the same media attention as green tea, antioxidants, and the latest fad diets. Yet it plays a much more critical part in our daily lives and our bodies. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and every system depends on water. So water is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as controlling body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. "It's definitely essential," says Jim White, registered dietitian and personal trainer in Virginia Beach, Va., and American Dietetic Association spokesman. "What we're finding is so many people are deficient," he notes. "We're seeing a huge decrease in athletic performance and fatigue that's caused by the lack of hydration." You can stay fully hydrated throughout the day by drinking water and other fluids, as well as eating foods that are hydrating.

Who were the only Israelites to enter the promised land after many years?

Joshua and Caleb were the two spies who brought back a good report and believed that God would help them succeed. They were the only men from their...

Last updated Nov 27, 2018

What is the best tea for fatty liver?

Green tea A study in 80 people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) found that supplementing with 500 mg of green tea extract per day for...

Last updated Apr 9, 2018

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What animal year is the luckiest?

Rat ranks as the first animal of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. It is also thought to be the luckiest zodiac sign- maybe the first one always means...

Last updated Nov 11, 2020

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

How can you tell if phlegm is bacterial or viral?

Clear or white mucus often indicates a viral infection, while yellow or green mucus may suggest a bacterial infection. The biggest difference...

Last updated Sep 23, 2021