The Ark of the Covenant was one of the items God told the Israelites to make. It was a box. The dimensions were about 44′ × 26′ × 26′. It was made of acacia wood, and overlaid with gold inside and out. Four rings of gold were attached to each bottom corner. Poles made of acacia wood and overlaid in gold were slid through the rings. The poles were used as handles. In this way, the Ark of the Covenant was carried from place to place. God told the Israelites to put the covenant, or tablets of the law, in the ark for safe keeping. The saved bottle of manna and Aaron’s staff were put in the ark as well.

The mercy seat, or atonement cover, was a lid for the ark. It was made of pure gold. Two cherubim were made of pure gold. One cherub sat on each side of the mercy seat. The cherubim faced the mercy seat, and spread their wings over it.