The Ark and the Temple?

Question

Someone mentioned elsewhere (Why did the Ark require pitch?) that the Ark was like the Temple. How do you arrive at this conclusion?

Answer

Symbolism when properly used can be a great aid in understanding the Bible. Below are a few of the similarities between the Ark, the Tabernacle, and the Temple:

Similarity Ark Tabernacle Temple

God's design Gen 6:14-16 Exod 25:8-9; Acts 7:44; Heb 8:2, 5 1 Chron 28:19

Name, Ark
Hebrew, tevah Ark Ark of the Covenant Ark of the Covenant

Name, Ark
LXX Greek, kibotos Ark Ark of the Covenant Ark of the Covenant

3-Fold division three decks, Gen 6:16 the outer courtyard (Exod 27:9-18; 38:9-20), the holy place (Exod 26:33; 40:28) and the holy of holies - Most Holy Place (Exod 40:21) the porch (1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chron 3:4), the holy place (1 Kings 8:8-10; 2 Chron 3:5; 1 Kings 6:17), and the holy of holies (1 Kings 6:19, 37; 8:6; Heb 9:3)

Animal Skin
Hebrew, mikseh Covering of the Ark, deck-roof, Gen 8:13 Skins of the tent of meeting, Exod 26:14 ---

Sacrificial Animals Gen 6:19-20; 7:2-3; 8:20 Lev 1:3-9; 17:11, etc. 1 Kings 8:5, 63, etc.

Atonement Hebrew, kopher translated "pitch," Gen 6:14 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Lev 16:16 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), 1 Chron 16:39-40; Ezek 43:26

Atonement Hebrew, kopher translated "pitch," Gen 6:14 Cover of the Ark of the Covenant, Exod 25:17; Lev 16:2 Cover of the Ark of the Covenant, 1 Chron 28:11; Psa 32:1

Similarity	Ark	Tabernacle	Temple
God's design	Gen 6:14-16	Exod 25:8-9; Acts 7:44; Heb 8:2, 5	1 Chron 28:19
Name, Ark Hebrew, tevah	Ark	Ark of the Covenant	Ark of the Covenant
Name, Ark LXX Greek, kibotos	Ark	Ark of the Covenant	Ark of the Covenant
3-Fold division	three decks, Gen 6:16	the outer courtyard (Exod 27:9-18; 38:9-20), the holy place (Exod 26:33; 40:28) and the holy of holies - Most Holy Place (Exod 40:21)	the porch (1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chron 3:4), the holy place (1 Kings 8:8-10; 2 Chron 3:5; 1 Kings 6:17), and the holy of holies (1 Kings 6:19, 37; 8:6; Heb 9:3)
Animal Skin Hebrew, mikseh	Covering of the Ark, deck-roof, Gen 8:13	Skins of the tent of meeting, Exod 26:14	---
Sacrificial Animals	Gen 6:19-20; 7:2-3; 8:20	Lev 1:3-9; 17:11, etc.	1 Kings 8:5, 63, etc.
Atonement	Hebrew, kopher translated "pitch," Gen 6:14	Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Lev 16:16	Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), 1 Chron 16:39-40; Ezek 43:26
Atonement	Hebrew, kopher translated "pitch," Gen 6:14	Cover of the Ark of the Covenant, Exod 25:17; Lev 16:2	Cover of the Ark of the Covenant, 1 Chron 28:11; Psa 32:1

There are many other similarities. For instance, compare the dimensions of Noah's Ark to the Tabernacle, etc. What about the wood of the Ark and the Mercy Seat? Enjoy your study.

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