Topical Encyclopedia The role of the priests in carrying the Ark of the Covenant is a significant aspect of their sacred duties as outlined in the Old Testament. The Ark, a symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel, was to be handled with utmost reverence and care, and the priests were divinely appointed for this task.Biblical Mandate and Instructions The instructions for the transportation of the Ark were explicitly given by God to Moses. In Numbers 4:15, the Kohathites, a Levitical family, were designated to carry the Ark, but only after Aaron and his sons had covered it and all the holy furnishings. The priests were to ensure that the Ark was not touched directly, as it was considered holy. "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their furnishings as the camp sets out, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things, or they will die" (Numbers 4:15). The Role of the Priests The priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron, were responsible for the sanctity and proper handling of the Ark. Their service was not merely a physical task but a spiritual duty that underscored their role as mediators between God and the people of Israel. The Ark was to be carried on their shoulders using poles inserted into rings on the sides of the Ark, as described in Exodus 25:14-15: "Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the Ark, in order to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of the Ark; they must not be removed" . Historical Instances of Carrying the Ark Several key events in Israel's history highlight the priests' role in carrying the Ark. One of the most notable is the crossing of the Jordan River. In Joshua 3:14-17, the priests carrying the Ark stepped into the river, and the waters were miraculously stopped, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. "And as soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap" (Joshua 3:13). Another significant event was the procession around the city of Jericho. The priests carried the Ark as they marched around the city for seven days, culminating in the city's miraculous fall (Joshua 6:6-20). This event underscored the Ark's role as a divine instrument of God's power and presence. The Ark's Return and David's Reign During the reign of King David, the Ark was brought to Jerusalem with great celebration. Initially, the Ark was transported on a cart, which led to the death of Uzzah when he touched it to steady it (2 Samuel 6:6-7). This incident reinforced the importance of following God's instructions regarding the Ark's handling. Subsequently, David instructed that the Levites carry the Ark as prescribed by the Law. "Then David said, 'No one but the Levites may carry the Ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the Ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever'" (1 Chronicles 15:2). Symbolism and Significance The service of carrying the Ark by the priests was rich in symbolism. It represented the holiness of God, the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and the necessity of obedience to divine commands. The priests' role in this service highlighted their unique position as custodians of sacred duties and as intermediaries who facilitated the people's access to God's presence. Throughout the Old Testament, the careful and reverent handling of the Ark by the priests served as a constant reminder of the sacredness of God's covenant and the importance of adhering to His instructions. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 3:6,17And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 6:12 Library The Form and Spirit of Religion The Child Prophet Christ Cleansing the Temple The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements. Babylonia and Assyria The Israelites Mahometans. A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ... The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers. The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus Resources Does 2 Chronicles 5:14 teach slaying in the Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Levitical priesthood? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus mean that we should never refer to our earthly father as “father” (Matthew 23:9)? Is it wrong for Catholics to refer to their priests as “father”? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Priests were Sometimes: Corrupters of the Law Priests were Sometimes: Drunken Priests were Sometimes: Greedy Priests were Sometimes: Profane and Wicked Priests were Sometimes: Slow to Sanctify, Themselves for God's Services Priests were Sometimes: Unjust Priests were to Live by the Altar As They had No Inheritance Priests: After the Exodus Young Men (First-Born) Deputed to Act As Priests: All Except Seed of Aaron Excluded from Being Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Anointing With Oil Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Clothing With the Holy Garments Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Lasted Seven Days Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Offering Sacrifices Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Partaking of the Sacrifices of Consecration Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Placing in Their Hands the Wave-Offering Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Purification by Blood of the Consecration Ram Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Washing in Water Priests: Divided by David Into Twenty-Four Courses Priests: During Patriarchal Age Heads of Families Acted As Priests: Each Course of, had Its President or Chief Priests: First Notice of Persons Acting As Priests: Garments of Laid up in Holy Chambers Priests: Garments of Often Provided by the People Priests: Garments of Purified by Sprinkling of Blood Priests: Garments of The Bonnet Priests: Garments of The Coat or Tunic Priests: Garments of The Girdle Priests: Garments of The Linen Breeches Priests: Garments of Worn Always While Engaged in the Service of the Tabernacle Priests: Garments of Worn at Consecration Priests: Garments of Worn by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement Priests: Generally Participated in Punishment of the People Priests: Made of the Lowest of the People by Jeroboam and Others Priests: Might Purchase and Hold Other Lands in Possession Priests: No Blemished or Defective Persons Could be Consecrated Priests: On Special Occasions Persons not of Aaron's Family Acted As Priests: Punishment for Invading the office of Priests: Required to Prove Their Genealogy Before They Exercised The Priests: Required to Remain in the Tabernacle Seven Days After Priests: Required to Wash in the Brazen Laver Before They Performed Priests: Revenues of a Fixed Portion of the Spoil Taken in War Priests: Revenues of all Devoted Things Priests: Revenues of all Restitutions when the Owner Could not be Found Priests: Revenues of First of the Wool of Sheep Priests: Revenues of First-Born of Animals or Their Substitutes Priests: Revenues of First-Fruits Priests: Revenues of Part of all Sacrifices Priests: Revenues of Redemption-Money of the First-Born Priests: Revenues of Show-Bread After Its Removal Priests: Revenues of Tenth of the Tithes Paid to the Levites Priests: Sanctified by God for the office Priests: Services of Blessing the People Priests: Services of Blowing the Trumpets on Various Occasions Priests: Services of Burning Incense Priests: Services of Carrying the Ark Priests: Services of Covering the Sacred Things of the Sanctuary Before Removal Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Jealousy Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Leprosy Priests: Services of Encouraging the People when They Went to War Priests: Services of Judging in Cases of Controversy Priests: Services of Keeping the Charge of the Tabernacle Priests: Services of Keeping the Sacred Fire Always Burning on the Altar Priests: Services of Lighting and Trimming the Lamps of the Sanctuary Priests: Services of Offering First Fruits Priests: Services of Offering Sacrifices Priests: Services of Placing and Removing Show-Bread Priests: Services of Purifying the Unclean Priests: Services of Teaching the Law Priests: Services of Valuing Things Devoted Priests: Services of, Divided by Lot Priests: Services of, Ineffectual for Removing Sin Priests: Special Laws Respecting: All Bought and Home-Born Servants to Eat of Their Portion Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Children of, Married to Strangers, not to Eat of Their Priests: Special Laws Respecting: No Sojourner or Hired Servant to Eat of Their Portion Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Defile Themselves by Eating What Died or Was Torn Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Defile Themselves for the Dead Except the Nearest of Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Drink Wine While Attending in the Tabernacle Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Not to Marry Divorced or Improper Persons Priests: Special Laws Respecting: Restitution to be Made To, by Persons Ignorantly Eating of Priests: Special Laws Respecting: While Unclean Could not Eat of the Holy Things Priests: Special Laws Respecting: While Unclean Could not Perform Any Service Priests: The Four Courses Which Returned from Babylon Subdivided Into Priests: The Sons of Aaron Appointed As, by Perpetual Statute Priests: Thirteen of the Levitical Cities Given To, for Residence Related Terms Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) |
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