<P> The biblical account relates that, approximately one year after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, the Ark was created according to the pattern given to Moses by God when the Israelites were encamped at the foot of biblical Mount Sinai . Thereafter, the gold - plated acacia chest was carried by its staves while en route by the Levites approximately 2,000 cubits (approximately 800 meters or 2,600 feet) in advance of the people when on the march or before the Israelite army, the host of fighting men . When carried, the Ark was always hidden under a large veil made of skins and blue cloth, always carefully concealed, even from the eyes of the priests and the Levites who carried it . God was said to have spoken with Moses "from between the two cherubim" on the Ark's cover . When at rest the tabernacle was set up and the holy Ark was placed under the veil of the covering, the staves of it crossing the middle side bars to hold it up off the ground . </P> <P> According to the Book of Exodus, God instructed Moses on Mount Sinai during his 40 - day stay upon the mountain within the thick cloud and darkness where God was and he was shown the pattern for the tabernacle and furnishings of the Ark to be made of shittim wood to house the Tablets of Stone . Moses instructed Bezalel and Oholiab to construct the Ark . In Deuteronomy, however, the Ark is said to have been built specifically by Moses himself without reference of Bezalel or Oholiab . </P> <P> The Book of Exodus gives detailed instructions on how the Ark is to be constructed . It is to be 21⁄2 cubits in length, 11⁄2 in breadth, and 11⁄2 in height (approximately 131 × 79 × 79 cm or 52 × 31 × 31 in). Then it is to be gilded entirely with gold, and a crown or molding of gold is to be put around it . Four rings of gold are to be attached to its four corners, two on each side--and through these rings staves of shittim - wood overlaid with gold for carrying the Ark are to be inserted; and these are not to be removed . A golden lid, the kapporet (traditionally "mercy seat" in Christian translations) which is covered with 2 golden cherubim, is to be placed above the Ark . Missing from the account are instructions concerning the thickness of the mercy seat and details about the cherubim other than that the cover be beaten out the ends of the Ark and that they form the space where God will appear . The Ark is finally to be placed under the veil of the covering . </P> <P> The biblical account continues that, after its creation by Moses, the Ark was carried by the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert . Whenever the Israelites camped, the Ark was placed in a separate room in a sacred tent, called the Tabernacle . </P>

What is on top of the ark of the covenant