A Comparative Study of the Ark of the Covenant and the Shekhinah in the Old Testament with the Qur’anic Interpretation of the Ark and Sakīnah

Abstract

Jewish religious texts, particularly the Old Testament, frequently reference a sacred and enigmatic object known as the "Ark of the Covenant," which is significant due to its various functions and its close association with the divine presence, the "Shekhinah." According to Yahweh's command, Moses constructed the Ark of the Covenant and placed within it the stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, inscribed at Mount Sinai. This study examines the relationship between the "Ark of the Covenant" and the "Shekhinah" in the Old Testament, and the "Ark" and "Sakīnah" in the Qur’an and Islamic exegetical tradition, with the aim of clarifying the similarities and differences between these concepts in the two monotheistic traditions. A comparative-analytical method is employed.The findings indicate that, unlike the Old Testament, the Qur’an does not address the origin or circumstances of the Ark of the Covenant's emergence and refers to it only once, in Surah al-Baqarah. While the Ark of the Covenant is associated with the Shekhinah in the Old Testament as a locus of divine presence, the Qur’an explicitly connects the Sakīnah with the Ark. However, Qur’anic Sakīnah primarily signifies dignity, tranquility, and reassurance bestowed by God upon Moses, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the believers during moments of battle. It manifests God’s majestic and awe-inspiring aspect rather than His beauty-oriented, aspect. In contrast, the Shekhinah in the Old Testament, beyond providing consolation and tranquility, also fulfills roles such as guidance and punishment.