Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai in fire, and the mount then smoked and trembled, and there were thunderings, lightnings, a thick cloud, and the voice of a trumpet (Ex. 19:16-18; Deut. 4:11; 5:22-26). Before the descent of Jehovah the people prepared and sanctified themselves for three days (Ex. 19:10, 11, 15). Bounds were set round about the mount, that no one might approach or come near its base, lest he die; not even a priest, but Moses only (Ex. 20:12, 13, 20-23 24:1, 2). The law was promulgated from Mount Sinai (Ex. 20:2-17 Deut. 5:6-21). The law was inscribed on two tables of stone, and was written by the finger of God (Ex. 31:18; 32:15, 16; Deut. 9:10). When Moses brought the tables down from the mount a second time, his face shone so that he covered it with a veil while he talked with the people (Ex. 34:29-35). The tables were placed in the ark (Ex. 25:18; 40:20; Deut. 10:5; 1 Kings 8:9). The mercy-seat was put upon the ark, and over it the golden cherubs were placed (Ex. 25:17-21). The ark with its mercy-at and the cherubs was placed in the tabernacle, and was made the first and inmost part of it; the table overlaid with gold, on which the bread of faces was placed, the golden altar for incense, and the lampstand with its golden lamps, made the outer part of the tabernacle, and the ten curtains of fine linen, purple, and scarlet, its outermost (Ex. 25; 26; 40:17-28). The place where the ark was, was called the holy of holies (Ex. 26:33). The whole Israelitish people encamped around the tabernacle in order according to the tribes, and marched in order after it (Num. 2). There was then a cloud over the tabernacle by day and a fire by night (Ex. 40:38; Num. 9:15-23; 14:14; Deut. 1:33). Jehovah spoke with Moses above the ark between the cherubim (Ex. 25:22 Num. 7:89). Because of the law within it it was said of the ark that Jehovah was there; for when the ark moved forward Moses said, Rise up, O Jehovah; and when it rested, Return, O Jehovah (Num. 10:35, 36; 2 Sam. 6:2; Ps 132:7, 8; 2 Chron. 6:41). Because of the holiness, of that law, Aaron was not permitted to enter within the veil, except with sacrifices and incense (Lev. 16:2-14, seq. ). Because of the presence of the Lord's power in the law which was within the ark, the waters of Jordan were divided; and while the ark rested in the midst of the river, the people passed on dry land (Josh. 3:1-17; 4:5-20). When the ark was carried around them, the walls of Jericho fell (Josh. 6:1-20). Dagon, the god of the Philistines, fell to the ground before the ark, and afterward lay upon the threshold of the temple with his head broken off and the palms of his hands cut off (1 Sam. 5). The Bethshemites on account of the ark were smitten to the number of several thousands (I Sam. 5, 6). Uzzah died because he touched the ark (2 Sam. 6:7). The ark was brought into Zion by David, with sacrifices and jubilation (2 Sam. 6:1-19). It was introduced by Solomon into the temple at Jerusalem, where it constituted the sanctuary (1 Kings 6:19, seq.; 8:3-9).