There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when YHWH made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
which held a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered with gold on all sides, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Now therefore, if y’all will listen-listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then y’all will be my own possession from among all peoples. Although all the earth is mine,
These are the words of the covenant which YHWH commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.
As soon as he came near to the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses’ anger grew hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mountain.