What was the true meaning and significance of the Ark of the Covenant? The Ark of the Covenant represented judgement and mercy, judgement if man approaches God and there is no blood to stay the judgement angels. Man would be face to face with the ten commandments which he cannot keep. Mercy if man approaches God with the blood of a substitute. When the high priest entered the holy of holies every year and sprinkled the blood upon the mercy seat and between the cherubim, God's judgement for sin fell upon an innocent substitute.