It's important to note that this is a fictional interpretation. In Jewish tradition, the Ark of the Covenant was a wooden chest containing the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments, as well as other sacred items like Aaron's rod and a pot of manna. However, the actual contents of the Ark remain a mystery.
The movie uses the Ark as a powerful, dangerous artifact with the potential to unleash divine wrath. This is a Hollywood interpretation and doesn't reflect any actual historical or religious beliefs.