What Happened to the Ark of the Covenant? The Mystery

Key Takeaways

• According to Jewish tradition, the Ark of the Covenant was never lost. It was hidden on purpose
• Before the destruction of the First Temple, it’s believed that King Josiah hid the Ark
• The Ark is thought to be preserved in Jerusalem, buried beneath or near the Temple Mount
• The Ark will be revealed again in the era of the Third Temple, according to tradition
• For both Christians and Jews, the Ark symbolizes covenant, holiness, and hope for the future

Have you ever read about the Ark of the Covenant and felt a chill run down your spine? Whether you first heard about it in a Bible study, in Sunday school, or stumbled across a documentary about it late one night, the mystery of the Ark captures everyone’s imagination. Where did it go? Was it stolen? Buried? Destroyed?

What most people aren’t aware of is that the Jewish view of the Ark is that it was never lost at all. It was hidden. On purpose. And it could still be there today.

What Was the Ark of the Covenant?

The account of the construction of the Ark is found in the book of Exodus, and God himself gave the plans to Moses. It was a box of acacia wood covered with pure gold, and the two cherubim were placed on it, with their wings extended. The two tablets of the Ten Commandments and, according to some traditions, Aaron’s rod and a jar of manna were inside.

The Ark was where God dwelt among the Israelites, in Hebrew known as the Shekhinah. The Ark could only be approached once a year, on Yom Kippur, with great ceremony, by the High Priest. It was the most sacred object in the history of Israel! 

     📖This article about ancient archaeology in the Land of Israel helps us understand the many levels of history beneath the surface.

So…What Happened to the Ark?

If you look at the books of Kings and Chronicles, you’ll see something peculiar; there’s no explanation as to where the Ark has gone. It simply vanishes from the story. The Babylonians destroy the Temple in 586 BCE and the Ark isn’t mentioned as being taken, destroyed or carried off. The Babylonians recorded all that they stole and the Ark is never on that list. So where did it go?

Did King Josiah Hide the Ark?

The most accepted Jewish response is from Jewish tradition. Tradition relates that King Josiah concealed the Ark in a secret place underground before the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem.

Josiah was one of the most righteous kings that ever lived in Judah. He had read the rediscovered Torah scroll, torn his clothes in grief and began a vast religious reformation. With the Babylonians approaching, King Josiah knew what was going to happen and did what he could to save the Ark. In his wisdom, he buried the Ark under the Temple, so that the enemies wouldn’t have the opportunity to destroy it.

This was not strange reasoning for a Jewish king. Jewish law has a special term known as genizah, which refers to a designated place to hide or bury holy objects and documents. This is exactly why the Ark of the Covenant hidden beneath the Temple makes complete sense within Jewish law. Holy things don’t disappear, they are preserved.

The Temple Mount and the Ark Today

To this day, Jewish tradition believes that the Ark of the Covenant is sealed in a chamber, somewhere under the Temple Mount. There has never been any archaeological excavation under the Temple Mount because the entire area is in the control of the Waqf, an Islamic religious authority, and no digging is allowed. The hidden Ark in Jerusalem remains one of the great unresolved questions of biblical archaeology. In a strictly scientific sense, there has never been proof that the Ark was destroyed or stolen.

The Ark of the Covenant Revealed in the Future

Jewish tradition doesn’t just say the Ark is hidden, it says the Ark will be revealed again in the future. There’s a close linkage between the Ark and the Third Temple, believed to be rebuilt in Jerusalem when the Mashiach (Messiah) arrives. At that time, it’s said that the hidden objects of the First Temple will be revealed and that this will restore holiness to the entire world. This is a living hope for many observant Jews. 

     📖This article on the archaeology of the Temple area reveals fascinating insight into pilgrimages of the times.

Why This Matters to Christians

The Ark is your story too. The Jewish tradition about the Ark isn’t competing with the Christian story, it deepens it. The Ark of the Covenant is a symbol that resonates with all the themes that are dear to any Christian: covenant, sacrifice, holiness, and God dwelling among us. It says that holy things don’t simply vanish. God doesn’t forget. His purposes are preserved, even when hidden from sight. For a Christian, that’s not just history. That’s theology.

Want to keep reading? Learn what once looted Jerusalem Temple archeological artifacts reveal about history. Fascinating! Explore more on faith, values, and the Land of Israel at Sinai Project.