Where is the Ark of the Covenant?

A sacred object described in the Hebrew Bible symbolizing God’s covenant with Israel.

Photo by Igor Rodrigues

What is the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred object described in the Hebrew Bible, is traditionally believed to be lost or destroyed. If it remains, its exact location is unknown, though there are multiple claims about where it may be.

The Ark of the Covenant was a gold-covered wooden chest made of acacia wood that measured approximately 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high, which is about 3.75 feet (1.1 meters) long, 2.25 feet (0.7 meters) wide, and 2.25 feet high. It was overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out, and had a gold molding around the edges.The Ark had four gold rings, one on each corner, through which two poles (also made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold) were inserted to carry the Ark and avoid touching it directly, which could result in death.

The lid of the Ark was called the mercy seat, made of solid gold, and on the mercy seat were two golden angels, called cherubim, facing each other with their wings spread upward.

According to the Bible, the Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and possibly Aaron’s rod and a jar of manna, symbolizing God’s covenant with Israel. It was housed in the Holy of Holies in the ancient Tabernacle and later in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, and was only to be approached by the High Priest, once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC and again by the Romans in 70 AD.

Where is the Ark Now?

Hidden Before the Babylonian Invasion

According to some Jewish traditions, the Ark was hidden by priests before the Babylonian destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. This view holds that the Ark may remain concealed somewhere beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Ethiopia

One of the most well-known and enduring claims comes from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which teaches that the Ark was brought to Axum, Ethiopia, by Menelik I, the supposed son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. According to this tradition, the Ark is kept in a chapel and guarded by a single monk. No one else is allowed to see it, so the claim remains unverified.

Taken or Destroyed

Some scholars and historians believe the Ark was likely destroyed or taken as plunder during the Babylonian conquest, with no record of its return in post-exilic texts. This explanation supports the idea that it was lost to history, either melted down or forgotten.

Other Legends

Other theories claim the Ark was taken to places like Rome, Egypt, South Africa, or even hidden by secret societies like the Knights Templar. These ideas, while intriguing, are often speculative or based on folklore, not historical evidence.

Despite centuries of searches, the Ark's fate remains a mystery, fueling both religious reverence and popular fascination. It continues to be a powerful symbol of divine presence, covenant, and mystery in Judaism, Christianity, and beyond.

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