Where is the Ark of the Covanent?
The Ark of the Covenant is the premier artifact of the ancient world that has been sought after for many years. The main reason for its longevity in the hearts and minds of many people is that is it tied to the three major religions, Judism, Islam, and Christianity.
What is it?
According to the Bible, the Ark contained the two tablets of stone with The Ten Commandments, a golden jar containing some of the manna from the wandering in the wilderness, and the rod of Aaron.
Replica Ark the Covenant
It measured was 1.5 cubits broad and high, and 2.5 cubits long (~130 x 78 x 78 cm or 4.27 x 2.56 x 2.56 ft, using the Egyptian royal cubit). The Ark was covered all over with pure gold. At the top of the lid, it had two cherubim standing on either side facing each other.
The Ark was also referred to as the footstool of God here on earth.
Possible Locations
Below is a listing of the possible locations for the footstool of God here on earth.
Egypt
It could have been capture by the Pharaoh Shishak when he sacked Jerusalem (Pharaoh Shoshenq I, founder of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt, reigned from 944-924 BC. It has also been speculated that he may have been Ramses III). Reportedly, he took it back to Tanis, Egypt (15 miles outside present day Cairo). This is the theory followed by the Steven Spielberg film Raiders of the Lost Ark.
There is also talk of removal by Jewish priests during the reign of Manasseh of Judah, possibly taken to the Jewish Temple at Elephantine in Egypt.
Ethiopia
Intentional removal from Jerusalem in advance of the Babylonians this variant usually ends up with the Ark in Ethiopia.
There is also another tale of it being removed by the Ethiopian prince Menelik I (purported son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba).
The Chapel of the Tablet at the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum allegedly houses the original Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark could just be waiting for us in the open in Ethiopia. What a better place to hide, out in the open.
With God
Miraculous removal of the Ark by divine intervention (Cf. 2 Chronicles); and possible destruction of the original ornate Ark under King Josiah’s reforms (when it may have been seen as violating the commandment against graven images) and replacement with a simple wooden box. This box would have been easily lost when the Temple fell over time.
If the Ark did exist it is probably somewhere. It was a too important piece of the religious life at the time to just destroy.
Mt. Nebo
Some people believe that the Ark is hidden somewhere in or around Mt. Nebo on the Jordan River’s east bank. There is an account in Second Maccabees, chapter 2, verses 1-8, which states that the prophet Jeremiah put the Ark in a cave and blocked up the entrance.
Under the Temple Mount and Templar Involvement
The Ark could have been concealed by the priests under the Temple Mount, prior to the sacking by the Babylonians. The Babylonians were excellent bureaucrats and listed the items taken from the temple. The Ark, the greatest treasure of all, was not listed.
The Templars worked under the mount for many years prior to becoming a great military power. Only the martyred Templars truly know what they had in their possession.
There are stories that the Templars had possession of the Ark, and hid it either in France, England, Scotland, Ireland, or even the New World.
Lake Tiberias
Muslims believe that the Ark will be found by the coming redeemer of Islam in the end of times near Lake Tiberias.