Where Is the Ark of the Covenant?

“Where is the Ark of the covenant?”

Thanks for your question, Hannah!

We do not know the current location of the ark of the covenant. The Bible does not give us details about what happened to it after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed the city of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8–9), where the ark of the covenant was located.

While we don’t know for sure where the ark is located, some people think it may have been destroyed or taken by the Babylonians when they attacked the city. Others believe it may have been hidden by the prophet Jeremiah.

The ark appears in heaven in Revelation 11:19: “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple.”

This could be a symbolic (something that stands for something else) representation rather than the actual location of the ark of the covenant.

Even though many people have guesses or theories about where the ark of the covenant could now be, only God knows what really happened to it.

But we no longer need the ark of the covenant because Jesus fulfilled its purpose. The ark of the covenant served as a symbol of God’s presence for his people and a place where people sacrificed animals to atone (make up for) for their sins. But when Jesus died on the cross, he was the final sacrifice for our sins. Now, if we ask his forgiveness for our sins and believe in him, we will have his presence with us forever.

Do you have a question about God’s Word or his world? Ask your parents to help you submit your question here. We’d love to hear from you!