Where was the Ark of the Covenant after the destruction of the First Temple?

Answer 1

No. The last time the ark of the covenant is mentioned was in the first temple, or Solomons temple, in Chronicles 35:3 during the reign of Josiah of Judah. This was about 623 b.c.. This was only about 30 years before Babylon overthrew Judah and sent the remaining Jews into captivity. The ark was likely carried out of the city of Jerusalem by Levites (the Jewish Priestly Tribe),right before the invasion by Babylon, as the writing was on the wall for some time, as many prophets of that time told the Jews that Babylon is coming, and they will take Jerusalem, which of course they did. These Levites went with the ark into hiding. We never hear for certain of the where abouts of the ark of the covenant again, on earth. It is interesting that something as prominent as the ark of the Covenant is never mentioned again in scripture, appearing intentional, in order that it may be hid, it could seem.There is a story of a sect of Levites that went to Ethiopia with the ark, and guard it in secrecy till this day, letting no outsiders see it. This is a possibility, as there is a group in Ethiopia that have long claimed to be of Levite (The Jewish Priest Tribe) descent, and modern DNA testing has confirmed this group of people to be likely descendants of Levi, comparing with other known Jews that are of reported Levitical descent. Which is, no doubt interesting. There are many plans and preparations for the building of a third Jewish Temple at which time it is hoped that the whereabouts of the ark of the covenant will become known. This is possible, The Bible does clearly foretell there being a third temple built and it will be the Jewish Temple during the coming 7 year tribulation (see Matthew 24:15, Daniel 11:31 and 12:11), when the Antichrist will reign over a revived form of the Roman Empire. He will gain his reputation as an economic genius, and a master diplomat, negotiating the impossible, peace between the Jewish and Muslim world. This will involve solving the Temple mount dispute, allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple. Midway through this seven year tribulation, the Antichrist will waltz into the newly completed third Jewish Temple. He will go into the Holy of Holies, with live CNN world news coverage of course, and there proclaim himself God. Then proceed to turn on the Jewish people whom he made peace with, and proceed to attempt to exterminate the Jewish race, like a Hitler on steroids. Well, for him to be able to waltz into the temple in the middle of the tribulation to proclaim himself God, obviously there must be a temple in existence at that time, in order for that to happen. The Bible, while it is clear there will be a third temple built that will be standing during the seven year tribulation, it no where says that the ark of the covenant will be there. One last thing. The actual last mention of the ark of the covenant, called the ark of testimonies, is actually in Revelations 11:19. It is said to be in the Temple of God, in heaven. Whether this is the exact physical ark that was on earth or whether it is the real ark which the one on earth was merely a picture or a shadow of, as the Jewish Temple is said in Hebrews 8:5 to be a picture of the true temple of God in Heaven, I have no idea. But it is an interesting subject. That is about all that is known of the ark at this time, to go further is just conjecture and speculation.

Answer 2

No one knows for sure, despite questionable claims to the contrary. Even 1800 years ago, the Talmud-sages discussed this question (Yoma 53b). The Talmud (ibid.) states two opinions in this matter. According to one opinion, the Ark of the Covenant was carried off by the Babylonians when they destroyed the First Temple.

According to the second opinion, around 35 years before the First Destruction, King Josiah (Yoshiah) hid the Ark in a secret chamber constructed for this purpose, since it was already apparent that the Temple wouldn't last much longer. The Prophets had been foretelling the destruction of the Temple for some time.

Tradition states that when he built the Temple, King Solomon prepared a hidden shaft and room deep underneath the Temple Mount for just such an eventuality (Maimonides, in the Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 4:1).

The second opinion is the accepted one (Maimonides, ibid, 4:1-2). However, it is possible to account for both opinions, since all of the Temple vessels had duplicates which were made in order to be used in case the original vessel got lost or defiled (Talmud, Hagigah 26b). In addition, there was a second ark which had been used before the Tabernacle was built (see Rashi commentary on Deuteronomy 10:1, based on midrash Tanchuma). We may therefore postulate that the Babylonians carried into captivity an empty duplicate Ark which had been placed in the Holy of Holies after King Josiah concealed the original.

Answer 3

No one knows for sure, despite questionable claims to the contrary. Even 1800 years ago, the Talmud-sages discussed this question (Yoma 53b).

See also the Related Links.

Link: What is the Ark

Link: More about the Destruction

Link: Jewish history timeline

Answer 4

No (Talmud, Yoma 21b). Around 35 years before the First Destruction, King Josiah (Yoshiah) hid the Ark in a secret chamber constructed for this purpose, since it was already apparent that the Temple wouldn't last much longer. The Prophets had been foretelling the destruction of the Temple for some time.
Tradition states that when he built the Temple, King Solomon prepared a hidden shaft and room deep underneath the Temple Mount for just such an eventuality (Maimonides, in the Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 4:1).

See also the Related Link.

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