What Happened to The Arc of The Covenant?

What Happened to The Arc of The Covenant?

When it comes to important pieces of history, the arc of the covenant is a fairly large one; however, what happened to it? The Bible never gives us specific evidence to what happened, but there are many theories. 

It Was Melted:

According to some scholars such as Dr. David A. Falk, it was most likely melted by Nebuchadnezzar the Second. When the Babylonians took over the temple of the Lord, the Babylonians took the treasure inside, including the arc, where it was then melted for its gold content. This is indeed speculation, but it is extremely probable. 

In Jeremiah's Cave:

Some people have speculated that the arc is in Jermiahs cave, this theory coming from a late text known as the book of 2nd Maccabees: "It was also in the same document that the prophet, having received an oracle, ordered that the tent and the ark should follow with him, and that he went out to the mountain where Moses had gone up and had seen the inheritance of God. Jeremiah came and found a cave-dwelling, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense; then he sealed up the entrance," (2nd Maccabees 2:4-5 NRSVCE). The credibility of this document is up for debate, but if true this is where the ark could be. 

Some believe this cave was under the temple mount, this can not be confirmed or denied as people are forbidden to dig in that area. This concept comes from Jewish traditions such as the Talmud. 

Work Cited:

Image by Mary Harrsch

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.