Where is the ark of the Covenant today?

Answer 1

No one knows for sure, despite sensational 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.

Answer 2

Although the Ark of the Covenant was said to have been built at enormous expense, to support the mercy seat on which God sat while he travelled with the Israelites and to keep the sacred tablets of the ten commandments, Psalm 132 says this most sacred artefact of the Hebrews was found abandoned in a field.

2 Samuel chapter 6 describes how David recovered the Ark and moved it to its place in the tabernacle. The author had no doubt that God was still seated 'between the cherubim', with frequent references such as David dancing 'before the Lord', and God blessing a household for hosting the ark. So, the Ark had been lost once, but found and recovered. If it really did exist, it must have been lost yet again, but there is no record of such an event.

Numerous legends have sprung up to explain the loss of such an important artefact but, if it really did exist, we do not know where it is now.

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). 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.See also the Related Links.

Link: What is the Ark

Link: More about the Destruction

Link: Jewish history timeline