Where is the Ark of the Covenant now?
Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered what may be one of the most significant biblical discoveries in recent history. At Tel Shiloh—the ancient site described in the Bible as Israel’s first major religious center – researchers believe they have found evidence of the Tabernacle that once housed the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark of the Covenant and the Bible
The Ark of the Covenant was no ordinary chest. According to Exodus 25:10–22, God instructed Moses to build it from acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and to place within it the two tablets of the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 10:1–5). On top of the Ark sat the Mercy Seat, overshadowed by two golden cherubim, where God’s presence dwelled and from where He spoke to His people (Exodus 25:22).
The Ark represented God’s covenant with Israel – His binding promise to be their God if they would walk in obedience to His law. As Deuteronomy 7:9 says:
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
For centuries, the Ark was Israel’s holiest object, symbolizing both God’s throne and His unshakable promises. It traveled with the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 10:33–36), led them across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14–17), and even brought victory in battle when the people trusted in the Lord (Joshua 6:6–20). Yet, when treated as a mere good-luck charm, the Ark brought disaster, as in 1 Samuel 4 when it was captured by the Philistines.
Recent Archaeology Discovery
Now, Dr. Scott Stripling and his team at Tel Shiloh have unearthed a monumental stone structure that seems to align with the biblical description of the Tabernacle. The building is oriented east to west and divided in a two-to-one ratio—just as the Scriptures describe in Exodus 26. Within this structure, archaeologists also discovered over 100,000 animal bones, mainly from sheep, goats, and cattle. Strikingly, most of these bones came from the right side of the animals, which Leviticus 7:32–34 designates as reserved for priestly sacrifices.
“This isn’t a coincidence,” Dr. Stripling explained. “The evidence of sacrificial rituals here is overwhelming, and it matches the biblical account to a degree that’s hard to ignore.”
Pottery fragments found at the site date back to the Iron I period, the same era when Shiloh served as Israel’s spiritual center. The Bible tells us that Eli the high priest ministered here, and it was at Shiloh that the Ark of the Covenant was tragically captured by the Philistines after Israel brought it to the battlefield (1 Samuel 4).
The newly uncovered building also includes a massive interior wall, possibly reflecting the separation of the Tabernacle into two parts: the outer sanctuary and the inner Holy of Holies, where the Ark rested behind the veil (Exodus 26:33–34). Only the high priest could enter this sacred space once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2, 29–34). It was here, before the Mercy Seat, that blood sacrifices were offered as atonement for the sins of the people-foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–15).
While this discovery does not prove that the Ark itself has been found, it provides compelling archaeological evidence that Shiloh was indeed a place of worship, sacrifice, and God’s presence, just as the Bible records.
Visiting Shiloh with Immanuel Tours
When you visit Israel on a Christian tour, Shiloh is a site you cannot miss. This ancient location is described in the Bible as the first major center of worship for God’s people (Joshua 18:1). It was here that the Tabernacle stood for nearly 400 years, and where the Ark of the Covenant once rested. Walking the grounds of Shiloh, travelers can reflect on 1 Samuel 3, where young Samuel first heard the voice of the Lord. Visiting the Holy Land makes the Scriptures come alive, turning pages of the Bible into real places you can see and touch. As you journey through Israel, from Jerusalem to Galilee and beyond, Shiloh is a powerful reminder of God’s covenant promises. The stones, ruins, and discoveries at this site echo the faithfulness of the Lord throughout Israel’s history.
Standing here connects believers to the reality of God’s presence among His people, then and now. Just as Psalm 132:8 says, “Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might,” Shiloh points us to God’s dwelling with His people.
A visit to Shiloh is not just sightseeing, it is a moment of worship, reflection, and a deeper encounter with the living Word of God.
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