The Temple

Prior To The Construction Of The Temple

Selection of the Temple Site

1. David's desire to build the Temple

   • David expressed his desire to build a permanent house for God (2 Samuel 7:1-3)

   • God, through the prophet Nathan, promised that David's son would build the Temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

2. The threshing floor of Araunah (Ornan)

   • During a plague, David was instructed by the prophet Gad to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (2 Samuel 24:18-25)

   • This site was on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1)

   • Traditionally, this is believed to be the same location where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:2)

3. David's purchase of the site

   • David insisted on buying the threshing floor from Araunah (2 Samuel 24:24)

   • He paid 50 shekels of silver for the threshing floor and oxen (2 Samuel 24:24)

   • A larger purchase of the entire site is recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:25, where David paid 600 shekels of gold

4. Divine confirmation

   • God answered David's sacrifice with fire from heaven, confirming the site (1 Chronicles 21:26)

   • David declared this place to be the site of the future Temple (1 Chronicles 22:1)

Preparations Made by David

1. Gathering of materials

   • David accumulated large quantities of materials for the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:2-4):

     • Cedar logs

     • Iron for nails and fittings

     • Bronze in abundance

     • Dressed stone

2. Financial preparations

   • David set aside his personal treasures for the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:2-5)

   • He encouraged the leaders of Israel to contribute (1 Chronicles 29:6-9)

3. Organizational preparations

   • David organized the Levites for Temple service (1 Chronicles 23:2-32)

   • He arranged the priests into divisions (1 Chronicles 24:1-19)

   • Musicians and gatekeepers were also organized (1 Chronicles 25-26)

4. Instructions to Solomon

   • David gave Solomon the plans for the Temple (1 Chronicles 28:11-19)

   • He encouraged Solomon to be strong and to carry out the work (1 Chronicles 28:20-21)

5. Divine blueprint

   • David claimed that the plans for the Temple came directly from God (1 Chronicles 28:19)

6. Skilled craftsmen

   • David gathered skilled artisans for the future construction (1 Chronicles 22:15)

Early Actions by Solomon

1. Alliance with Hiram

   • Solomon made an agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre, to supply cedar and cypress logs (1 Kings 5:1-12, 2 Chron 2:1-18)

2. Labour force

   • Solomon conscripted laborers from all over Israel (1 Kings 5:13-18)

   • This included 30,000 men sent to Lebanon in shifts

3. Stone preparation

   • Large, high-grade stones were cut and prepared for the Temple foundation (1 Kings 5:17)

These preparations, spanning from David's reign into the early years of Solomon's rule, set the stage for the actual construction of the First Temple. The choice of site and the extensive preparations underscore the immense significance of the Temple project in ancient Israelite society and religion.

The First Temple

Construction of the First Temple

• Built by King Solomon, son of David, around 960 BCE

• Construction began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign (1 Kings 6:1)

• Took seven years to complete (1 Kings 6:38)

• Dimensions: 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2)

• Elaborate design with cedar, cypress, and olive wood, overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:15-22)

• Two massive cherubim in the inner sanctuary, made of olive wood and overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:23-28)

• Furnishings included the altar of incense, table for showbread, and ten lampstands of pure gold (1 Kings 7:48-50)

Dedication of the Temple

• Celebrated with a grand ceremony lasting 14 days (1 Kings 8:65)

• Solomon offered a prayer of dedication (1 Kings 8:22-53, 2 Chron 6:1-42)

• The Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Temple (1 Kings 8:1-11, 2 Chron 5:1-14)

• God's glory filled the Temple as a cloud (1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chron 7:1-22)

Events During Solomon's Reign

• Solomon made regular offerings in the Temple (2 Chronicles 8:12-16)

• Solomon used the Temple treasures as collateral in his trade agreements (1 Kings 9:10-14)

• The Queen of Sheba visited and was impressed by the Temple (1 Kings 10:4-5, 2 Chron 9:1-12)

Rehoboam's Reign (Son of Solomon)

• Egyptian Pharaoh Shishak invaded Jerusalem

• Took away the treasures of the Temple and the royal palace. Rehoboam replaced Solomon's gold shields with bronze shields. (1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Chron 12:9-11)

Asa's Reign

• Removed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles (1 Kings 15:12-13, 2 Chron 15)

• Used Temple and palace treasures to form an alliance with Ben-Hadad of Aram against Israel (1 Kings 15:18-19, 2 Chron 16)

Jehoshaphat's Reign

• Removed the high places and Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 17:6)

• Sent officials to teach the Law throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7-9)

• Jehoshaphat prayed in the temple for deliverance in the face of an approaching army of Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:5-19) After the victory, they worshipped in the Temple (2 Chron 20:28)

Joash's (Jehoash's) Reign

• Joash crowned king in the Temple; Athaliah executed; Temple worship restored (2 Chron 23)

• Major repairs to the Temple (2 Kings 12:4-16, 2 Chronicles 24:4-14)

• Instituted a collection system for Temple repairs

• Later gave away Temple treasures to Hazael of Aram to avoid an attack on Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:17-18)

Amaziah's Reign

• Temple treasures plundered by Jehoash of Israel (2 Kings 14:14; 2 Chronicles 25:24)

Uzziah's Reign

• Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense on the altar despite not being a priest (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).

  • He was confronted by the priest, Azariah and 80 other courageous priests.

  • Uzziah responded angrily but leprosy broke out on his forehead and he was ushered from the temple and subsequently excluded from the temple

Ahaz's Reign

• Sent Temple and palace treasures to Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:8; 2 Chronicles 28:21)

• Ahaz worshipped idols and cut up the temple furnishings and closed the doors of the Temple (2 Chronicles 28:22-27)

• Made changes to the Temple to please the Assyrian king (2 Kings 16:10-18)

Hezekiah's Reign

• Hezekiah reopened and purified the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:3-19)

• Hezekiah reinstituted proper Temple worship including the Passover (2 Chronicles 29:20-30:27)

• Hezekiah ordered the life of the Temple worship (2 Chronicles 31:2-21)

• Stripped gold from the Temple doors to pay tribute to Sennacherib of Assyria (2 Kings 18:15-16)

Manasseh's Reign

• Desecrated the Temple by building pagan altars, and installing an image, in its courts (2 Kings 21:4-5; 2 Chron 33:4-9)

• Later repented and removed the foreign gods from the Temple (2 Chronicles 33:12-16)

Josiah's Reign

• Major Temple repairs and reforms (2 Kings 22:3-7; 2 Chron 34:8-13)

• Discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple leading to the renewal of the covenant in the Temple (2 Kings 22:8-13; 2 Chron 34:14-32)

• Purged the Temple of all idolatrous items (2 Kings 23:4-14; 2 Chron 34:33)

• Josiah celebrated the Passover (2 Chron 34;1-19)

Final Years of the First Temple

• Nebuchadnezzar's multiple invasions

  • Jehoiakim's Reign: Nebuchadnezzar took some Temple articles to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:7)

  • Jehoiachin's Reign: More Temple treasures taken to Babylon (2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chron 36:9-10)

  • Zedekiah's Reign: Final destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE (2 Kings 25:8-17, Jeremiah 52:12-23; 2 Chron 36:18-19)

    1. Temple burned and completely demolished

    2. All remaining treasures and bronze items taken to Babylon

The First Temple played a central role in the religious and political life of ancient Judah, often bearing the consequences of the kings' decisions and the nation's spiritual state.

The Second Temple

Return from Babylonian Exile

• Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE

• Issued a decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4)

• First wave of returnees led by Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8-11)

Initial Construction

• Led by Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest (Ezra 3:2)

• Foundations laid in 536 BCE (Ezra 3:8-13)

• Construction halted due to opposition from neighbouring peoples (Ezra 4:1-5, 24)

Completion of the Temple

• Prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged resumption of work in 520 BCE (Ezra 5:1-2, Haggai 1:1-15)

• King Darius I reaffirmed Cyrus's decree (Ezra 6:1-12)

• Temple completed in 515 BCE (Ezra 6:15)

• Dedication ceremony and celebration (Ezra 6:16-18)

Ezra's Reforms

• Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BCE (Ezra 7:1-10)

• Brought gifts for the Temple from the Persian king (Ezra 7:15-20)

• Instituted religious reforms and taught the Law (Ezra 7:25-26, Nehemiah 8:1-8)

Nehemiah's Contributions

• Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem in 445 BCE (Nehemiah 2:1-8)

• Rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, enhancing Temple security (Nehemiah 3-6)

• Repopulated Jerusalem, supporting Temple personnel (Nehemiah 11:1-2)

Hellenistic Period

• Alexander the Great's conquest (332 BCE) - reportedly visited the Temple

• Ptolemaic control: generally respectful of Jewish customs

• Seleucid control: increasing Hellenization and tensions

• Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the Temple (167 BCE) (Daniel 11:31, 1 Maccabees 1:54-61)

Maccabean Revolt and Hasmonean Dynasty

• Judah Maccabee recaptured Jerusalem and purified the Temple (164 BCE) (1 Maccabees 4:36-61)

• Institution of Hanukkah to commemorate the Temple's rededication

• Hasmonean rulers served as both kings and high priests

• Simon Maccabee fortified the Temple Mount (1 Maccabees 13:52)

Roman Period

• Pompey conquered Jerusalem (63 BCE), entered the Holy of Holies

• Crassus plundered the Temple treasury (54 BCE)

Herod's Renovation

• Herod the Great began major renovation and expansion in 20-19 BCE

  1. Doubled the size of the Temple Mount platform

  2. Rebuilt the Temple itself, making it taller and more magnificent

  3. Construction continued long after Herod's death (John 2:20)

  4. Included the Royal Stoa, a massive colonnaded structure

Notable Events in the New Testament

• Jesus taught in the Temple courts (Luke 2:41-50, John 7:14)

• Jesus prophesied the Temple's destruction (Matthew 24:1-2)

• Jesus drove out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13)

• Early Christians continued to visit the Temple (Acts 3:1)

• Paul was arrested in the Temple (Acts 21:27-36)

Jewish Revolts and Destruction

• First Jewish Revolt began in 66 CE

• Temple treasury seized by Jewish rebels

• Romans under Titus besieged Jerusalem in 70 CE

• Temple destroyed on the 9th of Av, 70 CE, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy

• Only the Western Wall (Kotel) remained of the Temple complex

Aftermath

• Brief restoration of Jewish control during Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 CE)

• Emperor Hadrian built a temple to Jupiter on the site

• Temple Mount largely abandoned for centuries

The Post-Biblical History Of The Temple Site

The history of the Temple site after 70 AD is complex and intertwined with religious, political, and cultural developments.

Immediate Aftermath (70 AD - 135 AD)

1. Roman period

   • The Temple was destroyed, but the Western Wall remained

   • The site was occupied by the Roman 10th Legion

   • Jews were initially allowed to visit the site to mourn

2. Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 AD)

   • Brief Jewish control of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount

   • Possible attempts to rebuild the Temple (unconfirmed)

   • Revolt crushed by Emperor Hadrian

3. Aelia Capitolina

   • Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman city named Aelia Capitolina

   • A temple to Jupiter was built on the Temple Mount

   • Jews were banned from entering Jerusalem

Byzantine Period (324-637 AD)

1. Christian control

   • The site was largely neglected and used as a garbage dump

   • Some Christian structures were built nearby, but not on the Mount itself

   • Jews were allowed to visit the site once a year to mourn

2. Brief Persian conquest (614-629 AD)

   • Jews briefly regained control of Jerusalem

   • Possible plans to rebuild the Temple were thwarted by the Byzantine reconquest

Early Islamic Period (637-1099 AD)

1. Muslim conquest

   • Caliph Omar conquered Jerusalem in 637 AD

   • The site was identified with Muhammad's Night Journey

2. Construction of Islamic shrines

   • Dome of the Rock built by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691 AD

   • Al-Aqsa Mosque built around 705 AD

3. Jewish access

   • Jews were initially allowed to pray on the Temple Mount

   • Access became more restricted over time

Crusader Period (1099-1187 AD)

1. Christian rule

   • Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099

   • The Dome of the Rock was converted into a church (Templum Domini)

   • Al-Aqsa Mosque became a royal palace, then headquarters of the Knights Templar

2. Muslim reconquest

   • Saladin recaptured Jerusalem in 1187

   • Islamic shrines were restored to their original purpose

Late Islamic Periods (1187-1917 AD)

1. Ayyubid and Mamluk rule

   • The Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) became a major Islamic centre

   • Non-Muslims were generally forbidden from entering the site

2. Ottoman period (1517-1917)

   • Continued Islamic control and development of the site

   • Renovation of Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque

   • Limited Jewish access to the Western Wall area

British Mandate Period (1917-1948)

1. Increased tensions

   • Disputes over Jewish prayer rights at the Western Wall

   • 1929 riots partly sparked by conflict over the site

2. Maintenance of status quo

   • British generally maintained Ottoman-era restrictions on access

Jordanian Period (1948-1967)

1. Jordanian control

   • Jews were denied access to the Western Wall and Temple Mount

   • Some Jewish holy sites were desecrated

Israeli Period (1967-present)

1. Six-Day War (1967)

   • Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City and Temple Mount

   • Defense Minister Moshe Dayan returned administrative control of the Temple Mount to the Islamic Waqf

2. Current situation

   • The Temple Mount is under Israeli sovereignty but administered by the Islamic Waqf

   • Non-Muslims can visit at specific times but cannot pray openly on the Mount

   • The Western Wall is under Israeli control and is the main Jewish prayer site

   • Ongoing tensions and disputes over access and control

3. Archaeological work

   • Extensive excavations around the Temple Mount, revealing layers of history

   • Sifting project of debris from unauthorized Waqf excavations has yielded numerous artifacts

This history shows how the Temple site has remained a focal point of religious and political significance long after the destruction of the Second Temple. It continues to be one of the most contested religious sites in the world, central to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim narratives and claims.

• 2 Chronicles 3 - the design of the Temple

• 2 Chronicles 4 - descriptions of the temple furnishing s and vessels