Temple of Jerusalem
The Temple of Jerusalem refers to two distinct ancient temples that played a central role in Jewish worship and identity. The first temple, built by King Solomon around 966-959 BCE, was a grand structure made of white limestone and cedar, adorned with gold, and served as the primary site for Jewish sacrifices and religious ceremonies. This temple was destroyed in 586 BCE by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II during the conquest of Jerusalem.
Following the Jewish return from Babylonian captivity, the second temple was constructed on the original site and completed in 516 BCE. This temple faced significant challenges, including looting by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, which led to the Maccabean revolt. It was later refurbished by Herod the Great in the late 1st century BCE, becoming a magnificent focal point for Jewish worship. However, this second temple was ultimately destroyed by Roman forces in 70 CE. Today, the historical significance of the temples is a vital part of Jewish heritage and continues to influence cultural and religious narratives in contemporary discussions.
Temple of Jerusalem
Related civilization: Israel.
Date: c. 966 b.c.e.-70 c.e.
Locale: Central hill country, Israel
Temple of Jerusalem
King Solomon built the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem between 966 and 959 b.c.e. He built it on a previously unoccupied hill north of the city of David. It was about 100 feet (30 meters) long, 30 feet (9 meters) wide, and 50 feet (15 meters) tall, built of white limestone and cedar, and lavishly decorated with gold. Sacrifices and religious ceremonies were held there as prescribed in the Hebrew scriptures. The first temple was destroyed in 587 or 586 b.c.e. when Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon sacked Jerusalem.
Jews returning from captivity in Babylon built the second temple. Built on the foundations of the earlier temple, it was completed in 516 b.c.e. In 168 b.c.e., the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes looted the temple and placed an idol in it, sparking the Maccabean revolt.
The second temple was completely refurbished by Herod the Great between 20 and 18 b.c.e. This magnificent edifice was destroyed by Titus and the Roman legions in 70 c.e. The Dome of the Rock was built on the surviving Herodian platform in 691 c.e.
Bibliography
Backhouse, Robert. The Kregel Pictorial Guide to the Temple. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1996.
Bahat, Dan, with Chaim T. Rubinstein. The Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1990.
Shanks, Hershel. Jerusalem: An Archaeological Biography. New York: Random House, 1995.