Temple in Jerusalem

Temple in Jerusalem
Berthold Werner · Public domain · source
Name	Temple in Jerusalem
Location	Jerusalem
Religious affiliation	Yahwism, Second Temple Judaism
Deity	Yahweh
Functional status	Destroyed
Leadership	High Priest of Israel
Architecture type	Temple
Groundbreaking	c. 957 BCE (First), c. 516 BCE (Second)
Year completed	c. 587 BCE (First destroyed), c. 20 BCE (Herodian expansion)
Date destroyed	587/586 BCE (First), 70 CE (Second)

Temple in Jerusalem. The central place of worship in ancient Israelite religion and later Second Temple Judaism, it was considered the dwelling place of the God of Israel on Earth. Constructed and destroyed twice, its history is foundational to Jewish history, Christian theology, and Islamic tradition. The site, known as the Temple Mount, remains one of the most contested and sacred locations in the world.

First Temple (Solomon's Temple)

According to the Hebrew Bible, the First Temple was commissioned by King Solomon in the 10th century BCE, built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Its construction is described in the Books of Kings and Books of Chronicles, utilizing materials and craftsmen from Phoenicia under Hiram I of Tyre. The temple housed the Ark of the Covenant in its inner sanctum, the Holy of Holies, and its rituals were performed by the Levites and the priesthood. The kingdom split after Solomon's death, with the temple remaining central to the Kingdom of Judah. It was ultimately destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II following the Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC), an event commemorated by the fast of Tisha B'Av.

Second Temple

The Second Temple was constructed following the Edict of Cyrus, which allowed the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Yehud Medinata. Its completion around 516 BCE is recorded in the Book of Ezra. This structure was initially more modest but was massively expanded and renovated by Herod the Great beginning around 20 BCE, creating the monumental Herodian Temple. It served as the religious and national center during the Second Temple period, a time encompassing the Hasmonean dynasty, Roman Judea, and the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The temple was destroyed after the First Jewish–Roman War by the legions of Titus during the Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE), an event depicted on the Arch of Titus in Rome.

Location and Architecture

The temple was built on the Temple Mount, a hill identified with the biblical Mount Moriah. The Holy of Holies was situated over a foundation stone, which later traditions associate with the Foundation Stone in Jewish mysticism. The Herodian complex included large retaining walls like the Western Wall, vast courtyards including the Court of the Gentiles, and monumental gates such as the Huldah Gates. Its design influenced later religious architecture, including the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, which now occupy the site. The temple's orientation and rituals are detailed in the Mishnah tractate Middot.

Religious Significance

In Jewish scripture, the temple was the sole legitimate location for sacrificial offerings and major pilgrimages during the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. Its destruction fundamentally transformed Judaism, leading to the development of Rabbinic Judaism and worship in synagogues. In Christianity, the temple is the backdrop for events in the Gospels, such as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the Cleansing of the Temple, and its destruction is seen as fulfilling prophecies by Jesus. In Islam, the site is revered as the location of Muhammad's Night Journey, mentioned in the Surah Al-Isra.

Archaeological Evidence

Direct archaeological evidence of the temples is limited due to the site's sensitivity. Excavations near the Western Wall have revealed Herodian-era stones and a street from the period. The Theodotos Inscription references a synagogue near the temple. The Burnt House in the Jewish Quarter provides evidence of the destruction in 70 CE. Important artifacts like the Trumpeting Place inscription have been found. The most detailed contemporary descriptions come from the works of Josephus in his The Jewish War and from the Mishnah.

Cultural and Historical Impact

The temple's destruction and the subsequent Jewish diaspora are pivotal events in Jewish identity. The hope for its rebuilding is a central theme in Jewish eschatology and daily prayers. The temple's imagery and symbolism permeate Western art, from Renaissance paintings to modern literature. The site's status is a core issue in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, with administration controlled by the Jordanian Waqf. Archaeological and political activity around the Temple Mount is often a source of major international tension, involving entities like UNESCO.

Category:Jewish temples Category:Destroyed temples Category:History of Jerusalem