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I.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
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A.
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THE TEMPLE. (3 Major Historical)
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1.
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SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. (1005 B.C.?)
a.
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Constructed by King Solomon, son of David. (Third and final king of the United Kingdom.)
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IKi.6:1,38
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b.
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Began 4 years into his reign and completed in 7 ½ years.
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c.
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Patterned after the Tabernacle of the Exodus but two times larger.
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II Ki.25:8
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d.
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Destroyed in 586 B.C. by the invading Babylonians.
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2.
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ZERUBBABEL'S TEMPLE. (515 B.C.)
a.
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Authorized by Cyrus, king of Persia (537 B.C.), began 2nd year following
first group's return from the Babylonian captivity.
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Ezr 3:8
6:15
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b.
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Opposed initially by the Samaritans, but finally completed 22 years later, 6th year of Darius, succeeding king of Persia.
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Ezr 3:12
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c.
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Far less magnificent than the previous. Ark of the Covenant now missing (Antiq.XV.11.1.).
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3.
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HEROD'S TEMPLE. (19 B.C. - A.D. 64)
a.
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Old structure taken down and began anew by Herod.
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b.
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Enlarged to 2 times its former size.
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c.
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Final work not completed until A.D.62-64, just 6-8 years before its total destruction by Rome.
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d.
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Upon its completion, over 13,000 workers became unemployed during the time of the Roman procurator Albinus (Antiq.XX.9.7).
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e.
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It consisted of 6 SEPARATE MAJOR AREAS, OR COURTS, each successively rising in distinction above the former:
(1)
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THE COURT OF THE GENTILES.
(a).
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The lowest portion. Completely surrounds the enclosure, which measured 6 stades, or ¾ mile in circuit. -
War VI.5.2
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(b).
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All who entered passed through this Court.
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(c).
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The scene of the moneychangers driven out.
2:13-16
Lk.19:45
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(2)
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THE SACRED ENCLOSURE.
(a).
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3 feet above the Gentile Court, forbidding their entry. Only those of the House of Israel could pass beyond.
For a Gentile to do so brought a curse of death, with an Inscription stating such engraved upon it.
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(b).
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9 Gates Of Entry To The Courts Beyond:
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4 on the north side; 4 on the south side: one of each
leading to the Court of Women (or sometimes called: The Treasury, because of its location within), and
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1 on the Eastern side (most likely the one called Beautiful, scene of the
Triumphal Entry, and a future one).
Mt.21:15
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(3)
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THE COURT OF WOMEN. (Jewish only)
(a).
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3 feet above the latter. The eastern and lower portion.
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(b).
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All Jewish women could enter, but as with the Gentiles and theirs, could proceed no farther.
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(c).
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Scene of the widow's mites.
Mk.12:42
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(d).
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Scene of many of Christ's discourses.
8:2,20
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(e).
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Scene of our text.
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(4)
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THE COURT OF ISRAEL. (Jewish Men's Court)
(a).
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10 feet higher than the latter (Women's).
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(b).
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Western portion that surrounds The Court of The Priests.
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(c).
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All male Jews permitted to enter.
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(5)
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THE COURT OF THE PRIESTS.
(a).
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3 feet above the latter (Men's Court).
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(b).
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In the western portion that surrounds the Sacred Holies.
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(c).
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Contains the Altar and Brazen Sea (Laver).
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(d).
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Only Priests were allowed within.
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(6)
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THE HOUSE OF GOD. (Sacred Holies)
(a).
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8 feet above the latter.
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(b).
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Contained 2 Sections:
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THE HOLY PLACE.
To perform certain scheduled duties, the Priests entered from the East through a Door (opening)
covered with a linen Veil of blue, purple, and scarlet 55 cubits high. It contained:
The Altar for Incense,
The Table for Shewbread, and
The Candlestick (Lampstand).
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THE HOLY OF HOLIES. (Most Holy Place)
It was empty. The Ark no longer present. The High Priest entered annually on the Day of Atonement
(Tishri 10) for the sins of the people. It is said that a practice of securing him to a rope for removal should he be struck dead was a custom, since he was the only Priest permitted to enter. It was separated from the Holy by
the above Veil that was torn by the earthquake at Jesus' death. (Symbolizing access to God for all
who had been barred, including other Priests, Jewish men, and women -- even Gentiles!)
Mt.27:51
Heb.6:19
Heb.9
Heb.10:20-22
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f.
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This Temple was destroyed by Rome in A.D.70.
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Mt.24:1
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g.
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In A.D.363, the Roman Emperor Julian attempted rebuilding it (to defeat Christ's prophecy),
but failed when flames burst from its foundation.
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h.
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Today, the Dome of the Rock occupies the spot on this sacred site (the Muslim Mosque of Omar).
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Continued on next page
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