Dictionary of Bible Themes Following the exile Solomon's ruined temple was rebuilt and became the focus of the Jewish faith worldwide. Ezra 1:1-4Preparations for rebuilding the temple Ezra 1:7pp 2Ch 36:22-23 Cyrus gave permission for the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (538 B.C.) He sent back the temple treasures. Ezra 3:3-6,8-13; 4:1-3Rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel Ezra 4:8,12-15,17,20-21,24Interruptions to the rebuilding The Jews' enemies persuaded Artaxerxes to order the work to cease Haggai 1:4See also The prophets Haggai and Zechariah called Zerubbabel and the people to restart work Ezra 5:1-12Haggai 1:5-7,14-15 Ezra 5:3,11,13; 6:3-5,7-8 The rebuilding authorised by King Darius Ezra 6:16; 7:11-17The dedication and worship of the rebuilt temple Psalms 87:1-7; 135:21The post-exilic temple and its worship was regarded as the spiritual centre for Jews worldwide Psalms 100:4; 134:1-2The temple is the place where God is to be praised See also Psalms 135:19-20; 138:2Zechariah 1:16 Prophecies of restoration of the temple See also Jeremiah 31:6,23; 33:18Ezekiel 40:1-43:27 See also 7766 priests7772 prophets 8622 worship 8664 praise |
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