The concept of "The Room in the Temple" refers to various chambers and spaces within the Temple of Solomon, the Second Temple, and Herod's Temple, as described in the Bible. These rooms served multiple purposes, including storage, worship, and administrative functions. The Temple, as the central place of worship for the Israelites, was meticulously designed with specific rooms and areas, each with its own significance and function.

Solomon's Temple

Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was constructed under the reign of King Solomon and is detailed in 1 Kings 6-7 and 2 Chronicles 3-4. The Temple was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and was the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant. The structure included several rooms:

· The Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place): This innermost room housed the Ark of the Covenant and was separated by a veil. Only the High Priest could enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). "The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim" (1 Kings 8:6).

· The Holy Place: This room was located just outside the Holy of Holies and contained the altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the golden lampstand (menorah). Priests entered this area daily to perform their duties.

· Side Chambers: Surrounding the Temple were three accounts of side chambers used for storage and other purposes. "Against the walls of the main hall and the inner sanctuary he built a structure with side rooms all around" (1 Kings 6:5).

The Second Temple

The Second Temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, is described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. While less is detailed about the specific rooms compared to Solomon's Temple, it maintained a similar layout with the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place. The Second Temple was later expanded and renovated by Herod the Great.

Herod's Temple

Herod's Temple, an extensive renovation of the Second Temple, included additional rooms and courtyards. The Temple complex was grand and included:

· The Court of the Gentiles: A large outer court where non-Jews could come to pray and worship. It was here that Jesus drove out the money changers, saying, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13).

· The Court of Women: A section where Jewish women could enter, located closer to the inner sanctuaries than the Court of the Gentiles.

· The Inner Courts: These included the Court of Israel and the Court of Priests, where sacrifices were made, and only Jewish men and priests could enter, respectively.

· The Holy of Holies and the Holy Place: These remained central to the Temple's design, continuing the tradition of the First Temple.

Significance

The rooms in the Temple were not merely architectural features but held deep spiritual significance. They represented the holiness of God and the separation between God and humanity due to sin. The Holy of Holies, in particular, symbolized God's presence among His people. The design and function of these rooms underscored the importance of purity, reverence, and the sacrificial system in the worship of Yahweh.

Throughout the Bible, the Temple and its rooms are seen as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who is described as the ultimate High Priest and the perfect sacrifice, bridging the gap between God and humanity.