Topical Encyclopedia The Second Temple, a significant structure in Jewish history, was constructed following the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. This temple served as the center of Jewish worship from its completion in 516 BC until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70. The dimensions and design of the Second Temple are of great interest to biblical scholars and historians, as they reflect both continuity with and divergence from the First Temple built by Solomon.Biblical Descriptions and Historical Accounts The Bible provides limited direct information about the dimensions of the Second Temple. The book of Ezra records the decree of Cyrus, King of Persia, which allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the temple. Ezra 6:3-4 states: "In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: 'Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its original foundations be retained. Its height is to be sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits, with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.'" This decree suggests that the Second Temple was to be 60 cubits in both height and width. A cubit, an ancient unit of measure, is generally considered to be approximately 18 inches (45 centimeters), making the temple about 90 feet (27 meters) in both height and width. However, these dimensions are often understood as maximum limits rather than precise measurements, as the text emphasizes the retention of the original foundations. Herodian Expansion The most significant changes to the Second Temple occurred under the reign of Herod the Great, who undertook a massive renovation and expansion project beginning around 20 BC. Herod's work transformed the temple into a grander and more elaborate structure, often referred to as Herod's Temple. While the biblical texts do not provide specific dimensions for Herod's renovations, historical sources such as the writings of Flavius Josephus offer detailed descriptions. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, describes the temple as having a façade of 100 cubits in both height and width. The temple complex itself was expanded significantly, with the Temple Mount platform enlarged to approximately 1,550 feet (472 meters) by 1,000 feet (304 meters), creating a vast courtyard area for worshippers. The temple's inner sanctuary, or Holy of Holies, remained consistent with the Solomonic design, maintaining a cubic shape of 20 cubits per side. Architectural Features The Second Temple, particularly after Herod's renovations, was renowned for its architectural splendor. The temple was constructed using large blocks of white limestone, and its exterior was adorned with gold, making it a striking sight, especially when viewed from a distance. The temple's interior included various chambers and courts, such as the Court of the Gentiles, the Court of Women, and the Court of Israel, each serving specific functions in the religious life of the Jewish people. The temple's design also included a series of gates and porticos, with the most famous being the Beautiful Gate, mentioned in Acts 3:2 : "And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts." Significance in Jewish Worship The Second Temple was the focal point of Jewish religious life, serving as the location for sacrifices, festivals, and daily worship. It housed the altar for burnt offerings and the menorah, and it was the site of the annual Yom Kippur ritual, where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer atonement for the people of Israel. The dimensions and grandeur of the Second Temple, particularly after Herod's renovations, underscored its importance as a symbol of Jewish identity and faith. Despite its destruction in AD 70, the memory and significance of the Second Temple continue to resonate in Jewish tradition and Christian eschatology. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 6:3,4In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof three score cubits, and the breadth thereof three score cubits; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library A Description of the Temple. The City Without Walls The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign. Gifts Received for the Rebellious In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned The Assumption of Moses The African Rome Letter Lviii. To Paulinus. Pagan Shrines and Temples. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources Was it God's desire for Israel to worship Him in a temple in Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning and significance of the Temple Mount? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Ezekiel's temple? | GotQuestions.org Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |