Topical Encyclopedia The Second Temple, a significant edifice in Jewish history, was constructed following the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. This period of restoration was marked by various challenges, including opposition from neighboring groups, notably the Samaritans. The Samaritans, a people of mixed heritage and religious practices, played a pivotal role in the interruption of the Second Temple's construction for approximately fifteen years.Historical Context The decree to rebuild the Temple was initially issued by Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, around 538 BC, as recorded in the book of Ezra. The Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, began the work with enthusiasm, laying the foundation of the Temple. However, the surrounding peoples, including the Samaritans, viewed the reconstruction with suspicion and hostility. Samaritan Opposition The Samaritans, who had established their own form of worship and claimed descent from the tribes of Israel, sought to participate in the rebuilding of the Temple. Their offer was rejected by the Jewish leaders, who were determined to maintain the purity of their religious practices. This rejection fueled animosity, leading the Samaritans to actively oppose the project. Ezra 4:1-5 provides insight into this opposition: "When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families and said, 'Let us help you build, because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.' But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, 'You have no part with us in building a house for our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.' Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia." Interruption of Construction The Samaritans' efforts to halt the construction were multifaceted. They employed political maneuvering, sending letters to Persian officials to cast doubt on the loyalty of the Jews and the potential threat posed by the rebuilt Temple. Their persistence bore fruit during the reign of Artaxerxes, when construction was forcibly stopped. Ezra 4:23-24 details this cessation: "As soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia." Resumption of Construction The interruption lasted until the second year of Darius the Great, when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the Jewish people to resume the work. The renewed efforts were supported by a decree from Darius, which not only allowed the construction to continue but also provided resources for its completion. Ezra 6:14-15 records the successful completion: "So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes kings of Persia. The temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius." The interruption of the Second Temple's construction by the Samaritans highlights the complex interplay of political, religious, and social factors in the post-exilic period. Despite the challenges, the perseverance of the Jewish community, under divine guidance and prophetic encouragement, ultimately led to the successful completion of the Temple, a central symbol of their faith and identity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 4:24Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased to the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Last Days of the Old Eastern World 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 |
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