Topical Encyclopedia The period of the Second Temple, which began with the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon under the decree of Cyrus the Great, was marked by significant challenges and opposition. One of the notable adversaries during the reconstruction of the Temple were the Samaritans, a group that had a complex and often contentious relationship with the Jewish people.Historical Context The Samaritans were a mixed population that emerged in the region of Samaria following the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The Assyrians had deported many Israelites and repopulated the area with foreigners, who intermarried with the remaining Israelites. This led to the development of a distinct religious identity that was similar to, yet distinct from, Judaism. Opposition to the Rebuilding Efforts When the Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple, the Samaritans initially offered to assist in the construction. However, their offer was declined by Zerubbabel and the other leaders, who insisted on maintaining the purity of the Jewish religious practices and community. This refusal is recorded in the book of Ezra: "Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia." (Ezra 4:4-5) Tactics of Opposition The Samaritans employed various tactics to hinder the rebuilding efforts. They sought to weaken the resolve of the Jewish builders by instilling fear and discouragement. Additionally, they hired counselors to lobby against the Jews at the Persian court, attempting to halt the construction through political means. This opposition was effective for a time, causing delays and interruptions in the building process. Continued Hostility The hostility between the Jews and Samaritans persisted throughout the Second Temple period. The Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, further solidifying the religious and cultural divide. This enmity is evident in the New Testament, where the animosity between Jews and Samaritans is still palpable, as seen in the interactions between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:9). Significance The opposition from the Samaritans during the rebuilding of the Second Temple highlights the broader theme of conflict and perseverance in the Jewish narrative. Despite the external pressures and internal challenges, the Jewish community remained steadfast in their commitment to restore their place of worship and reestablish their religious identity. This period set the stage for the subsequent developments in Jewish history and the eventual completion of the Second Temple under the leadership of figures like Nehemiah and Ezra. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 4:4,5Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) Homilies on the Gospel of John. And ii. 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 |
    |