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[[Image:Second Temple.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Model of the Second Temple, as rebuilt by King Herod]]

[[Image:Second Temple.jpg|right|thumb|Model of the Second Temple, as rebuilt by King Herod]]

The '''Second Temple of Jerusalem''' was the main structure of religious worship in ancient Israel.  Built upon the site of the First, or [[Solomon's Temple]], the Second Temple was in actuality two separate buildings: the temple built by [[Zerubbabel]] from 538 to 516 B.C. after the return of the Jewish exiles from the [[Babylonian Captivity]]; and a complete rebuilding of the structure on a grand scale begun by King [[Herod]] from 20 B.C. to 64 A.D.  Both buildings are considered one temple, as the religious functions did not cease during Herod’s reconstruction.

The '''Second Temple of Jerusalem''' was the main structure of religious worship in ancient Israel.  Built upon the site of the First, or [[Solomon's Temple]], the Second Temple was in actuality two separate buildings: the temple built by Zerubbabel from 538 to 516 B.C. after the return of the Jewish exiles from the [[Babylonian Captivity]]; and a complete rebuilding of the structure on a grand scale begun by King [[Herod]] from 20 B.C. to 64 A.D.  Both buildings are considered one temple, as the religious functions did not cease during Herod’s reconstruction.

==Decree of Cyrus==

==Decree of Cyrus==

==Temple of Herod==

==Temple of Herod==

====Initiation of the Work====

====Initiation of the Work====

Several years into his reign (ca. 31 B.C.), Herod built the fortress Antonia to the North of the temple. Midway in his reign, assigning a religious motive for his purpose, he formed the project of rebuilding the temple itself on a grander scale (Josephus gives conflicting dates; in Ant., XV, xi, 1, he says “in his 18th year”; in BJ, I, xxi, 1, he names his 15th year). To allay the distrust of his subjects, he specified that the materials for the new building should be collected before the old structure was taken down; additionally he had some 10,000 skilled workmen employed for the project, including 1,000 priests trained to be masons and carpenters. Contruction commenced in 20-19 B.C. The naos, or temple proper, was finished in a year and a half, but it took 8 years to complete the courts and cloisters. The total construction occupied a much longer time; indeed the work was not entirely completed until 64 A.D. - 6 years before its destruction by the Romans.

Several years into his reign (ca. 31 B.C.), Herod built the fortress Antonia to the North of the temple. Midway in his reign, assigning a religious motive for his purpose, he formed the project of rebuilding the temple itself on a grander scale (Josephus gives conflicting dates; in Ant., XV, xi, 1, he says “in his 18th year”; in BJ, I, xxi, 1, he names his 15th year). To allay the distrust of his subjects, he specified that the materials for the new building should be collected before the old structure was taken down; additionally he had some 10,000 skilled workmen employed for the project, including 1,000 priests trained to be masons and carpenters. Construction commenced in 20-19 B.C. The naos, or temple proper, was finished in a year and a half, but it took 8 years to complete the courts and cloisters. The total construction occupied a much longer time; indeed the work was not entirely completed until 64 A.D. - 6 years before its destruction by the Romans.

====Grandeur====

====Grandeur====

===The Temple and Its Courts===

===The Temple and Its Courts===

====Temple Area - Court of Gentiles====

====Temple Area - Court of Gentiles====

Josephus states that the area of Herod's temple was double that of its predecessor (BJ, I, xxi, 1). The Mishna (Mid., ii. 2) gives the area as 500 cubits (roughly 750 ft.); Josephus (Ant., XV, xi, 3) gives it as a stadium (about 600 Greek ft.); but neither measure is quite exact. It is generally agreed that on its east, west and south sides Herod's area corresponded pretty nearly with the limits of the present Haram area but that it did not extend as far North as the latter. The shape was an irregular oblong, broader at the North than at the South. The whole was surrounded by a strong wall, with several gates, the number and position of some of which are still matters of dispute. Josephus mentions four gates on the West (Ant., XV, xi, 5), the principal of which, named in Mid., i. 3, “the gate of Kiponos,” was connected by a bridge across the Tyropoeon with the city (where now is Wilson's Arch). The same authority speaks of two gates on the South. These are identified with the “Huldah” (mole) gates of the Mishna - the present Double and Triple Gates - which, opening low down in the wall, slope up in tunnel fashion into the interior of the court. The Mishna puts a gate also on the north and one on the east side. The latter may be represented by the modern Eastern, or Golden Gate - a Byzantine structure sealed up in the 6th century. This great court - known later as the “Court of the Gentiles” because it was open to everyone - was adorned with splendid porticos or cloisters. The colonnade on the south side - known as the Royal Porch - was especially magnificent. It consisted of four rows of monolithic marble columns - 162 in all - with Corinthian capitals, forming three aisles, of which the middle was broader and double the height of the other two. The roofing was of carved cedar. The north, west, and east sides had only double colonnades. On the east side was the “Solomon's Porch” of the New Testament (John 10:23; Acts 3:11, 5:19). There were also chambers for the officials, and perhaps a place of meeting for the Sanhedrin (bēth dīn) (Josephus places this elsewhere). In the wide spaces of this court took place the buying and selling described in the Gospels (Matthew 21:12 and parallel's; John 2:13).

Josephus states that the area of Herod's temple was double that of its predecessor (BJ, I, xxi, 1). The [[Mishnah|Mishna]] (Mid., ii. 2) gives the area as 500 cubits (roughly 750 ft.); Josephus (Ant., XV, xi, 3) gives it as a stadium (about 600 Greek ft.); but neither measure is quite exact. It is generally agreed that on its east, west and south sides Herod's area corresponded pretty nearly with the limits of the present Haram area but that it did not extend as far North as the latter. The shape was an irregular oblong, broader at the North than at the South. The whole was surrounded by a strong wall, with several gates, the number and position of some of which are still matters of dispute. Josephus mentions four gates on the West (Ant., XV, xi, 5), the principal of which, named in Mid., i. 3, “the gate of Kiponos,” was connected by a bridge across the Tyropoeon with the city (where now is Wilson's Arch). The same authority speaks of two gates on the South. These are identified with the “Huldah” (mole) gates of the Mishna - the present Double and Triple Gates - which, opening low down in the wall, slope up in tunnel fashion into the interior of the court. The Mishna puts a gate also on the north and one on the east side. The latter may be represented by the modern Eastern, or Golden Gate - a Byzantine structure sealed up in the 6th century. This great court - known later as the “Court of the Gentiles” because it was open to everyone - was adorned with splendid porticos or cloisters. The colonnade on the south side - known as the Royal Porch - was especially magnificent. It consisted of four rows of monolithic marble columns - 162 in all - with Corinthian capitals, forming three aisles, of which the middle was broader and double the height of the other two. The roofing was of carved cedar. The north, west, and east sides had only double colonnades. On the east side was the “Solomon's Porch” of the New Testament (John 10:23; Acts 3:11, 5:19). There were also chambers for the officials, and perhaps a place of meeting for the Sanhedrin (bēth dīn) (Josephus places this elsewhere). In the wide spaces of this court took place the buying and selling described in the Gospels (Matthew 21:12 and parallel's; John 2:13).

===Inner Sanctuary===

===Inner Sanctuary===

===The Temple Building===

===The Temple Building===

====House and Porch====

====House and Porch====

A flight of 12 steps, occupying most of the space between the temple-porch and the altar, led up to the platform (6 cubits high) on which stood the temple itself. This magnificent structure, built of blocks of white marble, richly ornamented with gold on front and sides, exceeded in dimensions and splendor all previous temples. The numbers in the Mishna and in Josephus are in parts discrepant, but the general proportions can readily be made out. The building with its platform rose to the height of 100 cubits (150 ft), and was 60 cubits (90 ft.) wide. It was fronted by a porch of like height, but with wings extending 20 cubits (30 ft.) on each side of the temple, making the total breadth of the vestibule 100 cubits (150 ft.) also. The depth of the porch was 10 or 11 cubits; probably at the wings 20 cubits (Josephus). The entrance, without doors, was 70 cubits high and 25 cubits wide (Midrash makes this 40 cubits high and 20 wide). Above it Herod placed a golden eagle, which the Jews afterward pulled down (Josephus, Ant., XVII, vi, 3). The porch was adorned with gold.

A flight of 12 steps, occupying most of the space between the temple-porch and the altar, led up to the platform (6 cubits high) on which stood the temple itself. This magnificent structure, built of blocks of white marble, richly ornamented with gold on front and sides, exceeded in dimensions and splendor all previous temples. The numbers in the Mishna and in Josephus are in parts discrepant, but the general proportions can readily be made out. The building with its platform rose to the height of 100 cubits (150 ft), and was 60 cubits (90 ft.) wide. It was fronted by a porch of like height, but with wings extending 20 cubits (30 ft.) on each side of the temple, making the total breadth of the vestibule 100 cubits (150 ft.) also. The depth of the porch was 10 or 11 cubits; probably at the wings 20 cubits (Josephus). The entrance, without doors, was 70 cubits high and 25 cubits wide (Midrash makes this 40 cubits high and 20 wide). Above it Herod placed a golden eagle, which the Jews afterward pulled down (Josephus, Ant., XVII, vi, 3). The porch was adorned with gold.

====“Hekhal” and “Debhir”====

====“Hekhal” and “Debhir”====

Internally, the temple was divided into a holy place (hēkhāl) and a most holy (debhīr) - the former measuring, as in Solomon's Temple, 40 cubits (60 ft.) in length, and 20 cubits (30 ft.) in breadth; the height, however, was double that of the older Temple - 60 cubits (90 ft.). In the space that remained above the holy places, upper rooms (40 cubits) were erected. The holy place was separated from the holiest by a partition one cubit in thickness, before which hung an embroidered curtain or “veil” - rent at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:51). As in Zerubbabel’s temple, the Holy of Holies was empty; only a stone stood, on which the high priest placed his censer on the Day of Atonement (Mishna, Yōmā', v. 2). In the holy place were the altar of incense, the table of shewbread (North), and the seven-branched golden candlestick (South). Representations of the two latter are seen in the carvings on the Arch of Titus. The spacious entrance to the holy place had folding doors, before which hung a richly variegated Babylonian curtain. Above the entrance was a golden vine with clusters as large as a man (Josephus, Ant., XV, xi, 3; BJ, V, v, 4).

Internally, the temple was divided into a holy place (hēkhāl) and a most holy (debhīr) - the former measuring, as in Solomon's Temple, 40 cubits (60 ft.) in length, and 20 cubits (30 ft.) in breadth; the height, however, was double that of the older Temple - 60 cubits (90 ft.). In the space that remained above the holy places, upper rooms (40 cubits) were erected. The holy place was separated from the holiest by a partition one cubit in thickness, before which hung an embroidered curtain or “veil” - rent at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:51). As in Zerubbabel’s temple, the Holy of Holies was empty; only a stone stood, on which the high priest placed his censer on the Day of Atonement (Mishna, Yōmā', v. 2). In the holy place were the altar of incense, the table of shewbread (North), and the seven-branched golden candlestick (South). Representations of the two latter are seen in the carvings on the Arch of Titus. The spacious entrance to the holy place had folding doors, before which hung a richly variegated Babylonian curtain. Above the entrance was a golden vine with clusters as large as a man (Josephus, Ant., XV, xi, 3; BJ, V, v, 4).

====The Side-Chambers====

====The Side-Chambers====

====Apostolic Church====

====Apostolic Church====

Seven weeks after the crucifixion the [[Pentecost]] of Acts 2 was observed. The only place that fulfils the topographical conditions of the great gatherings is Solomon's Porch. The healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1) took place at the “door ... called Beautiful” of the temple, and the multitude after the healing ran together into “Solomon's Porch” or portico (Acts 3:11). Where also were the words of Luke 24:53, they “were continually in the temple, blessing God,” and after Pentecost (Acts 2:46), “day by day, continuing stedfastly ... in the temple,” etc, and for a while the apostles continued the methods of their Master in daily teaching in the temple (Acts 4:1 ff). Many years later, when Paul visited Jerusalem for the last time, he was put in danger of his life from the myriads of Jewish converts “all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20), who accused him of profaning the temple by bringing Greeks within the precincts forbidden to foreigners (Acts 21:28-30). But Christianity had now begun to look farther afield than the temple. Stephen, and after him Saul, who became Paul, preached that “the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands” (Acts 7:48; 17:24), though Paul himself attended the temple for ceremonial and other purposes (Acts 21:26).

Seven weeks after the crucifixion the [[Pentecost]] of Acts 2 was observed. The only place that fulfils the topographical conditions of the great gatherings is Solomon's Porch. The healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1) took place at the “door ... called Beautiful” of the temple, and the multitude after the healing ran together into “Solomon's Porch” or portico (Acts 3:11). Where also were the words of Luke 24:53, they “were continually in the temple, blessing God,” and after Pentecost (Acts 2:46), “day by day, continuing stedfastly ... in the temple,” etc., and for a while the apostles continued the methods of their Master in daily teaching in the temple (Acts 4:1 ff). Many years later, when Paul visited Jerusalem for the last time, he was put in danger of his life from the myriads of Jewish converts “all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20), who accused him of profaning the temple by bringing Greeks within the precincts forbidden to foreigners (Acts 21:28-30). But Christianity had now begun to look farther afield than the temple. Stephen, and after him Saul, who became Paul, preached that “the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands” (Acts 7:48; 17:24), though Paul himself attended the temple for ceremonial and other purposes (Acts 21:26).

==Current status==

==Current status==

The Second Temple was completely pulled down in A.D. 70 by the Romans; only fragments of blocks from the structure remain, but in the garden areas outside of the Temple Mount walls. The western retaining wall, the only substantial structure remaining from this time period, is known as the [[Wailing Wall]], and is considered the holiest place in the Judean world.  The [[Islam]]ic [[Dome of the Rock]] mosque today stands on the site, although recent research indicates the previous Jewish temples may have occupied the area of the Temple Mount just to the north.

The Second Temple was pulled down in A.D. 70 by the Romans. Fragments of blocks from the structure remain in the garden areas outside of the Temple Mount walls. The western retaining wall, the only substantial structure remaining from this time period, is known as the [[Wailing Wall]]. It is considered to be the holiest place in the Judean world.   

''This article incorporates text from the [[International Standard Bible Encyclopedia]], a work in the public domain.''

 

 

 

 

''This article incorporates text from the ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', a work in the public domain.''

 

==See also==

==See also==