Solomon’s Temple (First Temple)
1. Who Built It
The First Temple was commissioned and built by King Solomon, son of King David, according to biblical records (1 Kings 5–6; 2 Chronicles 2–3).
2. When
Construction began around circa 957 BCE (traditional scholarly dating) during Solomon’s reign, which lasted approximately 40 years (970–930 BCE).
3. Where
The Temple was located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the site King David purchased from Araunah the Jebusite as recorded in 2 Samuel 24:18–25 and 1 Chronicles 21.
4. Why
Solomon built the Temple as a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and as the central sanctuary for Israelite worship (1 Kings 8:10–13). It was meant to replace the portable tabernacle used during the wilderness period and to consolidate religious worship in Jerusalem.
5. How
- Solomon employed skilled labourers, including artisans from Tyre (1 Kings 5:13–18).
- The Temple was constructed using costly materials such as cedar, gold, and stone.
- It had a tripartite structure: the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, and the outer court (1 Kings 6–7).
- The Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings 8:6–9).
6. Usage and Religious Groups
- The Temple was served by the Levitical priests, descendants of Aaron, who performed sacrifices and maintained ritual purity (Leviticus 8; 1 Chronicles 23–26).
- The Sadducees, a priestly sect, are often associated with Temple worship in later periods but were not historically present during Solomon’s Temple era (they emerged much later).
- Prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied concerning the Temple’s holiness and future (Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 7).
- The Temple was the centre for major festivals, sacrifices, and religious laws as prescribed in the Torah (Deuteronomy 12).
7. Destruction
The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to the exile of the Jewish people (2 Kings 25:8–10; Jeremiah 52).
The Second Temple
1. Who Built It
The Second Temple was built by the Jewish people who returned from the Babylonian exile, led by Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and Joshua (Jeshua) the high priest (Ezra 3:2–8; Haggai 1:1–15).
2. When
- The Temple was completed around 516 BCE, during the Persian period under King Cyrus the Great’s decree (Ezra 1:1–4; Ezra 6:15).
- It was later significantly renovated and expanded by King Herod the Great around 20 BCE (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11.5).
3. Where
Built on the same site as Solomon’s Temple on the Temple Mount, but the complex was smaller initially and later enlarged by Herod.
4. Why
- To restore Jewish religious worship after the Babylonian exile.
- To re-establish the sacrificial system and the presence of God in a holy place, re-invoking covenantal promises (Ezra 3:10–13; Haggai 2:3–9).
5. How
- Early reconstruction faced opposition and delays (Ezra 4:1–5).
- Construction involved returned exiles using local and imported materials under Persian authorisation.
- Herod’s renovation massively expanded the Temple Mount platform and beautified the Temple with extensive use of stone, marble, and gold (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11).
- The Temple’s architecture resembled the First Temple but was grander in scale.
6. Usage and Religious Groups
- The Sadducees dominated the priestly aristocracy and Temple administration during this period, controlling the Temple rituals and the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1–2; Josephus, Antiquities 18.1).
- The Pharisees were influential religious leaders who emphasised oral tradition and law interpretation, often in tension with the Sadducees (Acts 23:6–8).
- The Temple was the centre for sacrifices, festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles), and pilgrimage (John 2:13–25).
- The priests and Levites performed daily sacrifices and Temple service (Nehemiah 12:44).
- Prophetic activity was less prominent but present in figures such as Malachi and John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:76).
7. Destruction
The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE following the Jewish revolt, an event described by Josephus and alluded to in the New Testament (Mark 13:1–2; Luke 21:6).
The Western Wall
1. Who Built It
The Western Wall was constructed as part of the massive retaining walls built under King Herod the Great during his renovation and expansion of the Second Temple complex (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11).
2. When
Around 20 BCE to 10 BCE, during Herod’s building project to expand the Temple Mount platform.
3. Where
Located on the western side of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
4. Why
- The wall served as a supporting retaining wall to hold the enlarged Temple platform’s massive structure.
- It allowed for a larger, grander Temple complex to accommodate more worshippers.
5. How
- Built with enormous limestone blocks, some weighing several tons.
- The visible part today dates mostly from Herod’s time, although the wall itself was part of the supporting structure.
- The Temple itself stood atop this platform but was destroyed in 70 CE, leaving only the retaining walls.
6. Usage and Religious Groups
- The Western Wall is not the Temple itself but is the closest remaining accessible site to the original Temple’s Holy Place.
- After the Temple’s destruction, the Western Wall became a place of Jewish prayer and mourning, especially during exile and diaspora (hence the name “Wailing Wall”).
- It holds special significance for all Jewish groups, including rabbinic Judaism which evolved after the Temple’s destruction.
- The Pharisees’ traditions influenced the rabbinic Judaism that reveres the Wall today as a sacred site.
- No sacrifices take place at the Wall; it serves as a symbolic and spiritual focal point.
References
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
- Josephus, Flavius. Antiquities of the Jews, c. 93–94 CE.
- Haggai 1:1–15; Ezra 1:1–6:15; 1 Kings 5–8; 2 Chronicles 2–7; 2 Kings 25.
- Mark 13:1–2; Luke 21:5–6; Acts 4:1–2; John 2:13–25.
- Nehemiah 12:44; Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:76.
- Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd ed., 2007.