Rebuilding
1. Introduction
The Jerusalem Temple underwent three major historical phases:
- Solomon’s Temple (First Temple) – built in the 10th century BCE.
- Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple) – rebuilt after the Babylonian exile in the late 6th century BCE.
- Herod’s Temple – a massive expansion and renovation project begun in the 1st century BCE.
This analysis systematically compares their historical contexts, construction features, theological roles, and political significance.
2. Solomon’s Temple (First Temple)
2.1 Historical Context
- Built c. 960 BCE by Solomon, son of David (1 Kings 6–7; 2 Chronicles 3–4).
- Fulfilled God’s promise to David for a permanent dwelling place (2 Samuel 7:12–13).
2.2 Construction and Design
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Materials | Cedar and cypress wood from Lebanon, gold overlay, bronze furnishings. |
| Layout | Tripartite structure: Porch (ulam), Holy Place (hekhal), Holy of Holies (debir). |
| Notable Items | Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, Bronze Sea, two bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz). |
| Builders | Phoenician artisans under King Hiram’s alliance. |
2.3 Theological Role
- Centre of sacrificial atonement and covenant worship.
- Symbolised God’s dwelling among His people (1 Kings 8:10–11).
2.4 Fate
- Destroyed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE (2 Kings 25:8–10).
- Ark of the Covenant lost or hidden at this time.
3. Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple)
3.1 Historical Context
- Rebuilt after the Babylonian exile under decree of Cyrus the Great (Ezra 1:1–4).
- Construction from c. 538–515 BCE under Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest (Ezra 3–6; Haggai 1–2).
3.2 Construction and Design
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scale | Smaller and less ornate than Solomon’s Temple (Ezra 3:12–13; Haggai 2:3). |
| Materials | Timber from Lebanon (again via Phoenician trade), local stone. |
| Notable Absences | No Ark of the Covenant; Holy of Holies left empty or contained a stone (Mishnah Yoma 5:2). |
3.3 Theological Role
- Restored Temple worship, sacrifices, and festivals (Ezra 6:16–18).
- Marked God’s faithfulness in restoring Israel post-exile.
3.4 Later Modifications
- Underwent renovations by the Hasmoneans (2nd–1st centuries BCE) before Herod’s massive reconstruction.
4. Herod’s Temple (Second Temple Renovation and Expansion)
4.1 Historical Context
- Initiated by Herod the Great in 20/19 BCE, partly to legitimise his rule and gain favour with the Jewish populace (Josephus, Antiquities, 15.380–425).
- Temple proper completed within a few years; outer courts and expansions continued into the mid-1st century CE (John 2:20).
4.2 Construction and Design
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scale | Vast expansion, doubling the Temple Mount platform. |
| Materials | Magnificent white limestone, gold plating, monumental staircases. |
| Notable Features | Royal Stoa, massive retaining walls (including today’s Western Wall), grand courts (Court of Women, Court of Israel, Court of Priests). |
| Builders | Herodian architects, engineers, and Jewish artisans under priestly supervision. |
4.3 Theological Role
- Centre of Jewish worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles).
- Site of Jesus’ teaching, cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12–13), and early Christian worship (Acts 2:46).
4.4 Fate
- Destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE under Titus during the First Jewish-Roman War, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy (Matthew 24:1–2).
5. Comparative Summary Table
| Aspect | Solomon’s Temple (First) | Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second) | Herod’s Temple (Expanded Second) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | c. 960 BCE | c. 515 BCE | 20 BCE – 70 CE |
| Builder | Solomon | Zerubbabel & Jeshua | Herod the Great |
| Scale and Grandeur | Grand, gold-covered, Phoenician craftsmanship | Smaller, modest reconstruction | Vast, magnificent renovation and expansion |
| Ark of the Covenant | Present in Holy of Holies | Absent | Absent |
| Theological Role | God’s dwelling and covenant fulfilment | Restoration of worship post-exile | Centre of Second Temple Judaism; stage for Jesus’ ministry |
| Fate | Destroyed by Babylonians (586 BCE) | Rebuilt and later expanded | Destroyed by Romans (70 CE) |
6. Theological Significance Across the Temples
6.1 Continuity
All three temples served as:
- The locus of God’s presence, worship, and atonement under the old covenant.
- The national and spiritual centre of Israelite and Jewish identity.
6.2 Typological Fulfilment
For Christians:
- They foreshadowed Christ as the true Temple (John 2:19–21).
- Their destruction points towards the eschatological temple: God dwelling with His people in the New Creation (Revelation 21:22).
7. Conclusion
Solomon’s Temple established the original grandeur and covenant symbolism.
Zerubbabel’s Temple restored worship post-exile in a more modest form.
Herod’s Temple expanded it into a monumental structure central to Second Temple Judaism and the backdrop of the Gospels.
Each phase reflects the progressive unfolding of redemptive history, culminating in Christ as the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity.
8. References
- Bahat, D. (2007). The Illustrated Atlas of Jerusalem. Jerusalem: Carta.
- Josephus. (c. 93 CE). Antiquities of the Jews. Trans. W. Whiston.
- Mazar, A. (1992). Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000–586 B.C.E. New York: Doubleday.
- Netzer, E. (2006). The Architecture of Herod, the Great Builder. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
- Wright, N. T. (2013). Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Minneapolis: Fortress.