There is a Sound Series, Dead Sea Scrolls: Temple of Jerusalem
- Shidonna Raven
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source: Britannica
Photo Source: Unsplash,
Temple of Jerusalem
Judaism
Temple of Jerusalem, either of two temples that were the centre of worship and national identity in ancient Israel.
In the early years of the Israelite kingdom, the Ark of the Covenant was periodically moved about among several sanctuaries, especially those of Shechem and Shiloh. After King David’s capture of Jerusalem, however, the Ark was moved to that city. This action joined Israel’s major religious object with the monarchy and the city itself into a central symbol of union of the Israelite tribes. As the site for a future temple, David chose Mount Moriah, or the Temple Mount, where it was believed Abraham had built the altar on which to sacrifice his son Isaac.
The First Temple was constructed during the reign of David’s son, Solomon, and completed in 957 BCE. Other sanctuaries retained their religious functions, however, until Josiah (reigned c. 640–609 BCE) abolished them and established the Temple of Jerusalem as the only place of sacrifice in the Kingdom of Judah.
The First Temple was built as an abode for the Ark and as a place of assembly for the entire people. The building itself, therefore, was not large, but the courtyard was extensive. The Temple building faced eastward. It was oblong and consisted of three rooms of equal width: the porch, or vestibule (ʾulam); the main room of religious service, or Holy Place (hekhal); and the Holy of Holies (devir), the sacred room in which the Ark rested. A storehouse (yaẓiʿa) surrounded the Temple except on its front (east) side.
The First Temple contained five altars: one at the entrance of the Holy of Holies, two others within the building, a large bronze one before the porch, and a large tiered altar in the courtyard. A huge bronze bowl, or “sea,” in the courtyard was used for the priests’ ablutions. Within the Holy of Holies, two cherubim of olive wood stood with the Ark; this innermost sanctuary was considered the dwelling place of the Divine Presence (Shekhina) and could be entered only by the high priest and only on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
Regardless of which home, church, temple, assembly or location you are at or in, may it be a house of prayer. So, much of what we do here, we do together. We want to invite you to JOIN us in Corporate Health Prayers by submitting your prayers in the comments below or via email. After reviewing the prayer requests on the following Friday, we will pray corporately and include your prayer request for health and healing.
If you do not have a church home (place of worship), please let us know that. We believe this is an integral part of your health and healing journey. Although, God is God alone! Stay Tuned for Our Up and Coming Seek & Find Section: where we will offer viewers, readers, members, partners, subscribers, etc. resources and information to learn about and find a local (traditional) place of worship for your Journey with God and his Healing Promises. May God continue to Bless you. We also understand Cora Jakes has prayer resources also.
Would you like US to pray with you, then leave a post (comment) or contact US directly.
What is your faith? How can it impact your health? Why?
Share the wealth of health with your family and friends by sharing this article with 3 people today.
If this article was helpful to you, donate to the Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook E-Magazine Today. Thank you in advance.
Comments