Temple of Solomon - the main shrine of Jerusalem in antiquity

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Solomon's Temple was one of the most impressive architectural structures in Jerusalem. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times, but in 70 AD. was razed to the ground by the armies of Rome.

The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem was erected on a 9-foot platform. A staircase with 10 steps led to its entrance, columns were located on both sides of it, the names of which have come down to us as Boaz and Jachin. The meaning of these names, unfortunately, has not yet been figured out.

The Temple of King Solomon was divided into three parts inside. One of them was a sanctuary in which there were several windows under the ceiling. The floor was made of cypress boards, and the walls were sheathed with cedar. This part had a flat roof supported by large logs. The doors and walls were decorated with flowers, palm trees, chains and cherubs.

Temple of Solomon had one more room, which housed church utensils. There was a small altar carved from cedar, with gold trim, as well as various lamps and a table for loaves. The location of the altar is the same as in the Canaanite temples - right in front of the stairs leading to the next room.

The third room was called"Holy of Holies," and it was the abode of God. It had no windows, but there were two 15-foot cherubs trimmed with gold. Their outer wings reached the walls, while the inner wings touched each other in the very center of the hall. It is believed that this is where the "Ark of the Covenant" was located.

Solomon's temple also had a courtyard located in front of it. There was an altar for offerings, which looked like the famous tower of Babel (ziggurat) and the copper sea.

This temple took 7 years to build, in the 10th century BC. On the Feast of Tabernacles, it was consecrated, and the "Ark of the Covenant" was brought into it. After that, King Solomon entered it and said a prayer, after which the fire descended from heaven and scorched the sacrifices presented to the Lord on the altar.

The most grandiose and solemn services have always been held here. Sometimes the servants of the temple could not even continue the service, because with a large crowd of people in elegant clothes, singing and sounding music, it was filled with a cloud of the Glory of the Lord.

Alas, this temple was not destined to exist for a long time. Three and a half centuries later, Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, and the temple was destroyed to the ground. The Jewish people were captured, and the ark has not been known since.

After the return of Jerusalem, the temple was rebuilt, but it was no longer so beautiful, which people very much regretted. During the reign of King Herod, the temple wasexpanded and richly decorated, it began to look like a shining mountain peak. But, unfortunately, the troops of the Roman Empire destroyed it, this time for good.

Today, only a small section of the western wall remains of it, not far from Mount Moria, on top of which it was located. This place is called the Wailing Wall and is the greatest shrine among the Jews.

Solomon's Temple was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Jerusalem, and it is thanks to him that today this city is the greatest religious center, which attracts pilgrims from all over the world.