Temple

Temple

The biblical temple holds a central place in the theology and spirituality of the Judeo-Christian tradition. It symbolizes the dwelling place of God on earth (Exodus 25:8), representing the intimate relationship between God and His people. The temple serves as a bridge between the divine and human realms, facilitating worship, atonement, and the communication of God's presence.

There are two major temples mentioned in the Bible: Solomon's Temple (First Temple) and the Second Temple. Solomon's Temple, built in Jerusalem in the 10th century BCE, was the center of Israelite worship and symbolized the unity of the people under the Davidic dynasty. It was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Second Temple was built after the return of the exiled Israelites, under Persian rule, started in 538 BCE and completed in 516 BCE, marking the end of the 70-year exile period prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah. This temple was later expanded by King Herod that began around 20 BCE. The main part of the construction was completed in about a decade and a half, but additional work and embellishments continued for several more decades, even until 63 CE, just a few years before the temple's eventual destruction in 70 CE by the Romans.

The theological message of the biblical temple revolves around the presence of God, holiness, and the covenant between God and His people. The temple serves as a constant reminder of God's love, grace, and desire for communion with His creation. It also emphasizes the importance of obedience, purity, and holiness, as the temple was a sacred space where only priests could enter and perform specific rituals.

The significance of the biblical temple extends beyond its physical structure. It serves as an archetype for the ideal relationship between God and His people, as well as a model for personal and collective spiritual growth. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the new temple, embodying the presence of God among humanity. Furthermore, the apostle Paul describes believers as "temples of the Holy Spirit," emphasizing the indwelling of God within each believer.

Surely God is good to Israel (Psalm 73)

Psalm 73 is one of the Psalms of Asaph (see 50 and 74-83). It is numbered as 73 in Masoretic numbering while in Septuagint and Vulgate the numbering it is 72. This psalm is raising a topic of prosperity of righteous and wicked people. For the author, as he observes, it seems like those who are...

144
Hebrew
29

The Lord will Dwell in Zion (Zechariah 2:14-17)

The passage Zechariah 2:14-17 offers profound theological insights. It foregrounds the divine promise of God's immanent presence amongst His people, indicating an intimate and benevolent relationship between the Divine and His followers. This presence denotes more than mere proximity. It suggests...

44
Hebrew
73

Cleansing of the Temple (John 2:13-22)

The story of Cleansing of the Temple seems to be presenting Jesus in a violent way. In this way, we are not used to imagining him. What happened to the kind and loving Jesus, the Lord of love? It is challenging to find a balance between these pictures. To understand the story we need a little help...

74
Greek
71

New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5)

God's temple is one of the great stories throughout Bible (Gen 1-3; Ex 25-42; 1 Kings 6-9; Ez 40-48; John 1; 15; Rev 21-22). Therefore it is natural that we are encountering it in the end of the Bible, in the book of Revelation 21:1-22:5. Here again, as in the whole book of Revelation,...

227
Greek
55