The Biblical Temples

Explore the magnificent houses of God — from Solomon's golden temple to Herod's grand expansion. Learn the dimensions, furnishings, and eternal significance.

The House of the LORD

1 Kings 6:1-2 (KJ3)
"And it happened in the four hundred and eightieth year from the going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in the fourth year, in the month of Zif, it is the second month, in the reigning of Solomon over Israel he built the house for Jehovah. As to the house that King Solomon built for Jehovah, its length was sixty cubits, its breadth twenty, and its height thirty cubits."

The temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for ancient Israel — the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Understanding its design reveals profound truths about approaching a holy God.

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One Way

Only one entrance — foreshadowing Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)

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Increasing Holiness

From outer courts to Holy of Holies — progressively approaching God's presence

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Blood Required

Sacrifices offered continually — pointing to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice

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God's Dwelling

The Shekinah glory filled the temple — God tabernacling with His people

📏 Cubit Converter

The royal cubit used in temple construction was approximately 20.4 inches (51.8 cm).

=
102 ft
31.1 m
Hebrews 9:1-5 (KJ3)
"Truly, then, the first covenant also had ordinances of service, and the earthly holy place. For the tabernacle was prepared, the first, in which was both the lampstand and the table, and the setting out of the loaves, which is called holy. But behind the second veil is a tabernacle, being called Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant covered around on all sides with gold, in which was the golden pot having the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it the cherubs of glory overshadowing the mercy seat."

Solomon's Temple (First Temple)

Built circa 966-959 BC • Destroyed 586 BC by Babylon

Floor Plan — Solomon's Temple

Outer Court Inner Court (Court of Priests) Altar Bronze Sea 10 Lavers Porch Jachin Boaz Holy Place 🕎 Holy of Holies 👼👼 60 cubits (102 ft / 31m) 20 cubits (34 ft / 10m) 20 cubits

Select an area to learn more

Click on any part of the temple diagram to see detailed information about that area, including dimensions, materials, and biblical significance.

Construction Details

1 Kings 6:7 (KJ3)
"And when it was being built, the house was built of finished stone made ready beforehand. And there was not heard in the house a hammer or an axe, or any iron tool, while it was being built."
Length
60 cubits
≈ 102 ft / 31 m
Width
20 cubits
≈ 34 ft / 10 m
Height
30 cubits
≈ 51 ft / 16 m
Build Time
7 years
966-959 BC
2 Chronicles 3:8 (KJ3)
"And he built the Most Holy House, its length was the same as the front, as of the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and its breadth twenty cubits; and he covered it with good gold, to six hundred talents."

Materials & Craftsmen

1 Kings 7:13-14 (KJ3)
"And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram out of Tyre. He was the son of a widow woman of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father a man of Tyre, an engraver in bronze. And he was filled with the wisdom and understanding and knowledge to do all work in bronze."
  • Gold: 600 talents for Holy of Holies alone (~20 tons)
  • Cedar: From Lebanon, overlaid entire interior
  • Bronze: Cast in Jordan plain — pillars, sea, lavers
  • Stone: Quarried and pre-cut — no tools heard on site
  • Fine Fabrics: Violet, purple, crimson for the veil

Herod's Temple (Second Temple Expansion)

Begun 19 BC • Work continued 46+ years • Destroyed 70 AD

Temple Mount Layout — Herod's Temple

Court of the Gentiles Royal Stoa (Solomon's Porch) Soreg (Barrier) Court of Women Beautiful Gate Nicanor Gate Israel Court of Priests Altar Holy Place Holy of Holies Fortress Antonia Pinnacle

Select an area to learn more

Click on any part of the temple diagram to see detailed information. Herod's Temple was a massive expansion that made the Second Temple one of the wonders of the ancient world.

John 2:19-21 (KJ3)
"Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then the Jews said, This temple was forty-six years being built, and do You raise it up in three days? But He spoke about the temple of His body."

Herod's Grand Expansion

Temple Mount
~35 acres
Doubled the platform
Height (Porch)
100 cubits
≈ 170 ft / 52 m
Stone Blocks
Up to 570 tons
Largest ever quarried
Construction
46+ years
19 BC – 63 AD
Matthew 24:1-2 (KJ3)
"And going out, Jesus left the temple. And His disciples came near to show Him the buildings of the temple. But Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, Not will be left one stone on a stone which not will be thrown down, not one!"

Historical Note: This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when Roman forces under Titus destroyed the temple. The Western Wall (Wailing Wall) that remains today was part of Herod's retaining wall, not the temple itself.

Temple Furnishings

Each item rich with symbolism pointing to Christ

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Ark of the Covenant

אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית (Aron HaBerit)

Gold-covered chest containing the tablets, manna, and Aaron's rod. God's throne on earth.

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Mercy Seat

כַּפֹּרֶת (Kapporet)

Pure gold lid with two cherubim. Where blood was sprinkled on Day of Atonement.

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Altar of Incense

מִזְבַּח הַקְּטֹרֶת (Mizbach HaKetoret)

Gold altar before the veil. Incense burned morning and evening — prayers ascending.

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Golden Lampstand

מְנוֹרָה (Menorah)

Seven-branched lamp of pure gold. Only light in the Holy Place — Christ the Light.

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Table of Showbread

שֻׁלְחַן לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים

Gold table with 12 loaves, changed weekly. Christ the Bread of Life for all tribes.

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Bronze Altar

מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה (Mizbach HaOlah)

20x20x10 cubits. Where burnt offerings were made. No approach to God without sacrifice.

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Bronze Sea

יָם מוּצָק (Yam Mutsak)

10 cubits diameter, 5 cubits high, on 12 oxen. Held ~12,000 gallons for priestly washing.

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Ten Bronze Lavers

כִּיּוֹרוֹת (Kiyorot)

Five on each side. For washing sacrifices. Each held 40 baths (~230 gallons).

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Jachin & Boaz

יָכִין וּבֹעַז

Two bronze pillars, 18 cubits high. "He establishes" and "In Him is strength."

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The Veil

פָּרֹכֶת (Parochet)

Separated Holy Place from Holy of Holies. Torn from top to bottom at Christ's death.

Temple Comparison

Tabernacle → Solomon's Temple → Herod's Temple

Feature Tabernacle (Moses) Solomon's Temple Herod's Temple
Date ~1445 BC 966-959 BC 19 BC – 70 AD
Built By Bezalel & Oholiab Solomon & Hiram Herod the Great
Holy Place Length 20 cubits (34 ft) 40 cubits (68 ft) 40 cubits (68 ft)
Holy of Holies 10 × 10 × 10 cubits 20 × 20 × 20 cubits 20 × 20 × 20 cubits
Height 10 cubits (17 ft) 30 cubits (51 ft) 100 cubits (170 ft) — porch
Structure Portable tent Stone & cedar Massive stone blocks
Outer Covering Goat hair, rams' skins Stone walls, cedar beams White stone & gold
Lampstands 1 menorah 10 menorahs (5 each side) 1 menorah (restored)
Tables of Showbread 1 table 10 tables 1 table
Washing Basin Bronze laver Bronze Sea + 10 lavers Bronze Sea
Ark of Covenant ✓ Present ✓ Present (until 586 BC) ✗ Lost
Shekinah Glory ✓ Present ✓ Present (dedication) ✗ Absent
Court Divisions 1 outer court Inner & Outer courts Gentiles, Women, Israel, Priests
Destruction Faded from history 586 BC (Babylon) 70 AD (Rome)

Notable Differences

  • Scale: Each successive temple was larger — Herod's Temple Mount was 35 acres
  • Glory: Only Solomon's Temple saw the Shekinah glory fill the house
  • Contents: Herod's Temple lacked the Ark, Urim & Thummim, and sacred fire
  • Access: Herod added courts with barriers — even a death warning for Gentiles
  • Duration: Tabernacle ~480 years, Solomon's ~380 years, Herod's ~90 years
Haggai 2:3, 9
"Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? ... The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts."

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus Christ — God incarnate — walked in Herod's Temple.

Temple Timeline

From wilderness tent to magnificent temple to prophetic future

~1445 BC

Tabernacle Constructed

Moses builds the Tabernacle at Sinai according to the pattern shown on the mountain. God's glory fills the tent.

~1400 BC

Tabernacle at Shiloh

Joshua establishes the Tabernacle at Shiloh where it remains through the period of the Judges.

~1000 BC

David's Desire

King David desires to build a house for the LORD but is told his son would build it. David prepares materials.

966 BC

Solomon Begins Building

480 years after the Exodus, Solomon begins temple construction in the fourth year of his reign.

959 BC

Temple Dedicated

After 7 years, the temple is complete. God's glory fills the house so priests cannot stand to minister.

586 BC

First Temple Destroyed

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the temple. The Ark is lost. 70-year exile begins.

516 BC

Second Temple Completed

Zerubbabel completes the modest Second Temple. Elders who saw Solomon's Temple weep at the contrast.

19 BC

Herod Begins Expansion

Herod the Great begins massive expansion of the Temple Mount and rebuilding of the temple proper.

~30 AD

Jesus Ministers in Temple

Christ teaches in the temple courts, cleanses the merchants, and prophesies its destruction.

~33 AD

Veil Torn

At Christ's death, the temple veil tears from top to bottom, opening access to God for all believers.

70 AD

Second Temple Destroyed

Roman legions under Titus destroy Jerusalem and the temple. Jesus' prophecy fulfilled — not one stone left on another.

Test Your Knowledge

See how well you know the Biblical temples

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