Guide
Significance and Meaning of the Jerusalem Temple in Early Jewish Writing
2nd Century BCE–6th Century CE
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
Ancient Jewish writers offered symbolic interpretations of the Temple and its features and elaborated on its significance and sanctity.
Related Primary Sources
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The Universe as a Temple
On the Special Laws 1.66–67
The highest, and in the truest sense the holy, temple of God is, as we must believe, the whole universe, having for its sanctuary the most sacred part of all existence, even heaven, for its votive…
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Philo on the Symbolism of the Tabernacle
On the Life of Moses 2.102–124 (selections)
The candlestick he placed at the south, figuring thereby the movements of the luminaries above; for the sun and the moon and the…
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Josephus on the Symbolism of the Tabernacle
Jewish Antiquities 3.179–187
Now some might wonder at the hatred people have for us, which they profess to show on account of our despising the deity whom they themselves profess to honor. For if anyone observes the construction…
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Josephus on the Symbolism of the Temple
The Jewish War 5.212–214, 217–218
In front of these doors hung a curtain of equal length, a Babylonian tapestry worked in blue, linen-white, scarlet, and purple. This was a wonderful piece of artistry, but the combination of colours…
Primary Source
The Temple Mount as the Navel of the World
Jubilees 8:19
He knew that the Garden of Eden is the holy of holies and is the residence of the Lord; [that] Mount Sinai is in the middle of the desert; and [that] Mount Zion is in the middle of the navel of the…
Primary Source
The Temple Mount as the Foundation of the World
b. Yoma 54b
[There was a stone in the holy of holies,] and it was called Foundation [shetiyah]. It was taught that the world was founded from it. This teaching is in accordance with the one who said that the…