Temple Warning Inscription

1st Century BCE–1st Century CE

A rectangular ancient stone tablet with worn Greek inscriptions carved into its surface, displayed upright in a museum setting. The text is faded and partially eroded, making some letters difficult to read. — A Temple inscription, also referred to as the Temple balustrade inscription or the *soreg* inscription, warns gentiles not to cross the balustrade (*soreg*) around the Temple, as doing so was considered a capital offense. The tablets, written in Latin and Greek so gentiles could read them, were hung on the balustrade at regular intervals. The translation reads: “No stranger is to enter within the balustrade around the Temple and enclosure. Whoever is caught will himself be responsible for his ensuing death.” These inscriptions are mentioned by Josephus, and two such tablets have been discovered in archaeological excavations.

Credits

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

“To the Place of Trumpeting” Inscription

This inscription, written in square Hebrew, refers “to the place of trumpeting,” possibly attesting to a nearby structure from which priests blew the shofar to announce the oncoming Sabbath. The stone…

View Source

Ancient stone ruins and archaeological site near a large stone wall, with hills and scattered buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.

The Southern Staircase

The monumental staircase along the southern wall of the Temple Mount, also known as the southern steps, was excavated by the biblical archaeologist Benjamin Mazar. This staircase is the final approach…

View Source

Exterior view of a historic stone building with arched windows.

The Double Gate

The Double Gate together with the Triple Gate, known as the Huldah Gates, provided entry to the Temple esplanade from the south side of the mount via subterranean ramps. The Double Gate, which…

View Source

Ancient stone ruins with broken columns and scattered stone blocks, surrounded by moss and grass, set within ancient stone walls and partially preserved structures.

Mikvaot in the Temple Complex

The Siloam Pool was a massive stepped pool located at the southern edge of Jerusalem, at the beginning of the pilgrim’s road that led to the Temple Mount. It was first built by King Hezekiah in the…

View Source

Ancient large stone blocks and rubble rest against a weathered stone wall with some sparse greenery.

Shops along the Western Wall

Remains of Herodian shops run along the western wall of the Temple Mount. This street, like the adjacent royal stoa, was one of the commercial and legal hubs of the Temple district. Here, merchants…

View Source

A black-and-white photo of a stone building interior shows a row of large, evenly spaced arched doorways under a vaulted ceiling, with light casting shadows on the sandy floor.

Solomon’s Stables

Underground vaults on the southern side of the Temple Mount supported Herod’s extension of the Temple esplanade. The vaults were supported by eighty-eight pillars resting on massive Herodian blocks…

View Source

Engage with this Source

Details

Public Access

Image