Construction and Renovation of the Temple
Construction of the Temple
184–211
The temple, as I have said, was situated on a commanding hill. At first the level top of this hill was barely extensive enough to accommodate the sanctuary and the altar, with all the surrounding ground either precipitous or steep. King Solomon, the original founder of the temple, then shored up the eastern side…
Josephus offers several detailed descriptions of the Temple in his writings. In this passage from The Jewish War, he describes the Temple’s construction and renovation over many generations, culminating in Herod’s magnificent restoration. Another description of Herod’s project appears in Jewish Antiquities.
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The Jerusalem Temple
Ancient descriptions of the Temple and its material culture indicate that the Jerusalem Temple was the central site of Jewish sacrificial worship.
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