Second Temple
The Second Temple was the Temple of Jerusalem , rebuilt in 515 BC. BC after the Babylonian captivity , as reported in the book of Nehemiah , and destroyed in the year 70 by the Romans, after a revolt which lasted four years.
During this period he was the cultural and spiritual center of Judaism , and the place of ritual sacrifice ( korbanot ).
It followed the First Temple, also known as the Temple of Solomon was destroyed in 586 BC. JC , both on the same date in the Jewish tradition: the 9th of Av.
Summary |
A Nation reorganized
After the return from captivity, under the leadership of Zerubbabel , son of small- Joaquin appointed governor of Judea, and the High Priest Yeshua, arrangements were almost immediately taken to identify and make his greatness in the Kingdom of Judah , destroyed and abandoned 70 years earlier.
The pilgrims, numbering 42,360, including children, have just traveled a long tiring journey of four months from the banks of the Euphrates to Jerusalem. The religious fervor that animates their command to restore the place of worship, rebuilding the destroyed Temple and re-establishing the ritual of sacrifice ( korban ).
At the instigation of Zerubbabel, who personally detest of 1000 drams of gold (among others present), the people offer their goods quickly to fill the sacred treasury ( Ezra 2).
They erect the altar of God to his old location specific, and rid the site of the First Temple debris. The second month of the second year ( 535 BC. JC ), the foundations of the Second Temple are laid, amid great demonstrations of joy (as Psalms 116, 117, 118).
This movement was followed with great interest, although with mixed reactions by spectators of these events, that is to say the non-exiled from Judea ( Haggai 2:3, Zechariah 4:10).
Meanwhile, the Persian government, alarmed by the zeal of the Judeans, preferred to recall Zerubbabel, whose ancestry has raised hopes Davidic messianic considerable.
The Samaritans offers
The Samaritans offered their cooperation in the reconstruction project, but they turned down the formal part of Zerubbabel, Yeshua and the elders, saying that the Judea must rebuild their temple without help. Malicious rumors against Jews spread immediately. According to Ezra 4:5, the Samaritans sought to "frustrate their purpose," sending messages to Ecbatana and Suse, which had the effect of suspending the work.
Monarchs
Seven years after these events, Cyrus the Great , who ordered and declared the rebuilding of the Temple, dies (2 Chronicles 36: 22-23). His son Cambyses II succeeded him. At his death, the "false Smerdis , "an impostor, usurps the throne for seven to eight months before being dismissed by Darius (inducted in 522 BC. JC ).
It was during the second year of the reign of this monarch the work of rebuilding the Temple took over and led (Ezra 5: 6-17; 6:1-15), under the orders, advice and additions of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
The Temple was ready to be spent during the spring of 515 BC. AD , more than twenty years after the return from the Babylonian captivity.
Differences between the two Temples
The Second Temple could not have the luster of the first. In addition, some items had been permanently lost or destroyed, and could not be replaced: the Ark of the Covenant , The Urim and Thummim , the holy oil, the sacred fire, the tables of the Decalogue , the pot of manna , and the stick of Aaron.
As in the Tabernacle , there was the Second Temple in a single candlestick of gold to the shrine, a table of bread show the altar with incense censers of gold. Many gold vessels that had belonged to the First Temple and were carried to Babylon, had been delivered by Cyrus (Ezra 1:7-11).
The Second Temple was also distinguished by its Prime "trees planted in the courtyards of the Lord", while Prime did not. The Second Temple had also, again unlike the First, part of which yard could request the proselytes , who worshiped God , but were not subject to the laws of Judaism.
Completion of the Second Temple
Once completed the building of the temple, he was consecrated and sacrifices were resumed, amid great jubilation of all the people (Ezra 6:16), although it seemed so obvious that the Jews were longer an independent people, but subject to an external power, although they are autonomous.
The book of Haggai contains a prediction (2:9) that the glory of the Second Temple would surpass that of Premier. This temple, during different periods of its existence, is often regarded by believers as a single house, the only house of God.
However, some commentators as Abravanel Hall felt that this was only a pale copy of the old, one of the vicissitudes of exile, which he said lasted since the destruction of the Temple of Solomon.
Christian Interpretations
Many Christians argue that the glory predicted by Haggai was spiritual, not physical, in that Jesus would be present during his life in the Second Temple.
For Catholics, the temple was transformed into the Church. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of his mystical body and the Eucharist as the true temple. See the Encyclical Mediator Dei of Pius XII.
Other Christians Renovation under Herod Around the year 19, Herod the Great began a massive renovation and expansion of the Second Temple. The resulting monument is sometimes called the Temple of Herod , not to be confused with the Third Temple. In 66, the Jewish population rebelled against the Roman Empire. Four years later, in 70 the Roman legions led by Titus reconquered and destroyed Jerusalem, including the Second Temple. This event, particularly painful in the history of the Jews, is commemorated each year on the 9th of Av. Destruction
The huge stones that supported the Second Temple still standing References See also
Jewish Quarter Muslim Quarter Christian Quarter Armenian Quarter Temple Mount Doors
(Designated by numbers on map)
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