The Second Temple

The Second Temple was a Jewish holy temple that stood on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between 516 BCE and 70 CE. It replaced Solomon’s Temple (the First Temple), which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The construction of the Second Temple was authorized by Cyrus the Great, and it was completed under the leadership of the Jewish governor Zerubbabel. The Second Temple underwent a significant expansion and renovation by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE. The temple was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE during the Siege of Jerusalem.

Background of Second Temple

The Second Temple was built following the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. The construction was led by Zerubbabel, a Jewish governor, and the temple was completed in 516 BCE. The Second Temple served as the spiritual center of the Jewish people until its destruction in 70 CE. Notable people associated with the Second Temple include Cyrus the Great, Zerubbabel, King Herod the Great, and Jesus Christ.

Comparison between the First and Second Temple

The First and Second Temples, while both serving as the center of Jewish worship, had some distinct differences in their structure, contents, and artifacts. The Second Temple lacked several holy articles present in the First Temple (Solomon’s Temple), which were lost after its destruction in 586 BCE.

Artifacts Missing in the Second Temple

1. The Ark of the Covenant and its contents: The Ark, which contained the Tablets of Stone, the pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod, was not present in the Second Temple (1 Kings 8:9; Exodus 16:33; Numbers 17:10).
2. The Urim and Thummim: These objects, contained in the Hoshen (the High Priest’s breastplate), were also missing in the Second Temple (Exodus 28:30).
3. The holy oil: The Second Temple did not have the sacred anointing oil used in the First Temple (Exodus 30:22-33).
4. The sacred fire: The perpetual fire on the altar, which was first kindled by God Himself in the First Temple, was absent in the Second Temple (Leviticus 6:12-13; 9:24).

Differences from the First Temple

1. Holy of Holies: In the Second Temple, the Holy of Holies was separated by curtains rather than a wall, as it had been in the First Temple (1 Kings 6:16; 2 Chronicles 3:14).
2. Architectural Style: The First Temple, built by Solomon, was heavily influenced by Phoenician architectural style and craftsmanship, as skilled Phoenician artisans and materials were employed in its construction (1 Kings 5:13-18; 7:13-14). In contrast, the Second Temple, especially after Herod’s renovation, was influenced by Hellenistic and Roman architectural styles, reflecting the changing cultural and political landscape.
3. Size and Grandeur: The Second Temple, particularly after Herod’s renovation, was larger and more elaborate than the First Temple. Herod’s expansion project included the construction of massive retaining walls, creating a vast platform on which the temple complex stood. The complex included courtyards, colonnades, and other auxiliary structures, making it one of the most impressive religious sites of its time (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11.1-15.11.6).
4. Access and Division: The Second Temple had a more complex system of courts and spaces, with distinct areas designated for different groups. For example, there was the Court of the Gentiles, which was the outermost court accessible to non-Jewish visitors. The inner courts were reserved for Jewish men and women, with further divisions for priests and Levites. The First Temple, on the other hand, had a simpler structure with fewer distinct courts and spaces.
5. Absence of the Shekhinah: The First Temple was characterized by the presence of the Shekhinah, the divine presence of God, which filled the Holy of Holies upon its completion (1 Kings 8:10-11). In contrast, the Second Temple was believed to lack this direct divine presence, possibly due to the absence of the Ark of the Covenant and other key holy articles.
6. Fortifications: While both temples had protective walls surrounding them, the Second Temple’s fortifications were more extensive and sophisticated due to the political and military challenges of the time. The Antonia Fortress, built by Herod the Great, was connected to the Second Temple complex and served as both a protective structure and a symbol of Roman power.

Common Features between Temples

1. Foundation Stone: The Mishnah mentions that the “Foundation Stone,” where the Ark once stood, was present in the Second Temple. The High Priest placed his censer on it during Yom Kippur (Yoma 5:2).
2. Menorah: Both the First and Second Temples contained the Menorah, the seven-branched golden lampstand that burned pure olive oil continuously (Exodus 25:31-40; 1 Kings 7:49).
3. Table of Showbread: The Second Temple, like the First Temple, had the Table of Showbread, where twelve loaves of bread were placed as an offering to God (Exodus 25:23-30; 1 Kings 7:48).
4. Golden altar of incense and golden censers: Both temples featured a golden altar of incense, along with golden censers used by the priests (Exodus 30:1-10; 1 Kings 7:50).

In summary, while the Second Temple maintained some elements of the First Temple, such as the Menorah, the Table of Showbread, and the golden altar of incense, it lacked key holy articles such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Urim and Thummim, the holy oil, and the sacred fire. Additionally, there were structural differences, most notably the separation of the Holy of Holies by curtains rather than a wall.

Worship Practices at the Second Temple

Worship at the Second Temple was an integral part of Jewish religious life during its existence. As the spiritual center of the Jewish people, the Second Temple was the place where numerous religious rituals and ceremonies took place.

Sacrificial Offerings

The central practice at the Second Temple involved sacrificial offerings. Priests conducted animal sacrifices on behalf of the people to atone for sins, express gratitude, or fulfill vows. These offerings included burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings, as prescribed by the Torah (Leviticus 1-7).

Daily Services

The Second Temple had a structured daily service schedule. Each morning and evening, priests offered a lamb as a burnt offering, accompanied by grain offerings and libations (Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:1-8). Additionally, priests were responsible for maintaining the Menorah, the seven-branched lampstand that burned pure olive oil continuously (Exodus 27:20-21).

Festivals and Holy Days

The Second Temple played a central role during the major Jewish festivals, including Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. Jews from all over the region would make pilgrimages to the temple to offer sacrifices and participate in the celebrations.

• Passover: During this festival, Jews commemorated their liberation from slavery in Egypt. Families would bring a lamb or goat to the temple to be sacrificed as the Passover offering (Exodus 12:1-28; Deuteronomy 16:1-8).
• Shavuot: Also known as the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot celebrated the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Offerings of first fruits and two loaves of bread made from the new wheat harvest were brought to the temple (Leviticus 23:15-22; Deuteronomy 16:9-12).
• Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles was an eight-day festival commemorating the Israelites’ 40-year sojourn in the wilderness. Jews would build temporary dwellings (sukkah) and bring various offerings to the temple, including the lulav and etrog (Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:13-17).
• Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year was marked by the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) and special sacrifices at the temple (Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6).
• Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement was the holiest day of the year. The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices on behalf of the entire nation, seeking forgiveness for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16; 23:26-32).

Tithes and Offerings

Tithes and other offerings were brought to the Second Temple to support the priests and Levites, as well as to provide for the poor and needy. These included the firstfruits of the harvest, portions of the produce, and a tenth of the annual income (Numbers 18:21-32; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 26:1-15).

Notable Events

• The construction of the Second Temple (circa 516 BCE) – The temple was completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:8-13).
• The dedication of the Second Temple (circa 516 BCE) – The temple was dedicated with great joy, and the people celebrated by offering numerous sacrifices and observing the Feast of Tabernacles (Ezra 6:16-18).
• The rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean Revolt (164 BCE) – The temple was rededicated by Judas Maccabeus after the successful revolt against the Seleucid Empire (1 Maccabees 4:36-59).
• King Herod’s expansion and renovation of the Second Temple (circa 20-19 BCE) – Herod the Great undertook a massive expansion and renovation project to enhance the temple’s grandeur (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11.1-15.11.6).
• Jesus’ visit to the Second Temple and the cleansing of the temple (circa 27-30 CE) – Jesus visited the temple during his ministry and drove out the money changers, accusing them of turning the temple into a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:13-16).
• The tearing of the temple veil (circa 30 CE) – The veil of the temple, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary, was torn in two from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, symbolizing the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new covenant (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).
• The destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans (70 CE) – The temple was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem, marking the end of the Second Temple period.

Biblical Timeline

• The decree of Cyrus (538 BCE) – Cyrus the Great allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4).
• The construction of the Second Temple (circa 516 BCE) – The temple is completed under Zerubbabel’s leadership (Ezra 3:8-13; 6:14-15).
• The rededication of the Second Temple (164 BCE) – The temple is rededicated by Judas Maccabeus after the successful Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire (1 Maccabees 4:36-59).
• King Herod’s expansion and renovation of the Second Temple (circa 20-19 BCE) – Herod the Great undertakes a massive expansion and renovation project to enhance the temple’s grandeur.
• Jesus’ visit and the cleansing of the temple (circa 27-30 CE) – Jesus visits the temple and drives out the money changers, accusing them of turning the temple into a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46; John 2:13-16).
• The prophecy of the Second Temple’s destruction (circa 30 CE) – Jesus foretells the destruction of the Second Temple (Matthew 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6).
• The destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans (70 CE) – The temple is destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem, marking the end of the Second Temple period.

Additional Notes

Extrabiblical References to Second Temple

• Flavius Josephus: The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus provided detailed accounts of the Second Temple in his works, “The Jewish War” and “Antiquities of the Jews.” These accounts include descriptions of the temple’s structure, the events leading to its destruction, and the aftermath.
• Archaeological Evidence: Numerous archaeological findings, such as the Temple Warning Inscription, the Trumpeting Place inscription, and ritual immersion baths (mikva’ot), provide evidence for the existence and practices of the Second Temple. Additionally, remnants of the temple’s retaining walls, including the Western Wall, can still be seen in Jerusalem today.
• Dead Sea Scrolls: Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating from the Second Temple period, provide insights into the religious practices and beliefs of the Jewish community at that time.