The perspective drawings in this book have been done by James E. Snook. He prepared these drawings from simple “line drawings” I had made. Since I did not have the expertise to make the more complicated type of drawing, he consented to do them for me. They give a much better picture of the buildings. His help is much appreciated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. A VISION OF THE WORLD TOMORROW
The Pillars of in God’s Temple, A Pattern of Things in Heaven, Ezekiel Saw the World Tomorrow, Is the Temple a Part of the Gospel? Scriptures Regarding the Temple Neglected, God Inspired Many Chapter about the Temple, We Can Understand, Do You Love the Gates to the Temple, God Will Be There
There Are Only Three Basic Sources, Bible Inspired, Josephus a Secondary Source, The Mishna a Little Help, Septuagint is Faulty, Three Reasons for Error, Is the Text in Error, We Must Not Follow Error, The Scriptures Are the Only Sure Guide, “Here a Little--There a Little,” How Long is a Cubit
III. HOW LONG IS THE TEMPLE CUBIT
Three Different Cubits, Bible Shows Change in the Cubit, Three Jewish Cubits
God is the Architect, The Five Basic Sections, The Ulam-- or Porch, The Hekal--or Holy Place, The Debir--or Holy of Holies, The Side Chambers, Entrance to the Side Chambers, The Upper Chambers, The Walls, A Brief Summary, The Basement, The Doors, The Engravings and Overlays, The Porch “Face,” Construction Materials
V. THE PILLARS, JACHIN AND BOAZ
The Pillars, The Capitals, The Two Bowls, The Lily Work, The Nets of Checker-Work, The Pomegranates, The Chain Work,
VI. THE GATES
The Wall, The Eastern Gate, Entry of the Gate, More About the Cells, Other Dimensions Given, The Porch is Sixty Cubits High, The Arches, Windows in the Arches, The Porch of the Gate, Six Gates, A Summary
What is the Lord’s House, The Courts are Foursquare, The Thirty Chambers, Four “Kitchens,” Two Large Three Story Buildings, What Are the Galleries, Here are the Pillars of God’s Temple, What is a “Way,” Another East Wall, The Entries, The Two Dining Halls for Priests, Another Building on the West, The Inner Court, Two More Buildings, Were Solomon’s Courts Like Ezekiel’s, The Altar and Other Items
VIII. WILL THE TEMPLE BE BUILT ON MOUNT MORIAH
What is the Correct Name, Solomon Did Not Build the Temple on Zion, Which Way is Up, Modern Zion, Prophecies Concerning Zion, Zion is the Extreme Southeastern Hill, Zion To Be Raised
IX. TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE CONTRASTED
Tabernacle in the Wilderness, No Porch in the Tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, Herod’s Temple
X. MOUNT ZION STANDS MOST BEAUTIFUL
Conclusions Startling, This is a City, Dazzling to the Eyes
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Temple--East Side
2. Temple Floor Plan (Line Drawing)
3. Temple Floor Plan
4. Temple--South Side
5. Side Chambers--Cut Away End View
6. Temple--Perspective View
7. Pillars and Capitals
8. Gate Floor Plan (Line Drawing)
9. Gate Floor Plan
10. Gate--Perspective View
11. Buildings and Courts Overall Plan (Line drawing)
12. Buildings and Courts Overall Plan
13. Perspective View of Priests Dining Halls
14. Temple and Courts--Perspective View
15. Model by Edward Russell (deceased)
A VISION OF THE WORLD TOMORROW
We live in an amazing and yet frightening age. These times are unlike any since man was put on the earth
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In an age when mankind is in special need of God we find man has cut himself off from God. He is cut off from the only source that can tell him of things to come.
Without the correct knowledge of Bible prophecies, only uncertainty and doubt face the inquiring mind. To avoid the unpleasantness of thinking about events to come ‑ of possible world annihilation, most people in the Western world have resorted to pleasure and material goods to gratify the desires of the flesh. Man wants to hide from the realities that lie immediately ahead.
The man who has put his trust in God looks on beyond this present evil and upset world. He looks past the soon‑coming catastrophes to the world tomorrow. That new world will bring peace and happiness for the whole world. It will bring abundance and prosperity to all mankind.
The Pillars in God's Temple
Just as Daniel wrote (Daniel 12:4), knowledge has been increased in this time of the end. Part of the knowledge which God has increased concerns the many prophecies of the Bible.
God has promised that the overcomer of the Philadelphia era of God's Church will become a "pillar" in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12).
This is speaking symbolically of a position of authority in the headquarters of the world, which will be at a new Temple to be built in Jerusalem. Do you know where the pillars are located in God's temple? Most people know that there are two large pillars that stand in front of the temple, but are they the physical types of the offices to which Christ refers?
The saints of this era who do overcome and endure to the end will be right at this temple of God. They will be here for the one thousand year period, and even on through the following one hundred year period (Is. 65:17‑25). If you are one of God's faithful saints in this age, you will be assigned at the temple for this whole period. Here is an opportunity for you to have described, right now from your own Bible the description of that wonderful place, God's Temple in prophecy.
A Pattern of Things in Heaven
The book of Hebrews reveals that the tabernacle in the wilderness (which was of the same general pattern as the temple), was built after the pattern of things in the heavens (Heb. 8:5, 9:23‑24). The former temple and the one to come are constructed by men as a special dwelling place for God on this earth. These buildings made with hands are "figures (or copies, RSV), of the true (which is in heaven)."
When we therefore come to fully understand the details of the physical temple we also can better understand the temple and dwelling place of God in heaven. Many of the prophecies in the Bible are pictured from God's throne in the heavens. In the book of Revelation there are several places where God's temple in heaven is specifically mentioned.
In a sense, then, we are privileged not only to understand physical things by this study, but we are also able in the "mind's eye" to see dimly into the very throne and temple of God in heaven.
Christ spoke through His disciples on several occasions concerning this house (the Temple) of His Father. On one occasion He referred to the house as having many rooms (incorrectly translated "mansions") (John 14:2). In this particular place He was referring more specifically to the spiritual offices that He will give to the saints at His coming.
Because of His allusion here to the Temple of God during the millennium, it certainly ought to be interesting to the Christian to know how many rooms there will be in that temple. What will be their size and location? What is their purpose? Christ here was emphasizing the fact that there were many offices to be filled, and not a few.
The Bible describes the many and various kinds of rooms or chambers in the temple. It also numbers them and gives their specific locations. Do you know how many there are, or where they are located? This book will show just how many there are, where they are located, and just where they are described in the Bible.
Ezekiel saw the World Tomorrow
The prophet Ezekiel was projected forward in time through many centuries to the soon‑coming world tomorrow (Ezekiel, chapters 40 to 48). In this particular vision he even saw God's temple from which Christ will rule the whole earth! He saw the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords in His new kingdom, the Kingdom of God. He saw the glory of Christ which will then fill the whole earth. Ezekiel was inspired of God to write of that world tomorrow. It was recorded and handed down to us today so that we might understand the details of the marvelous temple of God in prophecy.
Many scriptures in the Bible show us that all nations will come to Jerusalem to worship God (Zech. 14). They will come to the very temple that Ezekiel describes. In that day, the nations of the earth will come to see the glory of Christ and the beauty of His Temple.
God has preserved a description of this temple for us to understand. It has not been placed in the Bible in vain. It is there for God's people to view and understand. It is this particular temple described by Ezekiel which is here described and explained in detail in this book.
But in order to understand correctly the details of this particular temple, it will be necessary to come to understand little‑known details of Solomon's temple, since both are designed after the same pattern.
We will also have a better idea of what the tabernacle in the wilderness was like. It was also patterned after the same manner, except for smaller dimensions.
Is the Temple a Part of the Gospel?
God has commissioned His Church go into all the world and preach the gospel. God's Church is doing just that. Do the details of God's Temple have any connection with the gospel?
To answer this question, we must first understand what the gospel is. It is, in simple language, good news. What is this good news about? It is the good news concerning the coming Kingdom of God. It is the advance news concerning the soon‑coming government of God on this earth.
Jesus Christ is coming again, but this time He will come to rule the world. He will rule from Mount Zion, from His Holy Temple. Since Christ will rule from His Temple in the soon‑coming kingdom, then any information about this temple is a part of the good news concerning Christ's soon‑coming kingdom. This particular part of the good news concerning the coming Kingdom of God is probably the least understood.
Why is this?
Scriptures Regarding the Temple Neglected
The sections in the Bible concerning the temple are the parts that are so often skipped. Since it is not easy to understand, and since it concerns primarily physical things, it is of little interest to many people.
One man has aptly described the situation in the following way. "Most people skip over the part concerning the temple since it is hard to understand, just like they skip portions concerning the genealogies of who 'begat who.'"
Since the portions of the Bible concerning the temple are sometimes relegated to a similar category with the genealogies they are among the parts least understood.
On the other hand, some of the Biblical scholars have spent years, and even decades of their lives trying to understand this one small phase of the Bible. We must have a right balance. The parts in the Bible concerning God's Temple are comparatively very small, but nevertheless include many chapters.
The scholars who have studied on this particular subject have often not permitted the Bible to correct and reprove them. Many have leaned to their own understanding on this subject, and therefore they have not been able to come to the correct answers. There are no drawings or photographs of what God's Temples have been like. The only reliable record we have is in the Bible. For clarification of what the Bible says it is necessary to write the description in modern easy‑to‑understand English and convert that information to a drawing or picture to convey what is meant. It is not quite as easy as it may sound however, since the Bible account of the temple has purposely been clouded and difficult to understand.
Even though it is difficult to understand in some places, there is no need to skip this portion of the Bible in our private Bible study. The Apostle Paul said that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (II Timothy 3:16). Therefore, this particular portion of the Bible can be profitable for us today. God has included it in the Bible for us to understand.
God Inspired Many Chapters About the Temple
The tabernacle in the wilderness, the houses where God has dwelt here on this earth, and will dwell during the coming age take up many chapters in the Bible. Even though this is not one of the most important things during this time, it is important enough that God has devoted considerable portions of the Bible to it.
Several chapters in the book of Exodus are devoted exclusively to the description of the tabernacle. When Solomon built a house for God to dwell in, we find again that several chapters were necessary to give adequate description.
Following the captivity, Joshua and Zerubbabel built another temple. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which were written a little later gave information about this temple, the wall, and the city of Jerusalem. In fact, much of the book of Ezra rehearses the details of the rebuilding of the temple. It is even further mentioned in the books of Haggai and Zechariah. In fact, the whole book of Haggai concerns this subject.
When it comes to the description of Herod's temple, very little is said in scripture. And yet, there are many allusions or comments concerning it by Christ and the apostles.
For the millennium to come God has inspired several chapters in the book of Ezekiel to the description of His Holy Temple.
In summary then, there are more than seven chapters in the Bible which deal solely with the description of God's Temple. There are other chapters dealing with the tabernacle. Many other chapters have been inspired which give us the history concerning the building of these various temples.
In addition, there are many prophecies concerning various aspects of the temple. And there are many incidental verses in the Bible concerning the tabernacle in the wilderness and these temples.
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In all, there are approximately thirty or forty chapters in the Bible which concern the description of the temple, its history and prophecy. If they were all compiled in one place, there would be a book which might possibly be as large as the book of Deuteronomy.
We Can Understand
Since God has left so much information in His Word about this subject, it certainly is one that we should understand. It will help us in our own personal study of the Bible if we understand God's Temples, whenever we read the various scriptures concerning them. With this information we will be better able to understand certain historical and prophetical texts in the Bible which refer to the temple.
Many religious scholars do not understand God's temple in most of its important details. There is no work available which always follows the Bible description to my knowledge. In this particular work, the Bible will be the basis for understanding, not the various ideas of men.
Chapter II will give many more details regarding this particular point.
The apostle Paul stated, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16). That includes these various scriptures concerning God's Temple.
Do You Love the Gates to the Temple?
God has given the descendents of Jacob the choicest of the lands of this earth as promised to Abraham. He has blessed them with every conceivable blessing both individually and nationally. He has given us such beauties in nature as the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, the Rocky Mountains, the Alps, the Fjords. He has given us many of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. These all are prophetically a part of the "dwellings of Jacob."
Since God has given us such a choice heritage, it would be easy to think that God would regard these beautiful sights with great love. Even though these places are so often beautiful beyond description, they do not compare at all to the love that God has for even the gates to His Temple.
"The Lord loveth the gates of Zion (at the Temple) more than all the dwellings of Jacob" (Psalms 87:2).
Since God loves even the gates to His Temple, we also ought to know more about it, and to begin to love what God has planned and designed to be His capital in the world tomorrow. He calls this temple His Holy Temple in many places in scripture. If it is a holy place then we should learn to reverence and respect it, just as we should reverence and respect all those things that are holy to God.
David looked forward to the coming world tomorrow to the time when he again would be king over Israel. In that time to come, he will be at Jerusalem, at the very Temple of God. He was inspired to write of this time in the Psalms 84:11.
"For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand; I had rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"
Just what are the courts of God like? How many are there, what is their shape, their dimension? Are there buildings in the courts, or is it just open ground? Is there a wall around the exterior? How high is the wall? How many gates are there and where are they located? What are the gates like? These are just physical aspects of the temple which may help us picture what beauty God has designed for His people.
God Will be There
Even though these physical aspects are important, the most important part, the part that makes the Temple of God so grand and glorious is that Jesus Christ, in all of His glory will be there.
"Afterward he brought me to the gate that looketh toward the east; and, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth did shine with his glory. . .And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. And a spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. And I heard one speaking unto me out of the house; and a man stood by me. And He said unto me: "Son of man, this is the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever" (Ezekiel 43:1‑7).
Do you understand the physical aspects of the preceding scripture? Where is the east gate? What is it like? What is the inner court and where is it located?
Do you know what the pillars named Jachin and Boaz are like? They are not what some lodges thinks they are, nor are they like the scholars picture them to be.
Where will this millennial temple be located? Will it be where the former temples were located? The answer is almost stranger than fiction, and yet the Bible gives the answer plainly and clearly, when you come to see it in the Bible.
Do you know the differences between the various temples that have been built, and the one to come? Was Zerubbabel's temple the same as Solomon's? These and many other questions will be answered right out of the pages of your own Bible.
But before we can understand what the temple is really going to be like, we must first determine why there is so much confusion in the many works on this subject that have already been written. We also must establish a sure and firm foundation as a basis for this work. It is not just another work based on unsure facts, which will not stand, because it will be based on the Bible. The next chapter will show the error of these other works and establish the basis for this present work.
WHY SUCH CONFUSION?
Many religious scholars do not really know what God's temples were like. They are divided in their conclusions. Each man has his own opinion. Even in major points they sometimes disagree completely.
By comparing the usual drawings and models of Solomon's temple, it is immediately noted that no two of them are alike. Some of them are so different in appearance that you would not have any idea that they apparently came from the same description. These differences are sometimes so great that they are opposite extremes in design.
If you described to one architect a house you wanted built, giving the basic dimensions, and then presented the same information to another architect, you would expect both of them to make similar plans and drawings. When it comes to the scholars' and architects' drawing plans for the temples described in the Bible, this is not so.
With such a wide variation as now exists, the interested person is completely confused. Which author is correct, or is any one correct? What is the basis used in making these drawings and models?
If you examine the writings of most researchers in the light of the Bible, you will soon notice that there are in every case major and minor differences that are contrary to the Bible.
Before we answer the question of why so many differences, it is necessary to understand certain basic problems about this subject.
There are only three Basic Sources
In researching this subject, you would naturally look to the Bible for most of your information. Then you might check a Bible Commentary or Bible Dictionary, or possibly an Encyclopedia. In checking these obvious sources, you would also notice what their sources of information were.
Many of their sources will be certain authorities who have made extensive studies on the subject. Some of these men have spent most of their lives on this one subject. One famed authority spent thirty‑five years of his life to draw and describe Solomon's temple. Yet, his particular drawings, very beautifully and skillfully done, appear in no point like any of the other authorities. The style of architecture is entirely different from all the others, in fact, it is probably one which is furthest from the truth.
But where did these authorities get their information? The surprising answer is that there are only three original sources that all of this information has come from!
When it gets down to the basis of it all, there are only these three main sources for information, the Bible, Josephus, and the Mishna.
On reading these basic sources it is immediately apparent that neither Josephus nor the Mishna give very much information. They are very brief, giving only certain points. The Bible gives essential information only, and appears purposefully brief.
Bible Inspired
To start with, we must approach this from the point of view that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Tim. 3:16). Since there have been translations of the original Hebrew into various languages, we must refer to the Hebrew if there is any question.
God has preserved His oracles (Old Testament scriptures) through the Jews (Rom. 3:2), and not through the Greeks, or Romans. Therefore, in the case of a question, the Scriptures as preserved by the Jews for the Old Testament will be the final authority.
There are certain variations and discrepancies between these three sources regarding particular points.
We need to understand right now what some of these differences are, so that we will have a right perspective regarding the sources and basis for information.
Josephus a Secondary Source
The next most important source to the Bible, is that of Josephus. All of the scholars seem agreed on this point.
Josephus was a Jewish priest and ruler who was born near the time of Christ. He was a leader among the Jews and wrote his work some years after the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 A.D. His work is very thorough and detailed, giving the history of Israel and Judah from Old Testament times to his own time.
His work is the most exhaustive and complete on this subject that is available today, and is by far the most reliable. In spite of his reliability in many points, he still has some points that do not agree with scripture.
We must keep certain factors in mind when we refer to Josephus regarding the temple. He wrote about 600 years after the destruction of Solomon's temple. So, he did not see Solomon's temple personally. All he had for his sources of information were the Holy Scriptures and tradition.
He did see Herod's temple but wrote about it several years after it had been destroyed. We should expect him to have more reliable information about Herod's temple than that of Solomon. We might also guess that he would confuse certain aspects of Herod's temple and ascribe them to Solomon. Therefore, we must be wary lest we fall into any such error.
Even though Josephus is reliable in many of the points concerning Solomon's temple, there are certain points which are in error, and it is needful that we understand some of them now.
Only the points of disagreement will be mentioned. We are not now concerned with the points of agreement. There are many more points of agreement than of disagreement.
Here are some of the points of disagreement as found in Antiquities XIII, III, etc.
Josephus states that there were thirty side chambers for each floor, or ninety in all. The Bible states that there were thirty‑three in each floor, a total of ninety‑nine.
He gives the height of these side chambers as 20 cubits while the Bible states that they were five cubits (I Kings 6:10). He states that the porch was 12 cubits in breadth, however, the Bible states that it was 10 cubits (I Kings 6:3).
The doors of the house were said to be of cedar, while the Bible account states that the entrance doors to the holy place was of Cypress wood (I Kings 6:34) and the entrance to the holy of holies was olive wood (I Kings 6:31, 32). He gives the height of the Cherubim as 5 cubits, while the Bible states that they were 10 cubits high (I Kings 6:23, 25, 26).
Since there are these differences, it is apparent that we cannot take Josephus before the Bible account. The Bible, since it is inspired by God is our primary source of information.
The Mishna of Little Help
The next possible source of information is the Mishna. This is a part of the collection of Jewish traditions known as the Talmud which were handed down by the elders and were later put in writing for preservation. The particular part which refers to the temple, is said to have been written about a hundred years after the destruction of A.D. 70. Several rabbis visited and examined the spot of the former temple and talked with various people in the area. From this information they compiled the particular section referring to Herod's temple
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In the first place it should be pointed out that this reference is to Herod's temple and not Solomon's. By reading the comments in the Mishna if they are correct, it becomes plain that Herod did not follow the same plan that Solomon did. The two main rooms of the temple, the holy place and the holy of holies were of the same form and dimension, however, the rest of the building, especially the porch was entirely different. The courts were not the same either, even though there may have been certain similarities.
Since the Mishna refers to Herod's temple instead of Solomon's there is little help that we can receive from it. We are therefore left with the previous conclusion that basically the Bible is the main source for information.
Septuagint is Faulty
One other source should be mentioned at this time. It is the Septuagint version of the Old Testament.
This particular translation is reported to have been made at Alexandria Egypt by seventy Jewish scholars about 284‑247 B.C. It was a translation from the Hebrew into Greek. It departs from the Hebrew or Masoretic Text in many points. The translators were prone to follow "reason" rather than to produce a careful and literal translation. In many points regarding the temple, there are great differences. Each time the Hebrew text is hard to understand, they translated incorrectly so that the difficulties seem to "disappear". Because of this many very important points are either left out entirely, or incorrectly rendered. Some very important dimensions are altered because they do not fit with the understanding that these translators had. Certain of these points will be dealt with in their proper places.
It will not be used as a basis for this work. Since it is referred to many times by most authorities on this subject it is necessary to at least mention why it will not be used.
We will use an English translation of the Hebrew text, since God has preserved His oracles through the Jewish elders, who were formerly in "Moses seat" at Jerusalem, instead of Grecianized Jews from Egypt (Matt. 23:2).
Three Reasons for Error!
The first main reason why there are differences between the scholars is because of the variation in the source material. This is a reason for variation in the design as drawn by various scholars. These scholars have been unable to rightly divide the word of truth since they often reject the Bible statement and accept the other sources. When there is a difference, there must be a basis as to which is right, and which is wrong.
Here is the second important reason why some "authorities" come up with different conclusions. They have used "human reason" to decide what is right. Here is an example. A particularly famed scholar who spent his whole life on the subject, discussed various dimensions as given by these sources. He stated that one particular height given was a "false height." On a width measurement given, he quotes certain measurements and states that they are "false widths." But what is the correct width, or the correct height of a certain measurement? What is his basis to determine what is right? The Bible, Josephus, or the Mishna? In this case it is none of these, but the "reasonable judgment," or "guess" of the author.
With such a basis for decision, one man's guess is as bad as the next! No wonder there are such differences.
A third reason for differences is that many have concluded that the text has many corruptions. With this basis, you can never be sure of what is correct and what is "corrupt." Whatever "seems" contradictory, or cannot be quickly understood is classed as being "corrupt" and in need of being "restored." The trouble is that each authority "restores" the text differently! Because of this concept, many of the "authorities" have come up with very different opinions, again based on what they thought was right.
Is the Text in Error?
Here is a prime example of how many have erred on just one point. This particular point is one that is very important, as it alone changes entirely the exterior appearance of the temple drastically.
The temple "porch" is the prominent front part of the temple and is the part that is seen most easily from all four directions. The Bible states that it is one hundred and twenty cubits high (I Chronicles 3:4). The authorities have almost completely rejected this important point. Here is a typical example of how simple Bible statements are rejected. This is a measure which is "so entirely out of proportion to the other dimensions of the porch and the general height of the building, that it is commonly supposed there is some error in the text." (Imperial Bible Dictionary, Article, Temple.)
As will be proved later this is a correct rendering. There is no corruption in the text at this point! There is no variation in reliable texts. Even Josephus repeats several times, not just once, this very same dimension.
From these comments it becomes plain why there has been such a variation in the scholars description and models of the temple. These men have not known what to use as a basis for their work, since there are some variations between the three basic sources of information. They have followed each other "into the ditch" in many cases, and copied a particular point which seemed reasonable or right but which was wrong. They have also used human reasoning to decide points contrary to either or all of these basic sources. They have rejected the Biblical account, if or where this account differed with their own judgment.
We Must Not Follow Error
The roads that these men have trod in trying to learn what the temple was really like has only led to confusion. Nothing is certain, there is only variation and uncertainty.
We must not follow their error!
To start with we must lay a strong and firm foundation for this present work. What will be the basis? What will decide, if there is a difference between these various basic sources?
What will the approach be when certain points appear unlikely, incorrect or wrong? Is reason to be the deciding factor? Are the "authorities" to be the deciding factor? Is the Bible? Josephus, or the Mishna?
The Scriptures are the only sure Guide
The Bible states that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Tim. 3:16). If this fact is so, then we have here the words of Almighty God, the One who created all things, who personally designed this temple (I Chronicles 28:12), and who has recorded the details for us to understand. Jesus Christ is our "foundation" (I Cor. 3:11), He is the Author of scripture. He has been able to preserve this record for us. We are to hold His word in reverence and awe, in fact to "tremble" before it (Isaiah 66:2). God has preserved this information for us so that we can know! There need not be question or doubt on this subject.
Nowhere does Josephus claim his writings to be "scripture" or inspired of God. His writings are a secondary source only! He will be used only to supplement, and not to replace the Bible.
The Mishna is from the writings of the Jewish Rabbis. It has been preserved by them, and considered of great authority by them but is not inspired scripture.
As will be proved later, the Mishna is completely unreasonable in certain points regarding the temple, it contradicts itself and the Bible on certain other points, and therefore will only be used in this work to add to certain points where the Bible does not give complete details, and where those details are (1) in accord with the Bible statement (2) supplying information needed, (3) rational and reasonable.
"Here a Little‑‑There a Little"
It will be proved many times in this work that the Bible account is reasonable, when you really understand what it says.
There are no known remains now of any part of the temple buildings that have been built in the past. All has been destroyed or taken away. There is nothing left to measure or use as a basis for information.
An important point which must be mentioned next concerns the various texts in the Bible referring to the subject of the temple.
We are primarily concerned with what is commonly called "Ezekiel's temple," or by some, the "Millennial Temple." Those who have studied the account in Ezekiel have soon learned that it is not complete! There are major and important parts that are completely left out of the description by Ezekiel.
In summarizing Ezekiel we find that there is a description of the gates and the two courts including many buildings in the courts. We also find that a floor plan is given of the main temple building. However, there are no vertical dimensions given for the main temple building.
When we study Solomon's temple, as recorded in Kings and Chronicles a similar problem is presented. The texts concerning this particular temple do not tell us the thickness of the walls, nothing is said about the courts except for one brief sentence. An important dimension of the side chambers is left out completely. Many other points are completely lacking.
Even in comparing Kings and Chronicles we find that there are only certain aspects mentioned in each book that may or may not be even referred to in the other book. For example: The many side chambers to the temple are mentioned in Kings, but are not even referred to in Chronicles.
If we take the account in Kings, we are left completely in the dark regarding other important aspects. If we take the account in Chronicles we are still lacking totally in many points. Alone they are incomplete. Even put together these two sources are still lacking.
Just what is the answer to this enigma?
God has inspired His word to be written in a way that makes it is necessary to search through the whole Bible on a subject before it can be correctly understood. He has not put all of the information concerning a particular subject in one place only.
God is the One who designed and planned this temple. He designed Solomon's, and He designed Ezekiel's. Since He designed both, and since they are for much the same purpose, it is only reasonable that he would use the same basic plan for both. That is what God has done!
You cannot understand Ezekiel's temple unless you understand Solomon's. You cannot understand Solomon's temple unless you understand Ezekiel's. How simple and plain this will become as we start through this subject and start comparing the various sections in the Bible which refer to both of these temples.
Therefore, in our search for the truth of this subject we will be referring to all scripture so that we might understand the individual points necessary to have an overall understanding.
How Long is a Cubit?
Now it is about time to start our study of the actual temple. But before we can even begin to understand the temple there is one more important point which must be settled. The measurement used for the temple is the cubit. We cannot have any idea how large any part of the temple is unless we first understand in modern terminology the correct length of the cubit in inches. The scholars are mostly divided on this subject. There are many different cubits known, ranging in size from about 11 inches to over 25 inches. Which of these cubits did God use? Since the inch and the foot as units of measurements were unknown in Bible times, we must first determine this important aspect.
The next chapter will cover this very important and basic question. It is exciting to learn that God has preserved the necessary keys in the Bible so that we can know without doubt.
HOW LONG IS THE TEMPLE CUBIT?
It seems that almost no one really knows the correct length of the temple cubit. This most important problem must now be solved. All the measurements of the temple are directly related to this unit of measurement.
Some of the authorities have said that the exact length is not known now. Others have various theories or ideas and have come to conclusions which are unproved.
Most scholars have come to accept the 18 inch cubit as being the one which is correct. However, there are still others who insist on cubits ranging in length from 10.8 inches to 25.2 inches. Which, if any, of these are correct? Just how long is this temple cubit?
This is a question we must solve and prove without doubt, or it will be impossible to view this magnificent building in its true perspective and grandeur.
Three Different Cubits?
One scholar in his work on the temple, insists that there were actually three different cubits relating to the temple. There was one cubit which was used for interior furnishings of 10.8" (inches), another for building measurements of 14.4", and a third cubit of 18.0" for land measurements.
Using this particular author's conclusions we are left with some difficult problems. Here is one. The side chambers are 5 cubits high (I Kings 6:10).
"And he built the stories of the side‑structure against all the house, each five cubits high; and they rested on the house with timber of cedar"
Please note that scriptural texts will be from The Holy Scriptures, The Jewish Publication Society of America, unless otherwise noted.
These chambers are for various offices and were referred to by Christ (John 14:2). They were a physical type of the spiritual offices or positions of the saints during the time of the millennium. These rooms would only be six feet in height according to this authority. Such a conclusion is immediately seen as unsatisfactory.
Another such problem would concern the stairways leading to the second and third floors of these side chambers. The place God has left for these stairways are five cubits square (Ezekiel 41:11). They are also stated to be winding stairs (I Kings 6:8). With exactly six feet only, you would have a difficult job to construct a circular stairway that would be in any sense of the word adequate. The conclusion therefore of a 14.4" cubit is obviously impractical.
This is an example of reasoning by some men who have disregarded certain keys that have been left in the scriptures to determine the correct length of the Temple cubit! God has not left this important question unanswerable. The solution and the proof is indeed amazing.
The common basis for the cubit is considered to be the forearm. There is a problem with this in that everyone has a different sized forearm. And another thing, the length of the arm may have changed (on an overall average) since ancient times.
If you are going to use this basis, only an uncertain figure can result. That is just what the conclusions have been‑‑uncertain.
Because of the universal confusion which exists, many have had less understanding on this subject after studying into it than when they started. But investigate it we must, so that this can be proved once and for all.
Bible Shows Change of the Cubit
To start with, we must first investigate the scriptural record. There is no record in the scriptures that plainly links the cubit to modern measurements, as our measurements were not in use then. But there are a few measurements given in scripture that lead us to the answer.
We read that there were a "thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate," from the "valley gate" (Nehemiah. 3:13). But who can prove where the "valley gate" and the "dung gate" of Nehemiah were located for sure? Here the authorities are uncertain and divided. For the time being this appears to be a blind alley.
Another measurement of four hundred cubits between two other gates is also given (II Kings 14:13), but again, for the same reason, the answer is not evident. The two points cannot now be located with certainty.
Ezekiel also gives certain measurements of land that could be of help in this matter. They do not give the answer to the problem, however, they do help to prove the answer once it is found. Those details will be given in proper time.
Except for these possible points, no exact measurement is given in scripture that can now be proven.
The measurements of the temple as recorded in the book of Kings are given without any mention regarding the length of the cubit, or what cubit was used. When we come to the book of Chronicles, a new element is added. Here we find that the cubit measurements of the temple were according to the "ancient measure" (II Chronicles 3:3, Jewish translation). Why this distinction between Chronicles and Kings?
In the book of Ezekiel where the temple is also described, we find that the inspired writer emphasizes two times that this particular cubit was "a cubit and an hand breadth" (Ezek. 40:5 and 43:13).
From these scriptures it becomes plain that there was at one time a change in the length of the cubit. The book of Kings was compiled before the captivity. Ezekiel was written during the captivity. Chronicles was compiled after the captivity. From these facts it becomes plain that there was a cubit, which was standard and well known before the captivity, which was different than the Babylonian cubit, or the one in common use during and after the captivity by the Jews. But that is getting a little ahead of the story. We will come back to it later.
The Encyclopedia Britannica (Eleventh Edition) has an extensive article on the subject of the cubit. It is found under the article regarding "Weights and Measures." At least eleven different basic cubit lengths are given, with many variations of these particular basic lengths.
From this article it is apparent that the cubit has varied with different ancient nations and time. That does not solve our problem but instead complicates it. We need to know the length of the cubit used for the temple, and not the length of the other cubits.
Even when it comes to Israel, the Encyclopedia lists at least four different lengths. Which of these is the correct one?
One cubit that is discussed by this authority is the cubit of 18.23". Here in part is information on this particular cubit.
"This cubit or one nearly equal, was used in Judea in the times of the Kings, as the Siloam inscription names a distance of 1728' as roundly 1200 cubits, showing a cubit of about 17.6" (Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 28, page 483).
In the Siloam conduit it is difficult to be exact in length. Other authorities mention the fact that this particular tunnel is crooked, and therefore it is difficult to get an exact measurement to use as a basis. Even then it does not prove one way or another the length of the temple cubit.
There is another general cubit length that is referred to by the Jews frequently. It is 21.6" in length.
"This cubit was also much used by the Jews, and is so often referred to that it has eclipsed the 25.1" cubit in most writers. The Gemara names three Jewish cubits of 5, 6, 7 palms, and as Oppert shows that 25.2" was reckoned 7 palms, 21.6 being 6 palms, we may reasonably apply this scale to the Gemara list, and read it as 18, 21.6 and 25.2 inches. There is also a great amount of medieval and other data showing this cubit of 21.6 to have been familiar to the Jews after their captivity; but there is no evidence for its earlier date" (Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 28, page 484).
Three Jewish Cubits
Here at last is a clue to our problem. The Jews had more than one length in their method of calculating the cubit. These three different cubits used by the Jews were all based on the palm or handbreadth and not the forearm! We have already seen something about the two shorter lengths of approximately 18" and 21.6", but what about the longer length of 25.1".
"It appears that Josephus using the Greek or Roman Cubit, gives half as many more to each dimension of the Temple than does the Talmud; this shows the cubit used in the Talmud for the temple measures to be certainly not under 25 inches. Evidence of the early period is given, moreover, by the statement in I Kings (vii. 26) that the brazen sea held 2000 baths; the bath being about 2300 cub. in., this would show a cubit of 25 in. … If a lesser cubit of 21.6" be taken, the result for the size of the bath would be impossibly small" (Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 28, p. 483).
Certainly these two important points demand a longer cubit of some 25 inches to be the one used in the time of Solomon, in the building of the temple.
We need to go back now and continue a previous quotation taken from this same work regarding the 21.6" cubit. To make the sense clear it is necessary to quote a portion over again.
"There is also a great amount of medieval and other data showing this cubit of 21.6 to have been familiar to the Jews after their captivity; but there is no evidence for its earlier date, as there is for the 25 in. cubit (from the brazen sea)" (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 28, p. 483‑‑Italics ours).
Here again is evidence of a change. A change from a longer cubit to a shorter one. This same point is brought out by another source.
"The cubit in very early times is said to have been 25.19 inches and after the Exile the legal cubits of the Talmudists were 21.85 in." (Peloubet, Bible Dictionary, p. 788, footnote).
As stated earlier, Ezekiel said that the cubit he had reference to was one handbreadth longer. With the comments quoted previously it will now become clear why he referred to the handbreadth. It was the basis for the cubit, and not the arm. The Babylonian cubit, and the one to which the Jews changed during and after the captivity was obviously one handbreadth shorter than the original one.
Now it is clear why there was no problem regarding the cubit in the Book of Kings. It was compiled before the captivity, and the cubit was of established length. Ezekiel wrote during the captivity and he had to clarify that the cubit for the temple was not the Babylonian cubit, or one to which the Jews had changed. It was one handbreadth longer than the new cubit. Chronicles was compiled after the captivity so it was necessary to state that the cubit was according to the ancient measure‑‑the one used prior to the captivity.
This fact is further acknowledged by Adam Clarke in his Bible Commentary, volume 2, page 638 (on II Chron. 3:3)
"First measure of Moses (ancient measure, Jewish) contrary to Babylonian cubit of 1 palm less." The palm and handbreadth are the same thing, just different terminology.
To have an exact figure of this long cubit, since 25.1", 25.19" and 25.2" are mentioned, the round figure of 25.2" will be used as the basis from here on. The small distance of .01" is so negligible that it need not be of great concern in such measures.
Now we have seen that the basis of the Bible cubit is the palm or handbreadth and not the forearm. With that in mind notice that the original cubit was seven palms. That is the number of completeness!
Judah went into captivity and adopted the Babylonian cubit of six (the number of a man) palms! That is a natural a thing to do. Man has always spurned the ways that God has given and turned to the ways of man instead.
A shorter cubit such as one of five or six palms was apparently used in reference to Og, King of Bashan.
"For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man" (Deut. 3:11).
Notice that this cubit was "after the cubit of a man," and not after or according to the Bible cubit God uses.
In examining the various length cubits mentioned, notice that they all fit closely into the basis of a palm or handbreadth of 3.6". Three palms or 10.8". Four palms or 14.4". Five palms or 18.0". Six palms or 21.6". Seven palms or 25.2". This should make it evident that the Bible cubit and the former Jewish cubits were based on the palm instead of the forearm.
Think what the length of this cubit means. It means that the temple of God will be 252 feet high! That is about the height of a modern 25 story building!
It means that the so‑called "little side chambers" are not so little after all. These offices are about 10 feet from floor to ceiling. The five cubits left for the circular stairway is about 10 feet, which is ample for such a stairway.
Using this cubit we now can see that Noah's Ark was over 600 feet long and 100 feet wide. It was over 60 feet high, the height of a modern six story building.
Now we can have a better perspective of the lofty height and impressiveness of God's Temple.
HERE IS THE TEMPLE
The Holy Temple which the Creator God has designed and planned for the millennium to come, is one of splendor and magnificence. It is almost impossible for us to visualize the beauty and grandeur that God has planned in this building and its courts and other structures. To view this properly we must now piece together many parts of this "jigsaw puzzle." We cannot at first view the complete picture. Since there is no photograph or drawing to go by we must go to the written description as inspired by God. He has caused the important details to be written down and preserved for us.
It is somewhat like understanding the plan of salvation God has for mankind. Only after painstaking study, research, and thought can we view the overall plan. At first the inquiring student can only see the "twigs" on the tree. Later as each "piece" or "twig" is put in proper place, the tree in its entirety begins to appear.
In order to see God's Temple we must inspect carefully each "twig," each "limb" and then the "trunk." Only then can we view this most magnificent building in all its future beauty and glory.
God is the Architect
Keep in mind that David, Solomon, or Ezekiel, were not the architects or designers of God's Temple. God, the Creator of heaven and earth designed it.
Theologians and scholars refer to Solomon as the designer, and believe that he "copied" the architectural style after the pagan architecture of his day. They believe that he derived ideas for certain sections of the temple after the Egyptians, and other parts from the Assyrians or other near eastern races of people and their architecture. That is exactly contrary to the inspired word of God.
"Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch (of the temple), and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the ark‑cover; and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, for the courts of the house of the Lord, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the hallowed things" (I Chronicles 28:11‑12, Jewish translation).
Here is plain scripture that proves God to be the Author and Architect. He showed David "by the spirit" the "pattern" of all these things. No wonder the students of the temple have come up with such wrong conclusions. They are looking to the architecture of ancient men for the details instead of to the Word of God.
The Five Basic Sections
There are five basic sections to the Temple building proper. The Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, the porch, the side chambers, and the upper chambers.
The main entrance to the temple is on the east. Upon entering the Temple, the porch is first traversed, then the Holy Place, then the Holy of Holies. Only appointed priests were allowed in any of these rooms, or for that matter in the immediate court that surrounded the temple. Only the High Priest was permitted in the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The side chambers are not technically a part of the Temple, and the entrances to them are on the north and south sides of the building. We might also say that even the porch is not technically a part of the "house," since it was placed "before the house" or in front of it.
The Ulam ‑ or Porch
To start our description it is only logical to start with that portion which is first entered, the porch. As you will see very soon, the porch is not at all what we today call a porch, but is rather a slender and graceful tower on the front of the temple. It is here that the Biblical account as given in Kings commences. The translation of the Holy Scriptures by the Jewish Publication Society of America will be used unless otherwise stated.
"And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house" (I Kings 6:3).
Notice that only the basic floor dimensions of the Porch are given in this place. The height is not given‑‑there is no description of the walls‑‑no details of the ceiling, windows, or exterior. That will be found in other places. Here is one of the first examples to show that no scripture can be understood by itself. We must look in all the other places where the temple is described to get the details.
The text does state that it is the same width (twenty cubits) as the breadth of the "house," and is ten cubits in depth. It must be understood now that these dimensions are inside room dimensions. Outside dimensions are given elsewhere.
So far we have a rectangle described of about twenty by thirty feet. But how high is this Porch? The preceding verse states that the house, not the Porch, is thirty cubits. Such a proportion if continued out over the porch would certainly be symmetrical. But such a conclusion is the one usually accepted but it is wrong.
The height for this porch is the first major mistake almost all the "scholars" have made. The Bible is clear and plain.
"And the porch that was before (the house), the length of it, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the height a hundred and twenty; and he overlaid it within with pure gold" (II Chronicles 3:4).
This has been universally rejected this as being a "corruption" of the text, as the proportions would be completely wrong. Man's reasoning decrees that this is architecturally unsound, or that it is out of proportion, or that it would impossible to build. Here is one such example.
"The proportions, 20, 10, 120 are impossible on both aesthetic and statical grounds. There is certainly a corruption of the text, or we have another example‑‑a gross one here‑‑of the love of exaggeration to which the Chronicler is prone when describing the sanctuary and its worship" (Dictionary of the Bible, James Hastings, editor, article "Temple").
Men have decided that this is unreasonable. They have decided such a structure would be a "chimney," rather than a porch‑‑that it would be structurally unreasonable.
Has God been proved to be a faulty architect not knowing what is proper from aesthetical and statical grounds? Has He been unable to preserve His word on such vital points regarding His own House?
The authorities do not really find the text corrupted at this point, as it is not. They only show that they themselves are "corrupted" in their thinking, and unwilling to accept what they think to be unreasonable.
What then becomes the basis of deciding the height of this porch? Human reason! The problem is that every man's reasoning is different. Chaos is the result. They cannot decide for sure the height of the Porch, so each has his own idea.
If you have never seen a rabbit and have only a limited description of it, you may differ with others on what it really looks like. But that does not change the appearance of the rabbit.
In like manner men may guess about God's Temple, but they do not change the facts.
In order to dispel any questions about this simple and very important dimension, let us turn to Josephus on this point. He is the famous Jewish historian who wrote in the first century. Some like to use his description of the temple ahead of the Bible except on this one point.
"The entire altitude of the temple was a hundred and twenty cubits" (Ant. VIII, III, 2).
Notice that he refers to this as the extreme or "entire" altitude of the temple. He gives another height for the other sections of the temple. That makes two places where this same height is given. The Bible and Josephus. But to go further, there are still other places where this dimension is also stated clearly.
When Herod desired to rebuild the temple, he was compelled by circumstances to obtain the confidence of the Jews. In order to do this, and have their help and approbation, it was necessary for him to describe his plans before they would permit his starting. Here, from Josephus is a
Temple East Side
portion of his speech.
"Our fathers, indeed, when they were returned from Babylon, built this temple (Zerubbabel's) to God Almighty, yet does it want sixty cubits of its largeness and altitude; for so much did that first temple which Solomon built exceed this temple" (Ant. XV, XI, I).
Zerubbabel's temple was "threescore cubits" (sixty) high (Ezra 6:3).
"In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits and the breadth thereof threescore cubits."
Herod stated that it was sixty cubits lower than Solomon's one hundred and twenty cubits.
Josephus continues in the same place. "Cyrus and Darius. . .determined the measures for its rebuilding." And also, "They had not the opportunity to follow the original model of this pious edifice nor could raise it to its ancient altitude."
Anyone who still refuses to accept the plain Bible statement must also now reject Josephus and Herod as authorities on the subject.
This measurement is not unreasonable when you understand the overall plan that God had in mind designing this temple. God does not use human carnal reasoning in the things that he does. His ways are as high above the ways of man as the heavens are high above the earth (Isaiah 55:8, 9). His temple is in like manner physically "higher" than what men would like to make it!
As already mentioned, some of the dimensions are inside measurements. In this particular place a different Hebrew word is used in reference to the height than is usually used. This particular word is literally defined "loftiness" by Young, and refers to the exterior height, not the interior dimension.
Now we have the basic picture of the porch. It is exceedingly tall, being 252 feet in height. It is narrow from the front view and slender or graceful from the side view.
There are several other aspects of the porch which will be discussed in later sections. These will include the floors, the upper chambers, and the front decorations.
The Hekal ‑ or Holy Place
The next portion of the building is the hekal. Here is a strange word since it is not usually used except in regard to this important part of the Temple. The hekal is the Hebrew word meaning "Holy Place." Instead of using the English terminology of Holy Place, we will usually refer to it as the hekal. Most of the authorities or reference works that you may read on the subject will pro