1. The Tabernacle

Key passage: Exodus 25 - 40

Constructed immediately after the exodus and the giving of the Law, 1446

A portable sanctuary, used during the exodus, the 40 years in the wilderness, and in Israel before Solomon's temple

Single outer court, perhaps 150 feet by 75 feet, contained an alter and laver

The tabernacle proper contained

The holy place

The most holy place which contained the Ark of the Covenant

Ark was captured by Philistines, 1050 BC

2. Solomon's Temple

Key passages: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 22; 1 Kings 6 - 8

In Jerusalem, started 966 BC, completed in 7 years

Perhaps 90 feet by 30 feet, ornate and glorious

Possibly surrounded by platform and courtyards

Holy of holies contained the Ark of the Covenant

Misused by subsequent kings (inclusion of other gods)

Pillaged and destroyed by Babylon 586 BC, Ark removed (never to be returned)

3. Zerubbabel's Temple

Rebuilding began 536 BC, completed 516 BC

Probably modest compared with Solomon's temple (mixed response, Ezra 3:11-12; compare Haggai 2:3-9)

At times neglected, plundered, repaired

168 - 164 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes abomination

Holy of Holies was empty

4. Herod's (enlarged and beautified) Temple

(Note: Many scholars group Zerubbabel's and Herod's temple together in what they call the Second Temple Period.)

Started 19 BC, mostly completed by 9 BC, destroyed AD 70

Grand, the world's largest building at the time

Total size, including courtyards, approx. 1500 feet by 1000 feet

Work continued until AD 64 (not fully complete at the time of Christ)

The temple proper was surrounded by the women's court, Israel's court, and the priest's court

These courts were surrounded by the court of the gentiles, where buying and selling took place