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