Temple of Solomon - the main shrine of Jerusalem in antiquity

The Temple of Solomon was one of the most impressive architectural buildings of Jerusalem. It several times collapsed and rebuilt, but in 70 AD. Was wiped off the face of the earth by the troops of Rome.

The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem was erected on a 9-foot platform. At its entrance was a ladder, which has 10 steps, on both sides of it were columns, the names of which reached us as Boaz and Jahin. The meaning of these names, unfortunately, is not yet clear.

The temple of King Solomon inside was divided into three parts. One of them was a sanctuary in which there were several windows under the ceiling. The floor was made of cypress boards, and the walls are cased with cedar. This part had a flat roof, which was supported by large logs. On the doors and walls were painted flowers, palms, chains and cherubs.

The temple of Solomon had one more room, in which the church utensils were housed . There was a small altar carved from cedar, decorated with gold, as well as various lamps and a table for bread. The altar location is the same as in the Canaanite temples - right in front of the staircase leading to the next room.

The third room was called "Holy of Holies", and it was the abode of God. It did not have windows, but housed two gold-trimmed 15-foot cherub. Their outer wings were pulled to the walls, and the inner ones touched each other in the very center of the hall. It is believed that it was there that the "Ark of the Covenant" was located.

The Temple of Solomon also had a courtyard in front of him. There was an altar for offerings, which was like the famous tower of Babel (ziggurat) and the brass sea.

This temple was built 7 years, in the 10th century BC. On the Feast of Tabernacles, he was consecrated, and the "Ark of the Covenant" was introduced. After that, King Solomon entered him and pronounced a prayer, after which the fire came down from heaven and burned the sacrifices offered to the Lord on the altar.

Here the most grandiose and solemn divine services were always held. Sometimes the servants of the temple could not even continue to serve, because with a large crowd of people dressed in elegant clothes, singing and sounding music, a cloud of the Glory of God filled it.

Alas, this temple was not destined to exist for a long time. Three and a half centuries later, Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, and the temple was destroyed to the ground. The Jewish people were taken prisoner, and nothing has been known about the ark since.

After the return of Jerusalem, the temple was rebuilt anew, but it was no longer so beautiful, which people regretted. During the reign of King Herod the temple was expanded and richly decorated, it began to look like a shining mountain peak. But, unfortunately, the troops of the Roman Empire destroyed it, this time for good.

To date, only a small section of the western wall remained of it, not far from Mount Moria, on top of which it was located. This place is called the Wailing Wall and is the greatest shrine of the Jews.

The Temple of Solomon was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings of Jerusalem, and thanks to him today this city is the greatest religious center, to which pilgrims from all over the world come.