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THE FIRST TEMPLE PERIOD
AND THE LONG DAVIDIC DYNASTY
The First Temple of Jerusalem
The First Temple of Jerusalem, built in the 10th century BCE by King
Solomon, son of David, is a key reference point in Israelite history.
It was destroyed four centuries later, at the same time as the Davidic
dynasty ended.
The Temple is described in great detail in the Bible. It measured 30
metres long by 10 wide and 15 high, and was divided into three main sections.
The innermost room a sanctuary known as the "Holy of Holies"; house the
Ark of the Covenant containing the Tablets bearing the Law
that Moses is said to have received on Mount Sinai.
Nothing of this splendid structure, with its rooms covered in carved
cedar and gold, has come to light as yet in archaeological digs.
A tiny ivory pomegranate, which probably decorated the tip of a sceptre
used by the priests during ritual ceremonies, was once believed to be
associated with the Temple. For new information regarding the ivory pomegranate,
please visit the
Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
The façade of the model shrine illustrated below is reminiscent
of the entrance to Solomon's temple, which the Bible says was also
flanked by two columns, named Jachin and Boaz.
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Model shrine.
Collection of the Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Photo © The Israel Museum, by Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon, Canadian Museum of Civilization
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In the days of the Kingdom of Judah, there was a temple at Arad,
southwest of Jerusalem. As the remains today show, it was divided into
a courtyard with an altar for sacrifices, a broad room and a "Holy of Holies",
or inner sanctuary. This division into three parts is similar to the
biblical account of the Temple, of which no trace has been found.
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Bowl with sacred inscription.
Collection Israel Antiquities Authority, exhibited at The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Photo © The Israel Museum, by Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon, Canadian Museum of Civilization
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