Temple, Solomon's

Concept

Solomon's Temple (Bet Yahweh, "House of the LORD") was built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and completed c. 959 B.C. (1 Kgs. 6:38; 2 Chr. 3–5). The interior measured 60 × 20 × 30 cubits, comprising the vestibule (ulam), the Holy Place (hekal), and the Holy of Holies (debir) — the same three-part structure as the tabernacle but on a larger scale. Cedar panels lined the interior, the walls and floors were overlaid with gold, and massive carved cherubim flanked the ark in the inner sanctuary. The furnishings included the Molten Sea, ten bronze lavers, ten golden lampstands, and the altar of incense. At its dedication, the divine glory so filled the temple that the priests could not stand to minister (1 Kgs. 8:10–11). Nebuchadnezzar plundered its treasuries and burned the temple in 586 B.C. (2 Kgs. 25:8–17).