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 Layout of the Temple |
 Garber-Howland model |
Parts and Features
Temple parts: Hekal, Ulam, Sancto-Sanctorum.
No one could be absolutely certain about the actual dimensions of the Temple since the biblical dimensions were in cubits for which, there were two known standards at that time: the regular cubit, 17.5 inches long and the royal cubit which was 21 inches. Scholars however, now agree that the royal cubit was employed. King Solomon’s Temple was modeled after a Phoenician temple which had three basic parts: an ante room called Ulam, a main hall called Hekal and a “Sancto-Sanctorum" or secret Holy of Holies. They were oriented on a long axis; generally believed from east to west, with the Holy-of-Holies at the west. With this arrangement, the rays of the rising sun would shine through the open tall doors of the Temple and provide light as far back through the dark interior where the Ark was located. The Main Hall or Holy Place was 60 feet long, 30 feet wide and 45 feet high. The inner room or Holy of Holies was a dark, windowless cube of 30 feet. A lowered ceiling and a raised floor in the inner room made the difference in the height of the rooms.
Side chambers were built along the full length of both sides of the Temple against the outer walls. These rooms were three stories high, connected to the walls by beams resting on blocks built from the outer walls; not inserted into the walls themselves. The side chambers in the Garber-Howland model suggested an entrance from the interior rather than, as usually understood, from the exterior. This interpretation follows a study of the Hebrew text by Prof. Leroy Waterman. Because the side chambers were used by priests for storage and by the King as national treasure vaults, an interior entrance to the vaults and elimination of outside windows for the chambers seem to provide a likely arrangement. The lower floor was 7.5 feet wide; the second floor was 9 feet wide and the upper floor, 10.5 feet wide. There were winding stairs going up the second floor and another flight of stairs led to the third floor.
The Temple stood on an elevated plaza with steps and ramp features similar to Babylonian ziggurats. Entrance was through an open porch which sheltered the doors. The porch was 30 feet long and 15 feet deep. Two hollow bronze pillars, each 27 feet high with 7.5 foot capitals were placed in front. The pillar named Jachin was on the south and the one named Boaz was on the north. In front of the plaza were located a huge Laver or Holy Water Basin on the left side and an Altar of Burnt Offering on the right. The Laver was about three inches in thickness, 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet in height. I Kings 7:23 referred to this as the “Molten Sea”, cast in one piece in copper alloy or bronze. It was supported by 12 oxen. The oxen were divided into four groups so arranged that each group of three faced a major compass point, East, West, North or South.
Side chambers were built along the full length of both sides of the Temple against the outer walls. These rooms were three stories high, connected to the walls by beams resting on blocks built from the outer walls; not inserted into the walls themselves. The side chambers in the Garber-Howland model suggested an entrance from the interior rather than, as usually understood, from the exterior. This interpretation follows a study of the Hebrew text by Prof. Leroy Waterman. Because the side chambers were used by priests for storage and by the King as national treasure vaults, an interior entrance to the vaults and elimination of outside windows for the chambers seem to provide a likely arrangement. The lower floor was 7.5 feet wide; the second floor was 9 feet wide and the upper floor, 10.5 feet wide. There were winding stairs going up the second floor and another flight of stairs led to the third floor.
The Temple stood on an elevated plaza with steps and ramp features similar to Babylonian ziggurats. Entrance was through an open porch which sheltered the doors. The porch was 30 feet long and 15 feet deep. Two hollow bronze pillars, each 27 feet high with 7.5 foot capitals were placed in front. The pillar named Jachin was on the south and the one named Boaz was on the north. In front of the plaza were located a huge Laver or Holy Water Basin on the left side and an Altar of Burnt Offering on the right. The Laver was about three inches in thickness, 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet in height. I Kings 7:23 referred to this as the “Molten Sea”, cast in one piece in copper alloy or bronze. It was supported by 12 oxen. The oxen were divided into four groups so arranged that each group of three faced a major compass point, East, West, North or South.
The Laver and the Altar of Burnt Offering
Garber-Howland model
The Garber-Howland model suggested that the oxen were yearling calves and not full grown bulls. Yearling calves were thought to be symbols of fecundity and power and as such, highly suitable as sacrificial offerings. In the Hebrew practice all four-footed animals so dedicated must be young, unblemished specimens originally raised for human consumption. This is an interesting point which contrasts with most representations taken literally from the Bible. If bulls were used, the symbolism would have a different meaning since the Bull was known to be Phoenician symbol of their own god, EL.
The bronze Altar of Burnt Offering on the right side measured 30 feet long, 30 feet wide and 15 feet high. It was a series of platforms of diminishing sizes, laid on top of each other, like a stepped pyramid. The base was 21 inches high, with a 9-inch rim around its edge and extended 21 inches beyond the altar on all sides. The first stage of the altar, according to Ezekiel 43, was a stone platform 3.5 feet high, 21 inches narrower than the base block on all sides. From this, rose a narrower platform, 7 feet high, with four horns projecting from the corners. This top platform of the Altar was 21 feet square with a 10.5-inch curb around the edges. The entire platform extended out from the top 21 inches on all sides. No archaeological evidence has been found yet that fits this complex description but a small 10th century B.C. limestone altar, 22 inches high was uncovered in the Israelite City of Megiddo. It matched the four horned top-most platform described in Ezekiel 43.
The bronze Altar of Burnt Offering on the right side measured 30 feet long, 30 feet wide and 15 feet high. It was a series of platforms of diminishing sizes, laid on top of each other, like a stepped pyramid. The base was 21 inches high, with a 9-inch rim around its edge and extended 21 inches beyond the altar on all sides. The first stage of the altar, according to Ezekiel 43, was a stone platform 3.5 feet high, 21 inches narrower than the base block on all sides. From this, rose a narrower platform, 7 feet high, with four horns projecting from the corners. This top platform of the Altar was 21 feet square with a 10.5-inch curb around the edges. The entire platform extended out from the top 21 inches on all sides. No archaeological evidence has been found yet that fits this complex description but a small 10th century B.C. limestone altar, 22 inches high was uncovered in the Israelite City of Megiddo. It matched the four horned top-most platform described in Ezekiel 43.
No sound of axe, hammer or any tool of iron
Garber -Howland model of "pallet construction"
The interior furnishings of the Holy Place consisted of furniture from the tabernacle, the “Table of Shewbread” on which the priests arranged 12 loaves of unleavened bread daily and the Incense Altar. Lamps on metal stands provided added illumination to the light coming from small high windows. The interior walls were completely wainscoted. Repeated designs reaching 7.5 feet from the floor served as the main decorative element.
Archaeological data suggested the use of an early form of pre-fabrication in the construction of the wooden components of the temple. This method was termed “pallet” construction where each pallet was a self-supporting structure that could be used as floor, ceiling and wall panels when covered by wooden boards. This further suggested that the pallets were constructed outside the temple area and then assembled on site with their pre-determined configuration fitting each other. This technique could have made possible the description in I Kings 6:7 which is also found in Masonic ritual: that King Solomon’s Temple was built without the “sound of axe, hammer or any tool of iron”.
The Temple’s flooring was made of wood, similarly prefabricated using the pallet construction technique. The “Star of David” was emblazoned at the center. This “star” was formed by two interlacing triangles, the design of which was uncovered in Solomon’s fort city of Megiddo, crudely scratched at the back of an unfinished masonry block. (Before this archaeological finding, it was widely believed that the symbol was not yet in existence during King Solomon’s time and was no older than European Middle Ages.)
This finding gave the indication that the floor pallet used to finish the Temple was based on such a figure. This enabled Dr. Garber and Mr. Howland to experiment on the possible floor pallet construction which resulted in a self supporting piece, estimated to be 30 feet in actual dimension. The placing of this piece in position could have been one of the final acts in the finishing of King Solomon’s Temple.
Cedar from Lebanon, fabricated into I-beams spanned the Holy Place to support the ceiling pallet. The rafter crossed at right angles resulting in the formation of hollow squares or what is architecturally termed as “coffers.”
The Holy of Holies was a place entered only by the high priest once a year, on the Day of Atonement. The presence of God was believed to dwell in this elevated inner sanctuary, containing the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was also believed to be God’s throne and stood between cherubims. The cherubims had a height of 15 feet and wingspan of 15 feet and were considered God’s aids in moving through the heavens, functional parts of His “throne.”
Archaeological data suggested the use of an early form of pre-fabrication in the construction of the wooden components of the temple. This method was termed “pallet” construction where each pallet was a self-supporting structure that could be used as floor, ceiling and wall panels when covered by wooden boards. This further suggested that the pallets were constructed outside the temple area and then assembled on site with their pre-determined configuration fitting each other. This technique could have made possible the description in I Kings 6:7 which is also found in Masonic ritual: that King Solomon’s Temple was built without the “sound of axe, hammer or any tool of iron”.
The Temple’s flooring was made of wood, similarly prefabricated using the pallet construction technique. The “Star of David” was emblazoned at the center. This “star” was formed by two interlacing triangles, the design of which was uncovered in Solomon’s fort city of Megiddo, crudely scratched at the back of an unfinished masonry block. (Before this archaeological finding, it was widely believed that the symbol was not yet in existence during King Solomon’s time and was no older than European Middle Ages.)
This finding gave the indication that the floor pallet used to finish the Temple was based on such a figure. This enabled Dr. Garber and Mr. Howland to experiment on the possible floor pallet construction which resulted in a self supporting piece, estimated to be 30 feet in actual dimension. The placing of this piece in position could have been one of the final acts in the finishing of King Solomon’s Temple.
Cedar from Lebanon, fabricated into I-beams spanned the Holy Place to support the ceiling pallet. The rafter crossed at right angles resulting in the formation of hollow squares or what is architecturally termed as “coffers.”
The Holy of Holies was a place entered only by the high priest once a year, on the Day of Atonement. The presence of God was believed to dwell in this elevated inner sanctuary, containing the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was also believed to be God’s throne and stood between cherubims. The cherubims had a height of 15 feet and wingspan of 15 feet and were considered God’s aids in moving through the heavens, functional parts of His “throne.”
Archeology at work
Due to the complete destruction of King Solomon's temple, relics or artifacts that bear direct evidence of its existence are almost nil. Archaeologists have however found some artifacts and prototypes for its architecture and furnishings from other sources that provide insights to its design and construction.
Prototype of the Temple
A small Canaanite shrine uncovered at Hazor north of the sea of Galilee showing a three chamber arrangement similar to King Solomon's Temple.
From Solomon's city of Megiddo
From the city of Megiddo was found this 22 inch high limestone altar, dated 10th century B.C. (reign of King Solomon). Garber-Howland's model suggested a horned Altar of Burnt Offering similar to this.
Cherubims
A Canaanite king's throne decorated with winged sphinxes, depicted in an ivory panel dating from 1200 B.C. Referred in the Bible as cherubims, they guarded the Ark of the Covenant.
Star of David
From Megiddo was also dug this graffiti of a double triangle scratched on an unfinished masonry block. This finding suggested that this symbol was used in Palestine at a time nearer to David's reign than previously thought. Known as the Star of David, it was emblazoned on the floor of the Holy Place of the Temple.
Stone door pivot
The massive doors of the Temple could have swung on metal-tipped pivots on limestone sockets; an example of which was found in a 20th century B.C. Gimilsin Temple at Ur. It has been speculated that a "cornerstone" in King Solomon's Temple could have been a door socket such as this because in earliest times in Egypt and Mesopotamia, valuables and records were deposited beneath such stones during a building's dedication.
Lumber from Phoenicia
Cedar and fir, used for the Temple came from Ancient Phoenicia (Lebanon). Much of Phoenicia's wealth was derived from its lumber trade as depicted in this Assyrian carving on alabaster.
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Sources:
The Israelites. The Emergence of Man; Time-Life Books: 1974
The Sea Traders. The Emergence of Man; Time-Life Books: 1974
The Holy Bible
IGLPI Manual of Masonic Rituals
Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land. Bonanza Books. New York: 1967
Sources:
The Israelites. The Emergence of Man; Time-Life Books: 1974
The Sea Traders. The Emergence of Man; Time-Life Books: 1974
The Holy Bible
IGLPI Manual of Masonic Rituals
Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land. Bonanza Books. New York: 1967
Historical Footnote
King Solomon died in 922 B.C. and his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king. Rehoboam was politically inept and failed to hold the kingdom together. The northern region soon seceded and put up its own king Jeroboam, an officer in Solomon’s staff and a member of the tribe of Ephraim. The kingdom was thus split into two: the South which was called the Kingdom of Judah and the North which was named Israel. The South (Kingdom of Judah) fell under the army of Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 B.C. Jerusalem was sacked and King Solomon’s Temple was looted and razed to the ground. The Jews or the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon.
Tyre did not escape the onslaught of the Babylonians. A year after the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar’s army started its siege of the city until it was finally captured in 572 B.C.
Tyre did not escape the onslaught of the Babylonians. A year after the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar’s army started its siege of the city until it was finally captured in 572 B.C.