7468 temple, rebuilding of

Following the exile Solomon’s ruined temple was rebuilt and became the focus of the Jewish faith worldwide.

Preparations for rebuilding the temple

Ezr 1:1-4 pp 2Ch 36:22-23 Cyrus gave permission for the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (538 B.C.); Ezr 1:7 He sent back the temple treasures.

Rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel

Ezr 3:3-6,8-13; Ezr 4:1-3

Interruptions to the rebuilding

The Jews’enemies persuaded Artaxerxes to order the work to cease Ezr 4:8,12-15,17,20-21,24

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah called Zerubbabel and the people to restart work Hag 1:4 See also Ezr 5:1-12; Hag 1:5-7,14-15

The rebuilding authorised by King Darius Ezr 5:3,11,13; Ezr 6:3-5,7-8

The dedication and worship of the rebuilt temple Ezr 6:16; Ezr 7:11-17

The post-exilic temple and its worship was regarded as the spiritual centre for Jews worldwide

Ps 87:1-7; Ps 135:21

The temple is the place where God is to be praised

Ps 100:4; Ps 134:1-2 See also Ps 135:19-20; Ps 138:2

Prophecies of restoration of the temple

Zec 1:16 See also Jer 31:6,23; Jer 33:18; Eze 40:1-43:27

See also