The Temple of Solomon: The Oldest Structure of the Holy City
Jerusalem and the location of the Temple of Solomon — also known as Beit HaMikdash in Hebrew — are one of the most important and sacred historic locations in the world. They are revered by followers of all Abrahamic religions, each of which has left its religious footprint in this holy place.
From a Jewish perspective, the Temple of Solomon was built by King Solomon as the House of God and served as the central place for Jewish worship. Throughout history, it has endured countless attacks and invasions, with some idol-worshipping nations even placing their own idols inside it. The Temple of Solomon was destroyed twice, with the final destruction occurring around 70 AC. Despite this, it remains a sacred place and continues to be the direction of prayer and the most important pilgrimage site for Jews worldwide.
Evidence from excavations in various parts of Jerusalem, reaching depths of 10 to 20 meters, and studies of the scriptures all indicate that the Temple of Solomon, or Beit HaMikdash, was undoubtedly one of the most magnificent and historically significant religious structures ever built. It was situated on the elevated hills of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a city that has found its place in the annals of history since ancient times. During King David’s reign, the city was also known as the City of David. “Jerusalem” is a Hebrew word composed of two terms: “Or”, meaning light and sacred, and “Shalem” or “Shalim”, meaning peace and well-being.
The city’s history dates back to more than 4000 BC. The evidence indicates that it was initially called Yebus or Jebus, and its inhabitants were composed of Jebusites and Canaanites, which is why the name was later changed to Canaan. Over time, Jerusalem has seen the construction and restoration of three significant enclosures around itself. The first was built by the Jebusites but later faced decline and destruction due to the wars and the passage of time. The second enclosure was constructed during the reign of King Solomon but was destroyed during the invasion of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.
Following the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, Herod the Great, who was appointed as the king of Israel by the Romans, constructed the third wall in an effort to gain the support and favor of the Jewish community. This wall — towering 15 meters high on three sides — encircled the Temple, and its remaining traces continue to be of great significance to Jews worldwide since 1 AD.
This wall, known as the Wailing Wall or the Western Wall, holds deep spiritual meaning and is associated with supplication and humility. Its name reflects the sadness and lamentation over the tragic events, including the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Jews to foreign lands. In Hebrew, it is also called Kotel HaMa’aravi.
The memory of the Temple’s destruction is still preserved among Jews, observed as a tradition similar to mourning. It is worth mentioning that Abraham established the first altar in this city.
Abraham, his wife Sarah, and his nephew Lot left the city of Ur, which was under the control of the Canaanites, under the pressure of Nimrud. They migrated to Jerusalem, which was known as Luz at that time. After settling there, he established his first altar and named it Beit-El.
According to alternative accounts, King David was deemed ineligible to build a house in the name of God due to the bloodshed and wars he had initiated. Despite his comprehensive preparations for the construction before his passing, he left instructions in his will for his son Solomon to undertake the task excellently. King David reassured Solomon, saying, “O my son, God will be with you, and you will succeed in this endeavor to build the house of God”.
The conquest of the city of Jebus by King David
After seven years of war and strife and creating relative security, King David turned his attention to the city of Jerusalem, which at that time was in the heart of the territories of the Israelites and was known as Jebus.
Jebus was important because it was a major Canaanite religious center, and all the customs and idols of the region were located in this city. After conquering the city and bringing the Ark of the Covenant — which was a symbol of belief and unity among the Israelites — to Jerusalem, King David considered making it his capital and religious center. This would establish Jerusalem as the most significant center of worship and monotheism, serving as an altar for the Creator of the universe. He also intended to extend his influence and authority over all the land of Judah and Israel (the twelve tribes of Israel) to eventually unite and unify the country. King David’s military forces finally conquered the city, and he immediately changed its name to “City of David” (Jerusalem) as soon as he achieved complete dominance in the city.
Relocating the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem
King David seized the first opportunity to bring the Ark of the Covenant from its place in “Kiria’th-jea’rim”. Within this sacred Ark rested the precious tablets of the Ten Commandments, bestowed upon Moses at Mount Sinai, along with a copy of the Torah. Yet, the transportation of the Ark demanded strict adherence to specific religious protocols, which were not initially followed, impeding their ability to move the Ark.
In the second attempt, all the priests and Levites (descendants of Moses and Aaron) consecrated themselves and set off while the Ark of the Covenant was on the shoulders of the Levites. King David and other companions accompanied this caravan. The whole nation entered Jerusalem with celebration, joy, music, and playing various instruments. They paraded the Ark into Jerusalem and placed it under a tent they had prepared before. Then they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings to the presence of God. After completing the sacrificial ceremony, King David blessed all present in God’s name.
Afterward, an angel of God commanded David to build an altar for God at the threshing floor of “Araunah the Jebusite”. David immediately went to the designated spot and asked to purchase the threshing floor as the angel had shown him. Araunah agreed instantly. He even offered the threshing floor, a few cows for sacrificing, some wheat to make flour, and some firewood for free. But King David refused, explaining, “No! I will buy them from you at full price. I will not offer to the Lord burnt offerings that cost me nothing”. David bought the threshing floor and the cows for 600 shekels of gold. He constructed an altar to offer burnt and peace offerings to God.
After acquiring the land, David instructed the craftsmen to shape square stones to construct God’s house. He gathered copper and cypress wood from the region of Sidon and procured all the essential materials needed for the project.
David’s advice and will
After realizing that he was not allowed to build the house of God, David delivered a speech in a gathering attended by all the chiefs of the tribes of Israel, including the chiefs of the twelve tribes and other military commanders, dignitaries, and all servants:
“O my people, I, David son of Jesse, had intended to build a house for God in this city and had made extensive preparations for it. But God said to me, ‘Because you are a man of war and have shed blood, you shall not build a house in My name.’
However, God has chosen me as the king of the Israelites from among all the tribes of my father’s family. And from all my sons, He has chosen Solomon to sit on the throne after me. He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the only one who will build My house.’ Although Solomon is young and weak and has a great task ahead of him, rest assured, O my son, that God will be with you to help you succeed and build My house as He has commanded.
I have done everything in my power to prepare for building the house. I have procured precious stones, cedar and cypress wood, iron, bronze, gold, and silver, and countless valuable materials you can use”. He then turned to the crowd and told them they could also participate in constructing God’s house by offering gold and precious stones.
After advising and instructing Solomon and the audience, David asked Solomon to rule by the laws and regulations given by Moses to preserve God’s commandments.
The Beginning of Solomon’s Reign
In the wake of King David’s passing, Solomon assumed the throne. The construction of God’s house began atop Mount Moriah in Jerusalem in the fourth year of his reign, during the second month (Iyar) of the year 2928 in the Hebrew calendar. The site was the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, where the angel of the Lord had appeared to King David. To aid him in this grand endeavor, Solomon invited Hiram, the ruler of Tyre (a city in present-day Lebanon), who was a close friend of his father.
As per the agreements between Solomon and Hiram, Solomon pledged to provide some of the food supplies for the people of Tyre, including oil and wheat, while Hiram agreed to supply cedar and cypress timber from the region of Tyre — known for its sturdy and excellent commercial quality — through maritime transportation to the port of Haifa for Solomon. Additionally, they reached an accord to send skilled laborers, craftsmen, and artists from Lebanon, proficient in carpentry, copperwork, carving, and stone-cutting.
Solomon’s first step was to dispatch a 30,000-man group of forced laborers to Lebanon to cut down trees. These laborers were divided into three groups of 10,000, working in Lebanon for one month and taking two months off to be with their families. Another group of 70,000 men was responsible for transportation, and 80,000 men were assigned to quarry stones from the mountain.
A select group of 3,300 individuals served as chief supervisors and overseers, managing the construction of God’s house, palaces, walls of Jerusalem, and other restoration projects.
Several measures were implemented to finance the construction of Beit HaMikdash and other buildings. The most significant ones included imposing heavy taxes on farmers and employing a certain number of men as forced laborers for four months each year (one month per season). Solomon also made agreements with neighboring rulers and merchants.
One of the skilled artists employed to construct the Temple was a person named Hiram from the tribe of Naphtali (not to be confused with King Hiram of Tyre). Hiram was called upon to serve Solomon and was entrusted with all the metalwork, copperwork, and bronze work for Beit HaMikdash. One of his most remarkable creations was two grand pillars at the entrance of the eastern courtyard of the Temple. Each pillar was initially cast as a single cylinder from pure copper, approximately 18 meters tall and 4 meters in diameter, later divided into two halves, each measuring around 9 meters.
The pillars were given meaningful names that conveyed deep and spiritual meanings. The pillar on the right was called “Jachin”, meaning “established and steadfast”, symbolizing the eternal stability of God’s law (Torah and Judaism). The pillar on the left was named “Boaz”, a combination of the Hebrew words “bo” and “az”, meaning “strength is in it”, signifying a powerful [Jewish] nation as long as they are obedient to God’s commandments.
Two 2.5-meter crown-like copper capitals shaped like half spheres were installed on either end of the pillars. They were designed on their sides with intricate copper patterns resembling a chain of flowers. Additionally, two hundred pomegranate-shaped ornaments were artistically embroidered in two rows at the junction of the pillars and capitals. All the decorations used on the pillars and capitals were done uniformly.
Other crafts by Hiram
Besides these creations, Hiram also designed and crafted an elaborate circular basin for the ceremonial washing of the priests, made of pure copper, cast in one piece, and with a capacity of approximately 35 cubic meters. It was supported by twelve legs that were designed as cows. So the basin stood on twelve cows. Each three cows were placed in one of the four cardinal directions at a 90-degree angle, facing away from the basin. For cleaning burnt offerings, ten small basins were used, each with a capacity of approximately one cubic meter, all made of pure copper.
Other exquisite works included ten golden lampstands on ten golden tables placed in pairs on both sides of the Holy of Holies (Hekhal). There was also a square copper altar, about 9 meters long and 5 meters high, for offering burnt sacrifices and grain offerings. In addition to these items, Hiram crafted numerous golden vessels, including bowls, furnaces, candle holders, dustpans, tongs, spoons, and other utensils.
Details of the construction of the Beit HaMikdash
The construction of Solomon’s Temple began in the 480th year after the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt. The structure was a rectangular building, approximately 30 meters long, 10 meters wide, and 15 meters high, spread over three floors, erected on a rectangular courtyard.
The main entrance of the Temple was on the eastern side and had two pillars on each side. The entrances to the floors and the rooms with balconies around the Temple were on the right side of the building.
The windows of the Temple were designed so that they were smaller on the inside and larger and broader on the outside. The interpretation of these windows was that, unlike ordinary windows that let light in from the outside, Beit HaMikdash did not need external light; instead, the divine light radiated from the inside and illuminated the outside world.
The stones used in the walls of the Temple were precisely cut to the required sizes at the quarry and then assembled at the construction site without using iron tools. This was done to ensure that no external noise disturbed the tranquility of God’s house. Another reason for not using iron tools was to preserve the sanctity and holiness of God’s house, since the same metal was used to make tools and weapons of war, such as spears and swords. Using this metal in constructing the Temple was inappropriate, considering the respect and peace that should be maintained.
To cut these stones, craftsmen relied on a mysterious worm known as the “Shamir”. This creature was believed to possess the unique ability to secrete acidic substances that could skillfully split stones as it passed through them, creating grooves and cutting the stones. Some also believed it had radiation power.
The ceiling and ground of the Temple consisted of wooden panels made from cypress wood, and skilled marquetry artists carved beautiful designs — from flowers and plants to angelic figures — on the surface of these panels. The entire floor was covered with pine wood, and all these wooden coverings inside God’s house were overlaid with pure gold.
A 10*10*10 meter Holy of Holies was designed inside the Temple, covered in gold and adorned with golden chains. The doors were intricately carved from olive wood and separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple with patterned linen curtains.
There were two angels made of olive wood in the Holy of Holies, with outstretched wings and approximately 5 meters tall. The wingspan of each angel also reached 5 meters, and both angels were covered in gold and positioned side by side inside the room. They were above the Ark.
The inauguration of the Temple of HaMikdash
After seven years and the ceaseless efforts of thousands of individuals, the construction of Beit HaMikdash was completed and the Temple was ready for use. Solomon’s initial step was to transfer all the endowments of his father, Prophet David, into the treasury of this Temple.
On the first day of the Festival of Booths (Sukkot) in the month of Tishrei, Solomon transferred the Ark of the Covenant and all the sacred items in a special ceremony with the help of Levites, in the presence of foreign guests, all Israeli dignitaries, tribal chiefs, officials, and a countless crowd of people. Immediately, the priests placed the Ark of the Covenant in its designated place inside the Holy of Holies, under the wings of the angels.
The Ark held the Ten Commandments tablets that Prophet Moses brought from Mount Sinai for the Children of Israel and the broken Ten Commandments tablets within it. There was also Moses’s staff, Manna, and Aaron’s staff (which had miraculously blossomed as evidence of his Divine authority). One of the 13 volumes of the Torah written by Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) was also placed alongside the Ark in its special place in the Holy of Holies in the Heikal.
No one except the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) was granted permission to enter the Holy of Holies. However, even the High Priest could only enter four times a year, specifically on the sacred occasion of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), to carry out the rituals.
The grand opening ceremony lasted 14 days, during which more than 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep were sacrificed. The golden altar, prepared for the burnt offerings, was so crowded that it could not accommodate all the burnt offerings, meal offerings, and peace offerings. A group of Levites led by Asaph, dressed in linen garments, played musical instruments in the eastern part of the altar, creating melodious and harmonious sounds while praising and glorifying God. Following this ceremony, Solomon stood beside the golden altar, knelt in front of the assembly, lifted his hands towards the heavens, and, after offering prayers and supplications, said,
“Now, O my Lord, You observe this crowd and hear the supplications they make here. I constructed a house for You with utmost sincerity and complete faith so that Your glory and light can be there forever. Hear the supplication of Your servants and the Children of Israel, who pray to You; and when you hear [them], forgive”.
When Solomon finished his prayer and supplications to the Lord, he stood up in the presence of the assembly and prayed for them. He declared, “May all the nations of the earth know that the Lord alone is God, and there is no other”.
Solomon completely fulfilled his and his father’s wish. Thereafter, Jerusalem became the center of Jewish worship, and every Jewish individual was obliged to visit the House of God at least three times a year from the farthest corners of Judah and Israel and offer sacrifices.
Sources:
Torah, Books of Kings and Chronicles
History of Jerusalem (Beit al-Maqdis)
My People, History of the Children of Israel, Abba Eban
History of the Jews, Parviz Rahbar
Mythical Beliefs: Yusuf Sitarahshenas