24 Interesting Facts about Herod’s Temple

Dan November 9, 2024

Herod’s Temple, also known as the Second Temple, was an ambitious reconstruction and expansion of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem under the reign of King Herod the Great. Herod, a client king of the Roman Empire, initiated the grand project around 20 BCE, and it was completed in approximately 64 CE, just a few years before the temple was destroyed. Herod’s renovation was not just a rebuilding of the existing structure but a dramatic transformation into a monumental complex, designed to elevate Jerusalem’s religious and cultural importance. The temple complex stood as one of the greatest architectural feats of the ancient world.

The Second Temple, originally built in the 6th century BCE by the Jewish people returning from Babylonian exile, had fallen into disrepair. Herod’s extensive rebuilding program aimed to not only restore the temple but to make it an extraordinary symbol of his power, grandeur, and loyalty to Judaism, while also pleasing the Roman authorities. The Temple Mount was expanded, with Herod’s construction transforming the area into a vast platform with the temple sitting at the center, surrounded by courtyards, porticos, and walls that were designed to reflect both Hellenistic and Roman influences.

One of the most significant aspects of Herod’s Temple was its size and opulence. The temple building itself was made of white limestone and marble, and it was adorned with gold and bronze, making it a dazzling sight. The temple’s outer courtyard, known as the Court of the Gentiles, was a vast open space where non-Jews could gather, while the inner courtyards were increasingly restricted to Jewish worshippers. The innermost sanctum, the Holy of Holies, was the most sacred area, and only the High Priest could enter it once a year, on Yom Kippur, to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people.

The temple was not only a religious center but also a political symbol. Herod used its construction to solidify his authority among the Jewish people and the Roman Empire. The grandeur of the temple was meant to assert the strength of the Jewish people and their traditions under his rule while also reinforcing his alliance with Rome. It became a symbol of Jewish identity, religious fervor, and national pride. The temple’s role as a place of Jewish pilgrimage was central to the faith, with Jews coming from all over the ancient world to worship, particularly during major festivals like Passover.

Herod’s Temple stood for nearly 100 years before it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE during the Siege of Jerusalem, following a Jewish revolt. The destruction of the temple marked the end of the Second Temple period and had a profound impact on Judaism, leading to the development of Rabbinic Judaism. The Western Wall (or Wailing Wall), a surviving remnant of the temple’s retaining wall, remains one of the holiest sites in Judaism today. The legacy of Herod’s Temple continues to echo through religious history, representing both the glory and the fragility of ancient empires and the enduring significance of Jerusalem in the world’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Here are 24 interesting facts about Herod’s Temple to know more about it.

1. Herod’s Vision: King Herod the Great initiated the extensive rebuilding of the Second Temple in 20 BCE, transforming it into one of the grandest structures in the ancient world.
2. Herod’s Motive: Herod’s renovation of the temple was partly to gain favor with his Jewish subjects, many of whom had long desired a more glorious temple, and also to impress Roman authorities.
3. Scale of the Project: The project took about 46 years to complete, with significant work continuing into the 1st century CE. The temple was still not finished when it was destroyed in 70 CE.
4. Expansion of the Temple Mount: Herod expanded the temple platform by enlarging the Temple Mount, which became one of the largest religious complexes in the ancient world.
5. Golden Dome: Herod’s Temple was renowned for its golden façade, especially the massive golden plates that adorned the outside, making it shine brightly in the sun.
6. White Marble Construction: The temple’s structure was built with white limestone and marble, giving it a gleaming, radiant appearance, especially under sunlight.
7. The Court of the Gentiles: The outermost courtyard of the temple, known as the Court of the Gentiles, was the largest section and allowed non-Jews to enter, though they could not go beyond it.
8. Sacred Inner Courts: Only Jews were allowed to enter the inner courts, including the Court of Women, the Court of Israel, and the Court of Priests.
9. The Holy of Holies: The innermost sanctum, the Holy of Holies, housed the Ark of the Covenant in earlier temples but contained only an empty chamber by Herod’s time. Only the High Priest could enter this area, and only once a year on Yom Kippur.
10. The Temple’s Size: The dimensions of the temple complex were massive. The entire Temple Mount platform was about 36 acres (15 hectares), which is roughly 15 times the size of the original Second Temple.
11. Roman Influence: Herod’s design for the temple incorporated both Jewish religious traditions and Roman architectural elements, such as large colonnades and a grand, monumental scale.
12. Bronze Doors: The temple’s doors were made of bronze and were so large they could only be opened with great effort, making them a striking feature of the structure.
13. The “Noble Sanctuary”: Herod’s Temple became the focal point of Jewish religious life and was often referred to as the “Noble Sanctuary” due to its magnificent structure and sacred importance.
14. Wealth and Luxury: The temple was richly adorned with gold, silver, and other precious materials. The Holy Place contained gold-covered furnishings, such as the altar of incense and the table for the showbread.
15. Pilgrimages: The temple was a central pilgrimage site for Jews, especially during the major Jewish festivals like Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, when Jews from all over the ancient world gathered to worship.
16. The Temple’s Menorah: The Menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, stood in the temple’s Holy Place and was a prominent feature. It was one of the most recognizable symbols of Judaism.
17. The Destruction: The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, following the Jewish revolt. The destruction marked the end of the Second Temple period and the beginning of the Jewish diaspora.
18. The Western Wall: The only surviving part of Herod’s Temple is the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall), which remains one of the holiest sites in Judaism today.
19. Historical Accounts: Much of what is known about Herod’s Temple comes from historical accounts such as those by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who described its grandeur and eventual destruction.
20. Roman Siege: The Romans, led by Titus, laid siege to Jerusalem during the First Jewish-Roman War, eventually breaching the city’s walls and destroying the temple. The event is commemorated by the Arch of Titus in Rome.
21. The Temple as a Symbol: The destruction of Herod’s Temple profoundly impacted Judaism, leading to the rise of Rabbinic Judaism and the focus on prayer and study rather than temple sacrifices.
22. Symbol of Jewish Identity: Herod’s Temple symbolized Jewish religious unity and national identity, especially under Roman rule, which had often been a source of tension for the Jewish people.
23. Herod’s Personal Involvement: Herod was personally invested in the project, overseeing its construction and ensuring that it met the highest architectural and artistic standards.
24. A New Temple: The idea of a future, Third Temple, often associated with messianic prophecies, remains an important theme in Jewish eschatology and continues to inspire religious discussions to this day.

Herod’s Temple, one of the most impressive architectural feats of the ancient world, left a profound legacy on both Jewish history and religious practices. Its grandeur symbolized Jewish pride and resilience, standing as a central place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries. The temple’s opulent design and massive scale, blending Jewish traditions with Roman architectural influences, were a testament to King Herod’s ambition and his efforts to solidify his rule. For the Jewish people, it represented a spiritual and national center, with its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE marking a pivotal moment in history that signaled the end of the Second Temple period.

Today, the Western Wall, the last remaining part of Herod’s Temple, continues to be one of the holiest sites in Judaism, drawing millions of visitors and pilgrims annually. The fall of the temple, while devastating for the Jewish people, led to the evolution of Rabbinic Judaism and the reshaping of Jewish religious practices, focusing on prayer and study rather than temple sacrifices. Herod’s Temple remains a powerful symbol of both the triumphs and tragedies of Jewish history, reflecting the enduring connection of the Jewish people to their ancient heritage and the city of Jerusalem.