Topical Bible: Temple: Herod the Great's Temple: Treasury of

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Herod the Great's Temple, often referred to as the Second Temple, was a grand reconstruction of the original temple built after the Babylonian exile. This temple, located in Jerusalem, was a central place of worship and played a significant role in the religious life of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus. One of the notable features of Herod's Temple was its treasury, which held great importance both religiously and economically.

Structure and Function

The treasury of Herod's Temple was situated within the Court of the Women, an area accessible to all Jews, both men and women. This location was strategic, as it allowed for the collection of offerings from a broad segment of the population. The treasury consisted of thirteen trumpet-shaped chests, known as "shofar chests," each designated for specific types of offerings. These offerings included the temple tax, freewill offerings, and funds for various temple services and sacrifices.

The treasury served as a repository for the wealth of the temple, which was used to maintain the temple's operations, support the priesthood, and fund charitable activities. The financial contributions collected in the treasury were essential for the daily sacrifices and the upkeep of the temple's elaborate structure.

Biblical References

The New Testament provides insight into the significance of the temple treasury. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus observes the contributions made by the people and highlights the offering of a poor widow: "Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury'" (Mark 12:43). This account underscores the spiritual value of sacrificial giving, regardless of the amount.

Additionally, the Gospel of Matthew records an incident involving the temple tax: "When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, 'Does your Teacher pay the two-drachma tax?'" (Matthew 17:24). This tax was a mandatory contribution for the maintenance of the temple, illustrating the financial obligations of the Jewish people to support their central place of worship.

Historical Context

Herod's Temple was renowned for its architectural splendor and was considered one of the most magnificent structures of its time. The temple treasury, therefore, was not only a place for collecting offerings but also a symbol of the temple's wealth and the devotion of the Jewish people. The funds gathered in the treasury were crucial for sustaining the temple's grandeur and ensuring the continuation of its religious functions.

The destruction of Herod's Temple in 70 AD by the Romans marked the end of the temple treasury's role in Jewish religious life. However, the accounts of the treasury in the New Testament continue to offer valuable lessons on the nature of giving and the priorities of the heart in worship.

Nave's Topical Index

Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Book 18 Footnotes
... for the repairs or other uses of the temple, Mark 12:41 ... made here by some critics,
as the great Eusebius had ... Luke mentions as smiting Herod, Acts 12:23, and not ...
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