The Second Temple, also known as Zerubbabel's Temple, holds a significant place in Jewish history and biblical narrative. It was constructed after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, marking a pivotal moment in the restoration of Israel's religious and national identity. The dedication of the Second Temple is a key event that underscores the faithfulness of God to His covenant people and the perseverance of the Jewish community in re-establishing worship according to the Law of Moses.

Historical Context

The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, leading to the exile of the Jewish people. After approximately 70 years, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10), the Persian King Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). This return was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest.

Construction and Challenges

The rebuilding of the Temple began around 536 BC but faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples and internal discouragement, causing delays (Ezra 4:1-5). The work was eventually resumed under the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2). Haggai exhorted the people to prioritize the construction of the Temple, promising that the glory of the latter house would surpass that of the former (Haggai 2:9).

Dedication of the Temple

The Second Temple was completed in the sixth year of King Darius' reign, around 516 BC (Ezra 6:15). The dedication of the Temple was a momentous occasion, marked by joy and reverence. The people of Israel celebrated with sacrifices and offerings, as recorded in Ezra 6:16-18 : "Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, as well as twelve male goats as a sin offering for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel."

The dedication ceremony was not only a religious event but also a reaffirmation of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The priests and Levites were appointed to their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses (Ezra 6:18).

Significance in Jewish Worship

The Second Temple became the center of Jewish worship and religious life. It was here that the sacrificial system was reinstated, and the festivals were observed according to the Mosaic Law. The Temple served as a symbol of God's presence among His people and a focal point for Jewish identity and continuity.

Later Developments

The Second Temple underwent significant renovations and expansions under Herod the Great, beginning around 20 BC, which greatly enhanced its grandeur. However, the core of the Temple remained the structure built by Zerubbabel and the returning exiles. The Second Temple stood until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70, an event that profoundly impacted Jewish history and religious practice.

The dedication of the Second Temple is a testament to the resilience of the Jewish faith and the fulfillment of God's promises, serving as a reminder of the importance of worship and obedience to God's commands.Ezra 6:15-18
And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Nave's Topical Index

Of the Building of this Temple
... the fourth year of his reign, on the second month, which ... Now when the king had divided
the temple into two ... He also dedicated for the most secret place, whose ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

The Description of Jerusalem.
... of it that stood northward of the temple, and joined ... gratify his own private affections,
and dedicated these towers ... The second tower, which he named from his ...
/.../chapter 4 the description of.htm

Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected ...
... So he dedicated the city to the province, and the ... largest prizes upon the hundred
ninety-second olympiad; in ... gate which he had himself erected in the temple. ...
/.../chapter 21 of the temple.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... were to worship, there was a necessity for a second gate for ... This part of the temple
therefore was in height sixty ... and that they are all to be dedicated to his ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

"Not by Might, nor by Power"
... Shortly afterward the restored temple was dedicated. ... The second temple did not equal
the first in magnificence, nor was it hallowed by those visible tokens of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 48 not by might.htm

How Herod Rebuilt the Temple and Raised it Higher and Made it More ...
... from barbarous nations; all these had been dedicated to the ... and not far from it,
was the second, to be ... together with their wives; but the temple further inward ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how herod rebuilt.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... Epiphanes, was once more purified, and re-dedicated to the ... in Christ's former Discourse
in the Temple (John 10:13 ... it is all promise, and the second clause only ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther.
... Wycliffe called them the first and second Esdras and later they ... I. The Rebuilding
of the Temple, Chs.1-6. ... The Walls Dedicated and Nehemiah's Reform, Chs.11-13. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xi ezra nehemiah and.htm

Apion Book 1 Footnotes
... of Antiquities, and at last his two books against Apion, and yet dedicated all those ...
number here for the year of Darius, in which the second temple was finished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/apion book 1 footnotes.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... Among other things they said to her: When your parents dedicated you to the Temple,
they made a ... the first set of garments was removed and the second put on. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was Zerubbabel's temple/the second temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was Solomon's temple / the first temple? How many temples were there? | GotQuestions.org

Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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