The Second Temple, often referred to 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.

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. The decree of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, in 538 BC allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in Ezra 1:2-4 : "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.'"

Leadership and Construction

The rebuilding of the Temple was led by Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua the high priest. Zerubbabel was a descendant of David, which linked the restoration efforts to the Davidic line. The foundation of the Second Temple was laid in 536 BC, but construction faced significant opposition and delays, as described in Ezra 4:4-5 : "Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia."

Despite these challenges, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to continue the work. Haggai 1:8 records God's command: "Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD."

Completion and Dedication

The Temple was finally completed in 516 BC, during the sixth year of King Darius's reign, as noted in Ezra 6:15 : "And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius." The dedication of the Temple was a momentous occasion, celebrated with sacrifices and joy, as described in Ezra 6:16-18 .

Significance and Features

While the Second Temple lacked some of the grandeur and sacred artifacts of Solomon's Temple, such as the Ark of the Covenant, it 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 Law of Moses.

The Second Temple period also saw significant developments in Jewish religious thought and practice, laying the groundwork for the emergence of various Jewish sects and the eventual coming of Jesus Christ, who would teach and minister in this very Temple.

Prophetic and Messianic Expectations

The Second Temple was central to Jewish messianic expectations. The prophet Haggai spoke of a future glory for this Temple, greater than the former, in Haggai 2:9 : "The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts."

Later Developments

The Second Temple underwent significant renovations and expansions under Herod the Great, beginning around 20 BC, which transformed it into a magnificent structure. However, it retained its identity as the Second Temple until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:2 : "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

The restoration of the Temple by Zerubbabel remains a testament to God's faithfulness and the resilience of His people, serving as a focal point for worship and a symbol of hope and renewal.Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
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Ezra 2:68,69
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
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Ezra 3:2-13
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brothers, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
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Ezra 4:1
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity built the temple to the LORD God of Israel;
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Ezra 5:2-17
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
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Ezra 6:3-5
In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof three score cubits, and the breadth thereof three score cubits;
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Nehemiah 7:70-72
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
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Isaiah 44:28
That said of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built; and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid.
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Haggai 2:3
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
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Altar and Temple
... The whole ritual was restored, as the narrative tells with obvious ... The second part
of the passage narrates the laying of the foundations of the Temple. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

The Kingdom Restored
... VII THE KINGDOM RESTORED. Ezra Page Nehemiah Page. ... Chapter VI. The Dedication of
the Temple: 1. What kings aided? ... Chapter VII. The Second Return Under Ezra: ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/vii the kingdom restored.htm

Zechariah
... shall be graciously dealt with and the temple rebuilt. The second is a vision,
i.18-21, of the ... more specifically with the leaders of the restored community on ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zechariah.htm

"Not by Might, nor by Power"
... The promise, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the ... Shortly afterward the restored
temple was dedicated ... The second temple did not equal the first in magnificence ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 48 not by might.htm

The Captivity of Judah.
... Jer.25:1, Dan.1:1-7. (2) The second invasion and ... They seem to have built a temple
there and did much ... proper place in worship when they were restored; (b) They ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xv the captivity of.htm

Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... Before they departed, Cyrus restored to them the ... Zerubbabel was also entrusted with
large contributions toward ... the foundations of the second temple were then ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/hebrew captives or mordecai and.htm

Malachi.
... of his Messianic predictions found in the second part ... Eight Visions Encouraging the
Rebuilding of the Temple, Chs.1 ... 3. The restored and penitent people, Chs.12-13 ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxiii malachi.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... cherished expectation of seeing the Theocracy restored to its ... visit to Babylon in
the thirty-second year of ... complain, will suddenly come to his temple to sit ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... the sixth year of his reign the second temple was completed ... of Artaxerxes, king of
Persia," led a second caravan of ... undertook a census of the restored city, but ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm

Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
... writings which are lost shall be restored to his ... The second of them abounds in
marvellous legends"how ... upon the destruction of the first temple, the sacred ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix the apocryphal books of.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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