The Significance of the Temple in Scripture Explained

The concept of the "temple" in Scripture carries significant theological weight, evolving from a physical dwelling place for God to a metaphorical representation of Christ, believers, and the Church. Initially, the term was applied to the tabernacle, referred to as "the temple of the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:9) ^[1]. This early usage establishes the temple as a sacred space dedicated to the worship of God.

The most prominent physical temple in the Old Testament was the one built by Solomon on Mount Moriah, a structure whose grandeur and destruction have captivated attention throughout history ^{[1, 2]}. This temple was not merely a building but a symbol of God's presence on earth ^[6]. The construction of Solomon's temple involved extensive preparations and was a monumental undertaking, described in detail in 1 Kings 6 and 2 Chronicles 3-5 ^{[9, 11]}. While it was a physical edifice, Solomon himself recognized that God could not be contained within a man-made structure, praying that the Lord would "have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant" rather than implying God's literal dwelling within the building ^[10].

After the destruction of Solomon's temple, a second temple was built on the same site, initiated by a decree from Cyrus and supported by his provisions (Ezra 1:1-4, 6:3-5) ^[4]. This second temple also served as a central place for divine worship, with services commencing even before its foundation was fully laid (Ezra 3:1-6) ^[4].

Beyond these historical structures, the concept of the temple expands metaphorically in Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to his own body as the temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19, 21) ^[1]. This statement foreshadows his death and resurrection, reorienting the understanding of God's dwelling from a physical building to Christ himself.

The apostle Paul further develops this metaphor, identifying believers as "the temple of God" (1 Cor. 3:16, 17) ^[1]. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:16, explains that this refers to the church members, incorporated together in a Gospel church state, as God's building, in allusion to Solomon's temple ^[12]. The Church is also designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21) ^[1]. This signifies that through the indwelling Spirit, believers collectively form God's sanctuary on earth ^[6].

The prophetic visions of Ezekiel also contribute significantly to the understanding of the temple. Ezekiel 40-48 describes an idealized temple, which Matthew Henry interprets as a vision of the "mystical temple, the gospel-church" ^[8]. This vision includes precise dimensions and details for courtyards and rituals, though it differs from actual biblical models, suggesting an ideal blueprint for God's command ^[3]. The prophet is led through various parts of this visionary temple, including the courts and the temple itself, symbolizing a deeper understanding of spiritual truths for those who diligently attend to God's instructions ^[7]. The glory of the Lord is depicted as returning to this temple, promising God's continued presence with His people if they adhere to His ways (Ezekiel 43:1-6) ^{[8, 13]}.

The temple's significance is also highlighted in its association with sacred oaths, as Jesus states, "And whoever swears by the Temple, swears by it, and by him that dwells therein" (Matt. 23:21 Geneva1599). He also emphasizes the temple's sanctifying power, asking, "Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?" (Matt. 23:17 NASB) ^[5].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Temple — First used of the tabernacle, which is called "the temple of the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (John 2:19, 21). Believers are called "the temple of God" (1 Cor. 3:16, 17). The Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Rev. 7:5). We read also of the heathen "temple of the great goddess Diana" (Acts 19:27). This word is generally used in Scripture of the sacred house erected on the summit of Mount Moriah for the worship of God. It is called "the”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Temple — There is perhaps no building of the ancient world which has excited so much attention since the time of its destruction as the temple which Solomon built by Herod. Its spoils were considered worthy of forming the principal illustration of one of the most beautiful of Roman triumphal arches, and Justinian's highest architectural ambition was that he might surpass it. Throughout the middle ages it influenced to a considerable degree the forms of Christian churches, and its peculiarities were the watchwords and rallying-points of all associations of builders. Wh”
Dead Sea Scrolls “Temple Scroll (2nd century BCE (composition)), section 2: but rather an idealized blueprint for a temple that God commands to be built. The specifications are derived from and expand upon the biblical descriptions in Exodus 25-40, 1 Kings 6-8, and especially Ezekiel 40-48, but they differ significantly from all biblical models. The temple described in the scroll has three concentric square courtyards: The Inner Court: Surrounding the sanctuary building itself, reserved for priests and the most sacred rituals. The scroll specifies precise dimensions and describes the altar of burnt offering, th”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Temple, the Second — Built on the site of the first temple -- Ezr 6:2-12. Cyrus His decree for building, predicted. -- Isa 44:28. Gave a decree for building, in the first year of his reign. -- Ezr 1:1,2; 6:3. Gave permission to the Jews to go to Jerusalem to build. -- Ezr 1:3. Furnished means for building. -- Ezr 6:4. Ordered those who remained in Babylon to contribute to the building of. -- Ezr 1:4. Gave the vessels of the first temple for. -- Ezr 1:7-11; 6:5. Divine worship commenced before the foundation was laid -- Ezr 3:1-6. Materials for building procured from ”
Matthew “Matthew 23:17 (NASB) — "You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?”
Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 60:13: 60:13 The Temple was God’s sanctuary, the symbol of his presence on earth. Believers now are the temple of God by the indwelling Spirit (1 Cor 3:16). We still await the fullness of God’s presence (Rev 21:22).”
Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 41:1: We are still attending a prophet that is under the guidance of an angel, and therefore attend with reverence, though we are often at a loss to know both what this is and what it is to us. Observe here, 1. After the prophet had observed the courts he was at length brought to the temple, Eze 41:1. If we diligently attend to the instructions given us in the plainer parts of religion, and profit by them, we shall be led further into an acquaintance with the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Those that are willing to dwell in God's courts shall at length be brought ”
Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 43 (introduction): The prophet, having given us a view of the mystical temple, the gospel-church, as he received it from the Lord, that it might appear not to be erected in vain, comes to describe, in this and the next chapter, the worship that should be performed in it, but under the type of the Old Testament services. In this chapter we have, I. Possession taken of this temple, by the glory of God filling it (Eze 43:1-6). II. A promise given of the continuance of God's presence with his people upon condition of their return to, and continuance in, the instituted way ”
1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 6 (introduction): Great and long preparation had been making for the building of the temple, and here, at length, comes an account of the building of it; a noble piece of work it was, one of the wonders of the world, and taking in its spiritual significancy, one of the glories of the church. Here is, I. The time when it was built (Kg1 6:1), and how long it was in the building (Kg1 6:37, Kg1 6:38). II. The silence with which it was build (Kg1 6:7). III. The dimensions of it (Kg1 6:2, Kg1 6:3). IV. The message God sent to Solomon, when it was in the building (Kg1 6:11-13”
2 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Chronicles 6:18: how much less this house which I have built! Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant--No person who entertains just and exalted views of the spiritual nature of the Divine Being will suppose that he can raise a temple for the habitation of Deity, as a man builds a house for himself. Nearly as improper and inadmissible is the idea that a temple can contribute to enhance the glory of God, as a monument may be raised in honor of a great man. Solomon described the true and proper use of the temple, when he entreated that the Lord would "h”
2 Chronicles (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 2 Chronicles 2 (introduction): The Building of the Temple - 2 Chronicles 3-5:1 (Cf. 1 Kings 6; 7:13-51.) The description of the building begins with a statement of the place where and of the time when the temple was built (Ch2 3:1-2). Then follows an account of the proportions of the building, a description of the individual parts, commencing on the outside and advancing inwards. First we have the porch (Ch2 3:3, Ch2 3:4), then the house, i.e., the interior apartment or the holy place (Ch2 3:5-7), then the holiest of all, and cherubim therein (Ch2 3:8-13), and the veil of p”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:16: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,.... The apostle having spoken of the saints as God's building, of himself as a wise master builder, of Christ as the only foundation, and of various doctrines as the materials laid thereon, proceeds to observe to this church, and the members of it, that they being incorporated together in a Gospel church state, were the temple of God; and which was what they could not, or at least ought not, to be ignorant of: and they are so called, in allusion to Solomon's temple; which as it was a type of the natural, so of the myst”
Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 43 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 43 The temple or house of God being measured, the worship of God in it is pointed out and observed in this and the following chapter; and which, though evangelical, is expressed in the language of the Old Testament. An account is given of the glory of the Lord returning to the house, and the way he did, and his taking possession of it, which the prophet was favoured with a view of, Eze 43:1, a promise is made of his continuance there, provided his people behaved as they should, Eze 43:6, an order is given to the prophet, to show”

Ask Your Own Question