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Solomon's Temple (Outer)

3D scenes of the outside of Solomon's temple.
Contributed by Bible Scenes
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, German
1
Building on the temple began in the 4th year of Solomon's reign and it took 7 years to build. The site of the Temple was on the eastern of the two hills on which Jerusalem was built - known as Mount Moriah. <br/>Solomon spared no expense in the construction. He ordered vast quantities of cedar wood from King Hiram of Tyre and had huge blocks of the choicest stone quarried. Over 1,086 talents (34 tonnes) of gold from Ophir were used along with 1,017,000 talents of silver (34,600 tonnes). Solomon had 70,000 carriers and 80,000 stone cutters in the hills, as well as 3,300 foremen who supervised the project and directed the workmen. – Slide 1
2
Two courts surrounded the Temple. The Inner Court was separated from the space beyond by a wall of three courses of hewn stone, surmounted by cedar beams. It contained the Altar of burnt-offering, the Molten Sea laver and ten other lavers. <br/>The Great Court surrounded the whole Temple. It was here that people assembled to worship (Jeremiah 19:14; 26:2). – Slide 2
3
A large part of the limestone of which the temple was built came from quarries in the immediate neighborhood of Jerusalem. <br/>The stones were cut, hewn and polished at the quarries, so that the sound of any hammer, axe or metal tool was never heard in the house, while it was being built.’ – Slide 3
4
The Temple faced east, Internally, the dimensions were, in length and width, double those of the tabernacle: 60 cubits (30m, 90ft) long by 20 cubits wide (10m,30ft). In height the Temple was 30 cubits (15m, 45ft), three times that of the tabernacle. A cubit was approximately 46cm, (18 in) so these measurements are close estimates). <br/>Around the Temple, on its two sides and at the back, were three storeys of storage chambers, each storey being 5 cubits in height. The door admitting into these chambers was in the middle of the right side of the house, and winding stairs led up to the second and third storeys. – Slide 4
5
The porch was 20 cubits (10m, 30ft) wide - and 10 cubits deep. Its height was 120 cubits (60m,180 ft). <br/>Two bronze pillars stood in front of the porch. They were 18 cubits (9m, 27 ft) in height and 12 cubits (6m,18 ft) in circumference. These pillars were richly ornamented with designs of pomegranates, lilies and chained meshes. – Slide 5
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At the entrance of the Temple were folding doors overlaid with gold, with their lintels 5 cubits (2.3m, 7.6ft) in width. All the doors had hinges of gold. – Slide 6
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There were 10 bronze basins in the inner court, 5 on the south and 5 on the north sides of temple. They were used to wash the sacrifices. – Slide 7
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These bronze basins stood on square panelled bases to which wheels were attached. Their sides were decorated with figures of lions, oxen and cherubim, with wreathed work beneath. – Slide 8
9
A new feature in the south-east corner of the inner court - taking the place of the ‘laver’ in the tabernacle - was an immense basin of bronze called the ‘molten sea’. It was 5 cubits (2.3m,7.5 ft.) high, 10 cubits (5m,15 ft.) in diameter at the brim, and 30 cubits (15m, 45 ft.) in circumference, resting on 12 bronze oxen. The oxen faced the four cardinal points of the compass - three looking each way. – Slide 9
10
The bronze oxen faced the four cardinal points of the compass - three looking each way. <br/>The ‘molten sea’, like the laver, supplied the water for the washing of the priests' hands and feet. – Slide 10
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The most prominent object in the Temple-court was the altar of burnt offering, or brazen altar. It was 20 cubits (10m, 30 ft.) square with steps leading up to it. – Slide 11
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The altar was built on the site of the threshing floor that David had purchased from Araunah (2 Samuel 2:18-25). This altar in the courtyard was used for the many animal sacrifices that were brought to the Temple. – Slide 12
13
When completed, the Temple was dedicated to God in prayer by Solomon and worship led by choirs and musicians. The temple was filled with the ‘glory of the Lord’. It was followed by lavish sacrifices and a two-week feast. – Slide 13
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Slide 14