What is a…
temple
This word is first used of the tabernacle, which is called “the temple of the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:9).
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 temple” (1 Kings 6:17)
“the temple of the Lord” (2 Kings 11:10 KJV, NKJV, AKJV, NIV, etc.)
“house of the Lord”—NASB, ESV
- “thy holy temple” (Psalm 79:1)
- “the house of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 23:5, 12)
- “the house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3)
- “the house of my glory” (Isaiah 60:7)
- an “house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13)
- “an house of sacrifice” (2 Chronicles 7:12)
- “the house of their sanctuary” (2 Chronicles 36:17)
- ”the mountain of the Lord's house” (Isaiah 2:2)
- “our holy and our beautiful house” (Isaiah64:11)
- “the holy mount” (Isaiah27:13)
- “the palace for the Lord God” (1 Chronicles 29:1)
- “the tabernacle of witness” (2 Chronicles 24:6)
- “Zion” (Psalm 74:2; 84:7)
- Christ calls it “my Father's house” (John 2:16).
The second temple
In the New Testament, the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” …He was speaking of the temple of His body. —John 2:19, 21, 21) NASB
Believers are called “the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16,17).
The Church is designated “a holy temple in the Lord.”
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple [or sanctuary] in the Lord —Ephesians 2:21 NASB).
“In Old Testament times, God manifested himself in the Temple. Today, he dwells in us. We have a responsibility to represent God’s presence to a dying world.” (from video “On the Prophets & Kings of Israel”)
Heaven is called God’s temple.
they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple [or sanctuary]; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” —Rev. 7:15-17 NASB
We read also of the heathen “temple of the great goddess Diana” (Acts 19:27).
More information
- tabernacle
- sanctuary
- Holy Place
- Holy of Holies
- holiness
- ark—of the Covenant
- Ark of the Covenant, lost or found?
- cherumbim
- angel
- curtain
- altar
- sacrifice
- candlestick
- showbread
- the molten sea—in the Temple’s inner court
- laver
- rope tied on the high priest, when entering the Holy of Holies
- Aaron—ministered as High Priest
- High priest
- ephod
- washing
- sanctification