the defenses of the city, and was likewise without external gates. On the south side, which was
enclosed by the wall of Ophel, there were notable gates nearly in the centre. These gates still exist
at a distance of about 365 feet from the southwestern angle, and are perhaps the only architectural
features of the temple of Herod which remain in situ. This entrance consists of a double archway
of Cyclopean architecture on the level of the ground, opening into a square vestibule measuring 40
feet each way. From this a double funnel nearly 200 feet in length, leads to a flight of steps which
rise to the surface in the court of the temple, exactly at that gateway of the inner temple which led
to the altar, and is one of the four gateways on this side by which any one arriving from Ophel
would naturally wish to enter the inner enclosure. We learn from the Talmud that the gate of the
inner temple to which this passage led was called the “water gate;” and it is interesting to be able
to identify a spot so prominent in the description of Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 12:37) Toward the west
there were four gateways to the external enclosure of the temple. The most magnificent part of the
temple, in an architectural point of view, seems certainly to have been the cloisters which were
added to the outer court when it was enlarged by Herod. The cloisters in the west, north and east
sides were composed of double rows of Corinthian columns, 25 cubits or 37 feet 6 inches in height,
with flat roof, and resting against the outer wall of the temple. These, however, were immeasurably
surpassed in magnificence by the royal porch or Stoa Basilica, which overhung the southern wall.
It consisted of a nave and two aisled, that toward the temple being open, that toward the country
closed by a wall. The breadth of the centre aisle was 95 feet of the side aisles, 30 from centre to
centre of the pillars; their height 50 feet, and that of the centre aisle 100 feet. Its section was thus
something in excess of that of York Cathedral, while its total length was one stadium or 600 Greek
feet, or 100 feet in excess of York or our largest Gothic cathedrals. This magnificent structure was
supported by 162 Corinthian columns. The porch on the east was called “Solomon’s Porch.” The
court of the temple was very nearly a square. It may have been exactly so, for we have not the
details to enable us to feel quite certain about it. To the eastward of this was the court of the women.
The great ornament of these inner courts seems to have been their gateways, the three especially
on the north end south leading to the temple court. These according to Josephus, were of great
height, strongly fortified and ornamented with great elaboration. But the wonder of all was the
great eastern gate leading from the court of the women to the upper court. It was in all probability
the one called the “beautiful gate” in the New Testament. immediately within this gateway stood
the altar of burnt offerings. Both the altar and the temple were enclosed by a low parapet, one cubit
in height, placed so as to keep the people separate from the priests while the latter were performing
their functions. Within this last enclosure, toward the westward, stood the temple itself. As before
mentioned, its internal dimensions were the same as those of the temple of Solomon. Although
these remained the same, however, there seems no reason to doubt that. the whole plan was
augmented by the pteromata, or surrounding parts being increased from 10 to 20 cubits, so that the
third temple, like the second, measured 60 cubits across and 100 cubits east and west. The width
of the facade was also augmented by wings or shoulders projecting 20 cubits each way, making
the whole breadth 100 cubits, or equal to the length. There is no reason for doubting that the
sanctuary always stood on identically the same spot in which it had been placed by Solomon a
thousand years before it was rebuilt by Herod. The temple of Herod was destroyed by the Romans
under Titus, Friday, August 9, A.D. 70. A Mohammedan mosque now stands on its site.
Ten Commandments
frankie
(Frankie)
#1