There are five primary sources for the study of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Temple of Herod. They are:
The Bible
The Books of Maccabees
Josephus*
The Dead Sea Scrolls
The Mishna***War book 5, chapter 5; Antiquities book 15 chapter 11
**tractates Middot, Tamid, Yoma, Shekalim
These five sources along with archaeological discoveries provide us with sufficient information about the Temple of Herod during the time of Jesus.
Source:
The Pilate Inscription is an inscribed relief with a dedicatory inscription to Tiberius Caesar bearing the name Pontius Pilate. It was discovered among the ruins of ancient Caesarea Maritima. It is the only known occurrence of the name Pontius Pilate...
Ancient Greek mythology was rich with a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each associated with various domains, powers, and legends. Here are some of the major deities worshipped in ancient Greece: Zeus: The king of the gods and the ruler of Mount Olym...
The religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians were complex and deeply intertwined with their daily lives. Here are some key aspects: Polytheistic Belief: Ancient Egyptians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who governed vario...
The Persian Gulf marked the southeast corner of the world of the Old Testament, with the Caspian Sea marking the northeast corner. Many rivers flow into the Persian Gulf including the famous Tigris and Euphrates rivers. In Old Testament times the nor...
The seven hills of Rome were very noticeable in the landscape of the city of Rome. The hills were no higher than 60 yards, but they had steep slopes that rose above the flat marshland. Several small streams flowed between the seven hills. The names o...
The Bible mentions Delilah as a woman of the valley of Sorek who Samson loved very much. The Philistines paid her a large sum of money to deceive Samson and entice him into revealing the secret of his great strength. After several attempts she finall...
The main sources available estimate that the population of those living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was probably around 80,000 to 100,000 citizens. But during the Passover hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Diaspora would pour into Jeru...
This map reveals the “Nations” within the ancient world during the first century A.D., the time of the New Testament. The New Testament world includes the areas of Israel, Asia, Greece, and Italy. During the life of Jesus his ministry took place ...
The ancient Persian Empire, known for its grandeur and administrative prowess, stands as a testament to the organizational genius of its rulers. From the Achaemenid to the Sassanian dynasties, the Persians created and administered a vast empire that ...
According to history the Emperor of Rome at the time of Jesus’ birth was Augustus. In 27 B.C., the Senate of Rome voted to give him the title Augustus, which means “the respected one.” He ruled the empire until 14 A.D. In the Bible Luke refers ...
In ancient Roman religion, Jupiter was the chief of the gods. The name “Jupiter” means “the best and greatest” (Optimus Maximus). He was identified with the Greek god Zeus. Jupiter was the spirit of the sky and worshiped as the god of thunder...
The name of Jesus, in its original language, was written in Hebrew as יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) or יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua). In the New Testament, the name appears in Greek as Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous). The specific form used in the Bible depen...
The pyramids of Egypt stand as iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization, representing remarkable architectural and engineering achievements. Constructed as tombs for pharaohs, these colossal structures continue to captivate the world with thei...
The Wilderness of Judea, mentioned in the Bible, refers to a geographical region located east of Jerusalem and extending toward the Dead Sea. It is characterized by its rugged terrain, barren landscapes, and limited vegetation, making it a challengin...
The Platform for the Temple compound built by Herod the Great was a monumental feat, considering the steepness of the surrounding terrain. According to scholars the flat platform measured 1041 feet on the north side, 1556 feet on the east side, 929 f...
The main powers in ancient Rome were Carthage, Greece, and Etrura. The Italian Peninsula is located right in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Rome is located right in the heart of Italy on a large plain known as Latium. Source: Latium and Geo...
During the time of Augustus the boundaries of the Roman empire were the Atlantic on the west, the Euphrates on the east, the deserts of Africa, the cataracts of the Nile and the Arabian deserts on the south, the British Channel, the Rhine, the Danube...
In ancient times beards came in various styles and shapes. In ancient Egypt the beard was a symbol of status, in ancient India the beard was a symbol of dignity. In ancient Assyria, Babylon and Persia the beard was cared for with great detail, they o...
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
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