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 Huldah Gates, located on the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, are a significant archaeological and historical feature. These gates served as entrances and exits for worshippers ascending to the Temple during the Second Temple perio...
In ancient Rome the “centurion” meant “captain of 100”, and the Roman centurion was captain over 100 foot soldiers in a legion. The centurion was loyal and courageous, beginning as a soldier in the army and working their way up the ranks. The...
Babylon is Akkadian “babilani” which means “the Gate of God(s)” and it became the capital of the land of Babylonia. The etymology of the name Babel in the Bible means “confused” (Gen 11:9) and throughout the Bible, Babylon was a symbol of...
The ancient sun dial reveals the hours in a day. It has a surface with hour lines and a stick or gnomon which casts a shadow as the sun advances in its daily course. The sun dial is mentioned in the Bible as far back as the time of King Ahaz. Herodot...
Augustus, the first emperor of Rome had in his empire 25 legions of approximately 6,000 soldiers each. A legion was formed of 10 Cohorts (540 men in each Cohort). Each Cohort was subdivided into 6 Centuries (90 men formed a Century), and each legion ...
The weapons of a Roman solder included: the gladius (the short, straight, two-edged sword with which he would thrust rather than slash), and this he carried on a belt either from the shoulder or round the waist. He also carried the javelin “pilum...
The ancient Greeks and Romans left a lasting legacy in the field of medicine, with their innovative theories and treatments that shaped the foundations of Western medicine. Drawing upon a combination of empirical observations, philosophical insights,...
The people of ancient Greece developed unique characteristics because of the topography of their country. The coastline curved inward very peculiarly, causing the bays to become very prominent, and stretching far out into the Mediterranean Sea. This ...
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...
In ancient Rome the “centurion” meant “captain of 100”, and the Roman centurion was captain over 100 foot soldiers in a legion. The centurion was loyal and courageous, beginning as a soldier in the army and working their way up the ranks. The...
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 Dead Sea holds several significant aspects in biblical and historical contexts. Here are some key points: Geological and Natural Features: The Dead Sea is a saltwater lake located at the lowest elevation on Earth. Its high salt concentration make...
In the Bible, a watchtower, also known as a lookout or watchman's tower, was a raised structure used for surveillance and observation. It served as a strategic vantage point from which watchmen could keep watch over the surrounding area, looking out ...
The Bible does not specifically mention the Adriatic Sea as a place of sudden storms. However, the Bible does contain accounts of storms and tempests occurring at sea in various locations, emphasizing the unpredictable and perilous nature of such eve...
In Christianity, Jesus is the One true God who came to earth clothed in human flesh. In Greek and Roman mythology Zeus (Jupiter) was a celestial deity, and one of many gods. Zeus was the chief of the gods of Olympus, and he was the son of Saturn and ...
It is not known whether Tiberius had heard of Jesus, or knew about the crucifixion of Jesus. Word about Jesus and his miracles spread quickly throughout the Roman Empire, even to the Imperial Palace on Palatine Hill, but Tiberius had retired to his p...
The ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, and Greeks. used to eat sitting on mats spread on the floor. The Romans actually reclined on couches around a table. The couches were arranged forming three sides of a square. The open side was for the servants who wou...
In 1846 an English traveler and artist named Austen Henry Layard was digging around the ruins of ancient Nimrud (known as Calah) in northern Iraq. He discovered something amazing, a black limestone obelisk now referred to as “The Black Obelisk of S...
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