· Bible dictionary
Temple
The great central sanctuary of Israel — first built by Solomon in Jerusalem, destroyed, rebuilt, then razed in AD 70. The New Testament calls the church and the believer's body a temple of God.
Solomon's temple was Israel's house of worship and sacrifice; destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC; rebuilt under Zerubbabel; expanded by Herod; and razed by Rome in AD 70.
Jesus called his body a temple ("destroy this temple…") and cleansed the courts of moneychangers.
Paul calls the church God's temple and each believer's body a temple of the Holy Spirit. The future has no temple — God himself is its temple (Revelation 21:22).
Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.