From The East May 2025

Happy May Brethren.

As you all know, The Temple of Jerusalem, similarly referred to as the Holy Temple, frequently surfaces in Masonic literature. However, there are many of us in the fraternity who do not know the complete history of the temple; in actuality, the two temples. The first temple was King Solomon’s Temple and the second was the so-called Temple of Zerubbabel, which was later known as Herod’s Temple. In this edition of the Trestleboard, I will give a brief overview of the first temple using both biblical and historical references.

Solomon’s Temple is believed to have been constructed on Mount Moriah, aka the Temple Mount, in the 10th century BCE. The exact location is still debated and since archeological excavations are forbidden on the Temple Mount it remains undetermined to this day as to the exact location on the site.

The foundation of the Temple was laid in Ziv, the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign (c.970-931 BCE) and construction was completed in Bul, the eighth month of Solomon’s eleventh year. Therefore, construction took approximately seven years. Sources state King Solomon employed craftsmen from around the region to aid in its building. For example, Hiram of Tyre agreed to Solomon’s request to supply cedar and cypress trees for the construction. Hiram tells him he will send them by sea to Joppa in exchange for wheat (corn), wine and oil. In addition, Solomon hired a skilled craftsman also named Hiram, or Huram-abi, to oversee the fabrication of the Temple. And, we learn he employed stonemasons from Gabel (Byblos) to aid in its erection.

The architecture of the King Solomon’s Temple is classified as a tripartite building, consisting of three units; the ulam (porch), the heikal (sanctuary or middle chamber), and the debir (the Holy of Holies). It is further classed as a straight-axis temple. That is, one can draw a straight line from the entrance to the inner sanctum. The porch featured two pillars, Boaz & Jachin, which were made of cast bronze. It is not clear whether they supported a roof or not but it is the most likely scenario when compared to other contemporary temples. The porch led to the sanctuary which measured 40 cubits long, 20 cubits wide and 30 cubits in height. Olivewood doorposts supported doors of fir at the entrance. At the far end stood two cherubs guarding the olivewood doors to the Holy of Holies. The walls were lined with cedar wood. Both sets of doors and the walls were carved with cherubim, palm trees and flowers overlaid with gold. The floor was made of fir overlaid with gold. This chamber contained several sacred ritual objects including a golden offering altar, the seven-branched candlestick, or menorah, and a table to hold the showbread offering. As one passes between the cherubs and through the olivewood doors, you enter the Sanctum Sanctorum or Holy of Holies. It measured 20 cubits in length, breadth and height. The most likely explanation for the difference in elevation between the sanctuary and Holy of Holies is that the floor was raised like other inner sancta of ancient temples.

The room was floored and walled in cedar wood from Lebanon which was overlaid with 600 talents, appr. 20 tons, of gold. Within the chamber, stood two cherubim of olivewood 10 cubits in height and with out-stretched wings measuring 10 cubits, each gilded in gold. There existed within the room a two-leaved door between it and the Holy Place. In addition, three veils of fine linen, one each of light blue, purple and crimson, enshrouded the innermost recesses of the chamber. Following the dedication of the Temple by King Solomon, The Ark of the Covenant containing the original Ten Commandments given to Moses by God was housed in the Holy of Holies behind the veil. Surrounding the Temple, chambers were built on the south, north and west sides for storage.

Likewise, two courts surrounded the building. The Inner Court, or Priests Court, was separated from the space beyond by a wall of three courses of hewn stone, surmounted by cedar beams. The Priest’s Court contained the Brazen Sea laver, a 5 cubit high and 10 cubit diameter basin used for ritual cleansing by the priests; the Brazen Altar for burnt offerings measuring 20 x 20 by10 cubits in height; and, 10 additional lavers of forty baths each, 5 on the north and 5 on the south, used for additional ablution. Surrounding the entire temple was the Great Court. It was here that the people worshiped. During its history, The First Temple was plundered several times and eventually destroyed. First, in the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign (926 BCE), Shoshenq I, Pharaoh of Egypt, took items from the Temple and palace. Then, a century later, Jehoash, King of Israel (following Solomon’s death Israel was divided into Israel and Judah) sacked the Temple. Later, Ahaz of Judah, bribed Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser IV with gold and silver from the Temple to gain his help against Pekah of Israel and Revin of Damascus. Similarly, Hezakiah, son of Ahaz, cut gold from the doors and doorstops to pay off Sennacherib, king of Assyria. And finally, during the brief reign of Jehoiachin (c. 598 BCE), King Nebuchadnezzar II sacked the Temple. Finally, a decade later, Nebuchadnezzar II returned and besieged Jerusalem. The city fell in July of 586/5 BCE. Later that month, under orders from Nebuchadnezzar II, General Nebuzaradan razed the city including the Temple and palace. Jewish tradition holds that the Temple was destroyed on Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of Av (Hebrew calendar). The Jewish historian Josephus says; “the temple was burnt four hundred and seventy years, six months, and ten days after it was built”. In conclusion my Brethren, I hope this short history and description of King Solomon’s Temple will aid you in your Masonic endeavors. I believe knowledge is the key to building a solid foundation upon which to begin one’s Masonic Journey.

Jeffrey Reinsch
Worshipful Master