{The Temple}[28th December 1990]

[Redbook8:158][19901228:1517]{The Temple}[28th December 1990]

19901228.1517

‘The ground-plan of the Temple* – a porch with two free-standing pillars before it, a sanctuary, and an inner sanctum – followed Syrian and Phoenician sanctuary models. A bronze “sea”** resting on bulls** and placed in the Temple court has a Babylonian analogue. Exteriorly,*** the Jerusalem Temple resembled Canaanite and other Middle Eastern religious structures, but there were differences: eg no god image stood in the inner sanctum, but rather only the ancient ark [of the covenant] and the new large cherubim**** (hybrid creatures with animal bodies, human or animal faces, and wings) whose wings covered it, symbolising the presence of YHWH, who was enthroned upon celestial cherubim.’

– E[ncyclopaedia] B[ritannica] 22:406

*(of Solomon)

**

***[sic, source]

****

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