![]() If you'd like to help make it possible for us to continue Bible History Daily,, and our email newsletter please donate. This costs substantial money and resources, but we don't charge a cent to you to cover any of those expenses. Our website, blog and email newsletter are a crucial part of Biblical Archaeology Society's nonprofit educational mission This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on June 15, 2015. Hershel Shanks, “Newly Discovered: A Fortified City from King David’s Time,” Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2009. Yosef Garfinkel, Michael Hasel and Martin Klingbeil, “An Ending and a Beginning,” Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 2013. John Monson, “The New ‘Ain Dara Temple: Closest Solomonic Parallel,” Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 2000. Volkmar Fritz, “Temple Architecture: What Can Archaeology Tell Us About Solomon’s Temple?” Biblical Archaeology Review, July/August 1987. ![]() Victor Hurowitz, “Inside Solomon’s Temple,” Bible Review, April 1994. Victor Hurowitz, “Solomon’s Temple in Context,” Biblical Archaeology Review, March/April 2011. Read more about Solomon’s Temple and Khirbet Qeiyafa in the BAS Library: Not a BAS Library or All-Access Member yet? Join today.Įxplore this Temple model from Khirbet Qeiyafa further in Solomon’s Temple and Palace by Yosef Garfinkel and Madeleine Mumcuoglu, available for purchase in the BAS Store > BAS Library Members: Read the full article “The Puzzling Doorways of Solomon’s Temple” by Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Yosef Garfinkel in the July/August 2015 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. It is as if the devir had the highest number of mezuzot because it was the most sacred part of the Temple.įor a full description of the doorways of Solomon’s Temple-and parallels throughout the ancient Near East-read the article “The Puzzling Doorways of Solomon’s Temple” by Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Yosef Garfinkel in the July/August 2015 issue of BAR. There is a gradual increase in the number of recessed doorframes from the entrance to the forecourt (three) to the outer sanctum (four) and finally to the entrance from the outer sanctum to the devir (five). In the case of Solomon’s Temple, the more recessed the doorframes, the holier the space: Temples with recessed doorways have been uncovered throughout the ancient Near East, and Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Yosef Garfinkel further note that recessed doorframes set apart inner rooms and spaces as being sacred. According to their interpretation, then, the doors to the inner shrine ( devir) of Solomon’s Temple did not have five doorposts-but rather five recessed doorframes. They suggest that these interlocking frames are what is meant by mezuzot in the description of Solomon’s Temple. Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Yosef Garfinkel present a building model from Khirbet Qeiyafa that depicts a doorframe with three-or maybe four-interlocking doorframes surrounding an opening. It is noteworthy as being a fortified site in Judah from the time of King David. Located 20 miles from Jerusalem, Khirbet Qeiyafa was occupied in the 11th–10th centuries B.C.E. Laron/Courtesy of the Khirbet Qeiyafa Expedition. This model may unlock the meaning of a mezuzah in the Bible regarding the description of Solomon’s Temple. With three-or maybe four-interlocking frames, the recessed doorframe sets apart the inner room as sacred space. This building model from Khirbet Qeiyafa depicts an elaborate doorframe surrounding an opening. They contend that a recent discovery from Khirbet Qeiyafa may hold the answer to unlocking the meaning of a mezuzah in the Bible regarding Solomon’s Temple. Madeleine Mumcuoglu and Yosef Garfinkel explore this enigma in “The Puzzling Doorways of Solomon’s Temple” in the July/August 2015 issue of BAR. What is a mezuzah? In the Bible, mezuzah is normally translated as “doorpost.” However, in the context of Solomon’s Temple, doors with five doorposts do not make sense. For example, 1 Kings 6:31 describes the doors between the outer sanctum and the inner shrine of Solomon’s Temple as having five mezuzot (the plural form of mezuzah). It took seven years to complete the temple and its furnishings.ĭespite the Biblical description and archaeological parallels, there are still some mysteries about Solomon’s Temple. Its interior walls and floors were lined with wooden boards and covered in gold. ![]() Built of stone and roofed with wooden beams, Solomon’s Temple was intricately ornamented. Described in 1 Kings 6–7, the temple was divided into three parts: the forecourt ( ulam), the outer sanctum ( heikhal) and the inner shrine ( devir), also known as the Holy of Holies. A reconstruction of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.
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