Jerusalem - Temple Mount

This view of the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives is arguably the most photographed site in all of Israel. The Temple Mount is on a plateau in the Old City and is rich with history and religious importance. It is currently governed by the Supreme Muslim Religious Council. 

The 35 acre site is sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. It’s general area was the site of Solomon’s Temple, the holiest place in Judaism. Muslims revere the site as the place from which Muhammad ascended into heaven as described in the Qur’an. Christians celebrate it as a place Jesus frequently visited and the role it will play in end-time events.

David captured the city of Jerusalem circa 1,000 B.C. and some time later chose this high place as the site for the ‘House of the Lord‘. (2nd Samuel 24;18-25) David was not permitted to build the Temple so the construction project was undertaken by Solomon and completed in 957 B.C.

Solomon’s Temple was looted by Nebuchadnezzar
of Babylon between 604-597 B.C. and was totally destroyed in 586 B.C. Jews were deported to Babylonia for a period of 70 years, commonly known as the Babylonian Exile. 

Cyrus II, the Persian king, conquered Babylonia in 538 B.C. and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Completed circa 515 B.C., it was, at best, a modest version of the original. It didn’t have the Ark of the Covenant or other ritual objects, yet it regained a prominent role in the religious life of Judaism. 

The Temple’s prominence was enhanced when Herod the Great began to rebuild it in 20 BC. He doubled the size of the Temple Mount, encompassing it with a retaining wall and gates. 

Although it lacked the Ark and other ritual objects, it now hosted the Scriptures and other sacred writings. It also became the headquarters of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court of law during the Roman period.

A Jewish rebellion in 66 A.D. led to the destruction of the Temple (and nearly the entire city of Jerusalem) by Titus in 70 A.D. This event is etched in the Arch of Titus in Rome, depicting the looting of the Temple by Roman soldiers. 

Part of the retaining wall on the west side of the city escaped destruction. It is known today as the Western Wall and is a favorite site of visitors from around the world. 

Another revolt, led by Simon Bar Kochba in 132 A.D., was crushed by the Roman army in 135 A.D. The Emperor Hadrian sent his most able commanders to quell the rebellion. Among them, Julius Severus, previously the governor of Britain, Publicius Marcellus, and Haterius Nepos, the governors of Syria and Arabia. Hadrian would eventually enter the scene as well. 

Hadrian committed 12 legions, 1/3 of the Roman army, to re-conquer Judea. They refused to engage in open battles, adopting a scorched earth policy which decimated the populace.

When the revolt was defeated, Hadrian forbade Jews to enter the city. He started a building project intending to remove Jerusalem and Jews from from the minds of people by renaming the city Aeila Capitolina and building a Temple to Jupiter Capitolinus on the site of the Temple.

Today, signs at the entrance list strict rules for visiting the site, including modest dress and no religious activity. Devout Jews do not visit the Temple Mount, in case they might break divine law by walking over the Holy of Holies or the area reserved for priests.