What are the…
temples mentioned in the Bible?

also known as: House of the Lord

Hebrew: הֵיכָל —transliteration: hekal —meaning: temple, or a palace —occurrences: 80 (in the books of Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra)

  1. The Holy Tabernacle

    This word is first used in reference to the holy tabernacle in Shiloh, which is called “the temple of Yahweh” (1 Samuel 1:9).

  2. The temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem

    This word is generally used in Scripture of the sacred house erected on the summit of Mount Moriah (aka Mount Zion) for the worship of God. It is called…

  3. Solomon’s Temple

    See: What is Solomon’s Temple?

  4. The second temple

    This was a less grand rebuild of the destroyed Solomon’s Temple.

    See: What is the Second Temple?

  5. Herod’s Temple

    This was a lavish new build by Herod the Great.

    See: What is Herod’s Temple?

  6. Christ’s human body

    In the New Testament, the word “temple” is used figuratively of Christ’s human body.

    Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
    …He was speaking of the temple of His body. ——John 2:19, 21 NASB

  7. True Christians

    True believers are called “the temple of God.”

    Do you not know that you are a sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the sanctuary of God, God will destroy him, for the sanctuary of God is holy, and that is what you are. —1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

  8. The Church

    The Church is designated “a holy temple in the Lord.”

    in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple [or sanctuary] in the Lord —Ephesians 2:21 NASB

    “In Old Testament times, God manifested himself in the Temple. Today, he dwells in us. We have a responsibility to represent God’s presence to a dying world.” (from video “On the Prophets & Kings of Israel”)

  9. Heaven

    Heaven is called God’s temple.

    they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple [or sanctuary]; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” —Rev. 7:15-17 NASB

  10. Temple of Artemis (aka Diana)

    And not only is there danger that this trade of ours [making idols] fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be considered as worthless and that she, whom all of Asia and the world worship, is even about to be brought down from her majesty.” —Acts 19:27

    About idolatry and false gods in the Bible

    About idols in the Bible

    What is an idolatrous worshipper?

More information

Article Version: July 11, 2024