The Temple: Its Ministry and Services in the Time of Christ

The Temple of Jerusalem is a key element for understanding both the Old and New Testaments. It encompasses not only the past glory of material Israel, but also all the symbolism and future splendor of spiritual Israel, when the Messiah will come and reign over the people of God. Knowing the meaning of what the temple was and represented, both in the life of ancient Israel and in the thought of the early Christians, understanding the symbolisms of its structure, the priestly function, liturgical singing, and feasts, is absolutely essential for a correct reading and interpretation of every biblical text.

Edersheim leads the reader hand-in-hand on a step-by-step tour through the exterior and interior of Herod's temple: the temple where Jesus was presented; the temple over whose pinnacle the devil led him to tempt him; the temple where he went and taught; the temple before which he healed the lame and the blind; the temple he cleansed of merchants; the temple whose destruction he predicted; the temple in relation to which he declared himself greater. He explains, in astonishing detail and in light of Scripture and both rabbinic and historical sources, not only the structure and furniture of the building, but each of the rites and functions carried out within it; thus improving the understanding of the past and future meaning of everything.

First published in 1874, and revised ever since in each of its constant re-editions with the most recent discoveries, Alfred Edersheim's work on "The Temple" is considered the best and most detailed research work carried out and available today on the nature and functions of Jewish worship. In the author's own words in his preface: "My intention with this book is to travel with the reader to Jerusalem of the past, to walk its streets together and show him what they were like when our Lord walked them; to enter together into the Sanctuary where he taught, and explain its details, its ministry and functions." And the truth is that he achieves this purpose and much more: everyone who reads this book – an unusual hybrid between a novel and a reference work – will be fascinated by the hundreds of details it provides, even those who have studied the subject in a seminary will admit that it is full of things they did not know and that will captivate their attention.