1. Sacrifices, Tabernacle, Temple, and Synagogues

2. Sacrifices In most religions in the ancient world, religion = sacrifice Judaism was different in two ways: – Judaism had only one temple; other religions had numerous temples – Judaism’s sacrificial system was more expensive; unlike in many other religions, priests were entirely supported by the rest of the population; they were not allowed to work in the fields. In addition, the priesthood was hereditary; only male members of the tribe of Levi could be priests.

3. Jewish Sacrifices, as described in Leviticus Five Major: Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, Guilt Three Minor: Thanksgiving, Vow, Freewill (See Notes for details)

4. Tabernacle

6. From Moses through David In Holy of Holies: – Ark of the covenant. Two gilded olivewood cherubim on top. – Within: Ten commandments tablets, pot of manna, Aaron’s rod

8. Tabernacle From Moses through David In Holy of Holies: – Ark of the covenant. Two gilded olivewood cherubim on top. – Within: Ten commandments tablets, pot of manna, Aaron’s rod In Holy Place – Golden lampstand (menorah)

9. Golden Lampstand (menorah)

10. Tabernacle From Moses through David In Holy of Holies: – Ark of the covenant. Two gilded olivewood cherubim on top. – Within: Ten commandments tablets, pot of manna, Aaron’s rod In Holy Place – Golden lampstand (menorah) – Altar of incense

11. Altar of Incense

12. Tabernacle From Moses through David In Holy of Holies: – Ark of the covenant. Two gilded olivewood cherubim on top. – Within: Ten commandments tablets, pot of manna, Aaron’s rod In Holy Place – Golden lampstand (menorah) – Altar of incense – Table of shewbread

13. Table of Shewbread

14. Tabernacle From Moses through David In Holy of Holies: – Ark of the covenant. Two gilded olivewood cherubim on top. – Within: Ten commandments tablets, pot of manna, Aaron’s rod In Holy Place – Golden lampstand (menorah) – Altar of incense – Table of shewbread Outside of Temple building, in Court of Priests – Brazen Sea (a large basin for priests to ceremonially wash themselves and ten smaller basins – Altar of burnt offerings

15. Brazen Sea Altar of Burnt Offerings

16. Temple Solomon’s Temple replaced the tabernacle. Was damaged on two occasions Was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians “Second Temple” rebuilt between 520-516 BC Second Temple expanded during Herod the Great Second Temple destroyed in AD 70 by Romans Currently, two Muslim mosques (Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock) stand where the Temple once was

17. Tabernacle vs. Solomon’s Temple Similarities – Both were the only place where sacrifices could be offered. – Both had a central temple divided into two sections: Holy of Holies (which contained the Ark of the Covenant) and the Holy Place (which contained the lampstand (menorah), altar of incense, and table of shewbread; these sections were divided by a veil – Both had an altar for sacrifices outside, with the entire area surrounded by a wall. – Both were viewed as the “dwelling place” of God on earth (more specifically, the Ark of the Covenant), though his true abode was in heaven

18. Tabernacle vs. Solomon’s Temple Difference – Tabernacle moved from one location to another; Solomon’s Temple was located in a single location (Jerusalem)

19. Solomon’s Portico: where early Christian church met (Acts 5:12)

20. Court of the Gentiles

21. “No foreigner is to enter within the forecourt and the balustrade around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his subsequent death.”

22. Court of the Women

23. Gentiles’ Court The Temple

24. Priests and Synagogues Priests were required to serve at the Temple one week out of every 24. For the remainder of the time, they lived in their home villages, serving as teachers, interpreting the Law for the other Jews.

25. Synagogue Worship Every Sabbath, Jews would attend the local synagogue (Jewish equivalent of a church) to hear the scripture being read and explained, with “a view to the improvement of character and submission to the scrutiny of conscience.” (Philo) A priest or elder would read and comment on a passage, and most people sat silent “except when it is the practice to add something to signify approval of what is read.” (Philo)

26. Synagogue at Capernaum Jesus preached here

27. Synagogue Worship Participation from the congregation was encouraged. In the New Testament, it is clear that when a man wanted to say something in the synagogue, he could. Thus, Jesus and Paul could use the synagogue services to give their messages (Mark 1:14-15; 6:1-5; Acts 13:15) It is probable that the early Jewish Christian churches operated similarly to Jewish synagogues. Thus, when Paul refers to hymns being sung in churches, this likely indicates that hymns were also sung in synagogues. It is also likely that Jews assembled for communal meals at the synagogue.