The Temple Mount Site of Solomon's First Temple

The Al-Haram-al-Sharif the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque

Nov 29, 2008

The Temple Mount or Al-Haram al-Sharif, perched, high above the narrow streets of East Jerusalem is the holiest and most disputed religious site in the Israeli capital.

In Jerusalem, a city of three great monotheistic faiths, the Temple Mount is believed to be the spot where Abraham offered his son Isaac for sacrifice, the area where Mohammed ascended to heaven and resting place, within Solomon’s First Temple, of the Ark of the Covenant.

Temple Mount

Today’s Temple Mount, in the form of a trapezoid, rises to over 140 feet above the Kidron Valley, which runs along the eastern wall of the city. However over the centuries it has changed shape and become larger in size than that described in ancient writing.

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus who lived in Jerusalem about 40 years after Jesus died described the Temple Mount. “ This hill was walled all around, and in compass four furlongs, the distance of each angle containing in length a furlong.” This is approximately 600 feet square.

The Mishnah, a collection of early Jewish writings from the end of the second century, has the size at 500 cubits (750 feet) square.

Western Wall

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is a special and holy site for the Jews, and thought to be the surviving part of the western wall of Herod’s Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

Debate among archaeologists and historians continues about the exact location of both Solomon's First Temple and Herod’s Second Temple. Some place them directly under the Dome of the Rock, which together with the Al-Aqsa Mosque are two of the area’s visible signs of a long association with Islam.

The Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock, also known as the Mosque of Omar, is one of the most recognisable and iconic buildings in the world and was built by Muslim ruler Abd el-Malik between 688-691.

Its golden dome, clearly visible from many parts of Jerusalem, prompted a 10th century visitor to the city to wax lyrical. “ At dawn when the light of the sun first strikes the dome and the drum catches the rays, then is this edifice a marvellous sight to behold…”

The lower part of the mosque’s exterior is a dazzling white marble and the Turkish tiles which decorate other parts of the building are copies of the original Persian tiles. The gold leaf, which covers the aluminium dome, was a gift from the late King Hussein of Jordan.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

The original Al-Aqsa Mosque was built by the Umayyads, an early Islamic dynasty, in 710 CE on the south side of the Temple Mount.

First Crusade

Nearly four centuries later in the final year of the First Crusade (1099) when the Christian armies finally entered Jerusalem they looted the Dome of the Rock and set up their headquarters in the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Their legacy remains today in the shape of the three central arches in the main façade. Two further arches were added by the Marmalukes during the 14th century.

Inside some of the very early building still survives, including the mihrab (a small niche in a wall to indicate the direction of Mecca) decorated around 1187 during the rule of Saladin.

Contemporary (20th century) items include marble columns donated by Benito Mussolini and a decorated ceiling financed by King Farouk of Egypt.

It is important that archaeological excavations on Temple Mount carry on. Sadly however local conditions and old disputes make it difficult for continued and balanced research which demonstrates respect for the history of all faiths.

The copyright of the article The Temple Mount Site of Solomon's First Temple in Middle Eastern History is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish The Temple Mount Site of Solomon's First Temple in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.