History of the Temple Mount

The history of the Temple Mount refers to its evolution as both a site of human activity and a central religious sanctuary over millennia. From ancient times to the present day, the Temple Mount has played a pivotal role in the spiritual and cultural development of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its significance as a sacred space, coupled with its historical and political transformations, has made it one of the most important and contested sites in the world. This history reflects not only religious practices but also the complex interplay of different civilizations, rulers, and beliefs that have shaped

Overview

While the area may not always have been continuously inhabited in the strictest sense of a settlement, it has witnessed various forms of human engagement, such as the use of the site as a threshing floor during the biblical period. Its role as a sacred space, along with its changing functions throughout different historical periods, has made the Temple Mount a focal point of religious, cultural, and political significance. The site has seen the rise and fall of civilizations, with each leaving its mark on the landscape, contributing to its legacy as one of the world's most revered and contested locations.

Brief History

circa 3000 BCE- Present

Pre-Israelite Period (circa 3000–1200 BCE)
The area of the Temple Mount, located in the southeastern part of Jerusalem's Old City, shows evidence of occupation dating back to the Chalcolithic period. Archaeological findings, such as pottery shards and early tools, indicate activity on the hill during the Early Bronze Age. During the Middle Bronze Age, the site likely held religious significance to the Canaanites, who venerated high places. The lack of architecture from this period suggests it was most likely primarily a cultic site rather than a fortified settlement.

Israelite and First Temple Period (circa 1000–586 BCE)
The recorded history, although in religious texts of biblical accounts begins when King David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the capital of the united Israelite kingdom. The earliest specific reference to the Temple Mount in the biblical narrative is as the site of a threshing floor owned by Araunah (also called Ornan) the Jebusite. After a plague struck Israel as a consequence of David's census, the prophet Gad directed David to purchase Araunah's threshing floor to build an altar to Yahweh (2 Samuel 24:18–25; 1 Chronicles 21:18–30). David complied, paying fifty shekels of silver for the site, which was then consecrated as a place of worship. This act is said to have not only stopped the plague but also marked the beginning of the Temple Mount's association with divine intervention and holiness.

Later, this site became the foundation for Solomon's Temple, constructed around 957 BCE. The Temple served as the central place of worship for Yahweh, housing the Ark of the Covenant. Its design, as detailed in biblical accounts, featured the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest could enter once a year. The First Temple's construction was an elaborate undertaking involving Phoenician craftsmen and cedar wood from Lebanon. This period also saw the establishment of the priestly system and sacrificial rites. The Babylonian conquest under King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE resulted in the destruction of the First Temple, marking a significant religious and cultural upheaval for the Jewish people.

Babylonian and Persian Periods (586–332 BCE)
Following the Babylonian exile, the Temple Mount lay in ruins. With the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE, King Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The Second Temple, completed in 516 BCE under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest, was more modest than its predecessor. This era marked the re-establishment of Jewish religious practices, albeit under Persian administrative oversight. The Temple Mount during this time became a focal point for community identity and worship.

Hellenistic Period (332–63 BCE)
The conquest of Jerusalem by Alexander the Great introduced Hellenistic influences to the region. After his death, the city fell under the control of the Ptolemies and later the Seleucids. Under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Temple was again desecrated in 167 BCE, with the introduction of pagan altars and sacrifices. This act provoked the Maccabean revolt, led by Judas Maccabeus, culminating in the rededication of the Temple in 164 BCE. The Hasmonean dynasty that followed undertook significant renovations and expansions, enhancing the Temple Mount's status as a religious and political center.

Herodian Period (37 BCE–70 CE)
Herod the Great initiated an ambitious expansion and beautification project of the Temple Mount around 20 BCE. The project included the construction of massive retaining walls, including the Western Wall, to support an expanded platform. The Second Temple was lavishly rebuilt, featuring white stone and gold ornamentation. Herod's renovations made the Temple Mount one of the largest sacred precincts in the ancient world, attracting Jewish pilgrims from across the Roman Empire. This period also saw increasing tensions between the Jewish populace and Roman authorities. The Great Jewish Revolt of 66–70 CE culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple by Roman forces under Titus, leaving only portions of the retaining walls intact.

Roman and Byzantine Periods (70–638 CE)
Following the destruction of the Second Temple, the Temple Mount was left largely desolate. Emperor Hadrian's establishment of Aelia Capitolina in 135 CE included the construction of pagan temples, possibly on or near the Temple Mount. Most notable of these was the temple to Jupiter which was erected overlapping the site of the former second Jewish temple, the Temple Mount. Though the intention of Hadrian was to present the new city as a gesture of goodwill towards the Jewish people. However, his decision to erect a colossal statue of himself in front of the Temple of Jupiter, along with the presence of a massive statue of Jupiter within the temple, resulted in two "graven images" on the Temple Mount. These depictions were regarded as idolatrous by the Jewish population.

However, under the rule of Emperor Constantine I, there was a notable push to establish Christianity as the dominant religion within Roman society, surpassing the prominence of pagan cults. As a result, one significant outcome was the immediate demolition of Hadrian's Temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount. This action was carried out following the First Council of Nicea in 325 CE, as ordered by Emperor Constantine.

During the Byzantine period, the site was neglected and used as a refuse dump, reflecting Christian theological views that regarded the Temple's destruction as divine retribution.

Early Islamic Period (638–1099 CE)
The Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 638 CE under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab marked a significant shift in the Temple Mount's history. Umar ensured the site's sanctity was respected and initiated its clearing. The Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan commissioned the construction of the Dome of the Rock in 691 CE, a stunning architectural achievement marking the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Isra and Mi'raj. The al-Aqsa Mosque was completed shortly thereafter. The Temple Mount, now known as Haram al-Sharif, became the third holiest site in Islam.

Crusader Period (1099–1187 CE)
The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 CE, converting the Dome of the Rock into a church and the al-Aqsa Mosque into a royal palace and later a chapel for the Knights Templar. The Temple Mount was renamed Templum Domini (Temple of the Lord) and became central to Crusader Jerusalem. Crusader modifications included Christian iconography and structural reinforcements, some of which still remain visible today.

Ayyubid and Mamluk Periods (1187–1517 CE)
Salahuddin Ayyubi's reconquest of Jerusalem in 1187 CE restored the Islamic sanctity of the Temple Mount. Extensive renovations were undertaken to remove Crusader modifications and restore the site's Islamic character. During the Mamluk period, the Temple Mount saw significant architectural additions, including madrasas, minarets, and water facilities, solidifying its role as a religious and educational hub.

Ottoman Period (1517–1917 CE)
Under Ottoman rule, the Temple Mount underwent further restoration and embellishment. Suleiman the Magnificent oversaw the repair of the city walls and enhancements to the Dome of the Rock's mosaic decoration. The waqf system was formalized to manage the site's religious and charitable activities. The Ottomans' emphasis on maintaining the sanctity of the site preserved its architectural and spiritual heritage.

British Mandate Period (1917–1948 CE)
The British Mandate brought new archaeological and preservation efforts to the Temple Mount. However, tensions between Jewish and Muslim communities over access and rights to the site intensified. The 1929 Wailing Wall riots underscored the deeply rooted religious and political sensitivities surrounding the Temple Mount.

Jordanian Period (1948–1967 CE)
Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jordan took control of East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount. The waqf maintained exclusive Islamic administration of the site, and access for Jews was prohibited. During this period, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque underwent significant renovations.

Israeli Period (1967–Present)
Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, during the Six-Day War in 1967. Although Israeli sovereignty was asserted, the Islamic waqf retained day-to-day administration of the site. This arrangement has led to frequent tensions over religious access and political sovereignty. The Temple Mount remains a focal point of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with ongoing debates about excavation, preservation, and worship rights.

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See Also

• Depiction of Temple in the Holyland Model of Jerusalem
• Temple of Solomon
• Second Jewish Temple
• Antonia Fortress
• Mosque of Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Wailing Wall
• Mount of Olives
• Hurva Synagogue
• Timeline of the Temple Mount

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