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The Temple: Its Ministry and Services
This updated edition has been newly typeset in an easy-to-read, modern typeface. Now it is easier and more enjoyable than ever before to read, study, and consult this classic work. Citations from Scripture, rabbinic sources, and the works of Philo and Josephus enhance the reader's understanding of the temple, kits sacrifices, ministry, personnel, and services. These materials complement Edersheim's discussion, clarify difficult passages, and illumine the reader as to the true, spiritual meaning of the temple and its services. This edition brings a wealth of information together in the margins, providing a unique entree into the primary sources of the ancient world. Jerusalem, the temple, priests, and worshippers all come alive through Edersheim's prose as well as through the more than 75 illustrations, charts, photos, and drawings. Enhanced both aesthetically and practically, this edition of The Temple has no rival. Edersheim's deep devotion to the authority of the Scriptures, his ability to make the Scriptures come alive in their ancient context, and his encyclopedic familiarity with ancient Jewish sources all enrich this classic and timeless work.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1874
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About the author
Alfred Edersheim
310 books41 followersEdersheim was a scholar and writer on the traditions of the Jewish faith and Life of Christ He was born March 7th, 1825 in the city of Vienna, Austria. His parents Marcus and Stephanie Beifuss were of the Jewish faith. In Vienna he studied in the gymnasium and University of Austria.
Around 1845 he moved to Pesth, Hungary where he met John Duncan and other Presbyterian ministers, who were chaplains to Scottish workmen building a bridge over the Danube River. Under their influence he became a Christian and came to Scotland with Dr. Duncan. In 1843 he entered New College until 1844. In 1846 he entered the Presbyterian ministry and thereafter preached for a year as a missionary to the Jews and Germans at Jassy in Rumania. He came to Old Aberdeen Church in 1848 and remained for twelve years. Here he translated several German theological books into English and wrote his History of the Jewish Nation from the Fall of Jerusalem to the reign of Constantine the Great."
Reverend Alfred Edersheim was the second minister of Free Church known then as Old Machar Free Church. After twelve years at Free Church, Alfred's health started failing, he resigned and moved to Torquay in the county of Devon, England. In 1861, he gathered a congregation and in 1862 they built St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Torwood Gardens, Torquay. Because of deteriorating health problems he had to resign from St. Andrews and moved to Bournemouth a spa on the south coast. In 1875 he became an Episcopalian and ordained a deacon and priest in the Church of England. For a year he was the (unsalaried) curate of the Abbey Church, Christ Church, Hants, near Bournemouth. In 1876 he became vicar of Loders, Dorsetshire; resigning in 1883, moving to Oxford, where he was select preacher to the University from 1884-86.
Because of his health condition he eventually moved to Menton, France where he passed away March 16th, 1889.
His publications as author, translator, editor, and contributor to dictionaries and serial works are very numerous. Perhaps the best-known are:
The History of the Jewish Nation from AD 70-312 (1857)
The Jubilee Rhythm of St. Bernard, and other Hymns (1866)
The Golden Diary of Heart-Converse with Jesus in the Psalms (1874)
The Temple: its Ministry and Services as they were in the Time of Jesus Christ (1874)
Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the days of Christ (1876)
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (1883; 2 vols)
Prophecy and History in relation to the Messiah, (Warburtonian Lectures, 1880-84)
The History of Israel from the Sacrifice on Carmel to the Death of Jedhu (1885)
Around 1845 he moved to Pesth, Hungary where he met John Duncan and other Presbyterian ministers, who were chaplains to Scottish workmen building a bridge over the Danube River. Under their influence he became a Christian and came to Scotland with Dr. Duncan. In 1843 he entered New College until 1844. In 1846 he entered the Presbyterian ministry and thereafter preached for a year as a missionary to the Jews and Germans at Jassy in Rumania. He came to Old Aberdeen Church in 1848 and remained for twelve years. Here he translated several German theological books into English and wrote his History of the Jewish Nation from the Fall of Jerusalem to the reign of Constantine the Great."
Reverend Alfred Edersheim was the second minister of Free Church known then as Old Machar Free Church. After twelve years at Free Church, Alfred's health started failing, he resigned and moved to Torquay in the county of Devon, England. In 1861, he gathered a congregation and in 1862 they built St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Torwood Gardens, Torquay. Because of deteriorating health problems he had to resign from St. Andrews and moved to Bournemouth a spa on the south coast. In 1875 he became an Episcopalian and ordained a deacon and priest in the Church of England. For a year he was the (unsalaried) curate of the Abbey Church, Christ Church, Hants, near Bournemouth. In 1876 he became vicar of Loders, Dorsetshire; resigning in 1883, moving to Oxford, where he was select preacher to the University from 1884-86.
Because of his health condition he eventually moved to Menton, France where he passed away March 16th, 1889.
His publications as author, translator, editor, and contributor to dictionaries and serial works are very numerous. Perhaps the best-known are:
The History of the Jewish Nation from AD 70-312 (1857)
The Jubilee Rhythm of St. Bernard, and other Hymns (1866)
The Golden Diary of Heart-Converse with Jesus in the Psalms (1874)
The Temple: its Ministry and Services as they were in the Time of Jesus Christ (1874)
Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the days of Christ (1876)
The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (1883; 2 vols)
Prophecy and History in relation to the Messiah, (Warburtonian Lectures, 1880-84)
The History of Israel from the Sacrifice on Carmel to the Death of Jedhu (1885)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 23, 2014
I was pretty excited to start reading this book, and while I found the contents really interesting, I do think that the cover was a bit misleading. I took the liberty of mocking up an alternate cover which I think would better convey the contents:
Rant mode on.
The Temple Its Ministry and Services as They Were in the Time of Jesus Christ starts with a brief introduction where Edersheim mentions that his studies of Temple protocol and practice strengthened his Christian faith and convinced him more than ever that Jesus was the messiah, etc. And that's fine, and if that had been the end of it I wouldn't be writing this now, but obviously it wasn't the end. He repeatedly brings up how such and such practice was just a prefigurement of the messiah's coming after which it became meaningless, or talks about the rabbis' punctiliousness when describing the way they determined ritual practice, or uses phrases like "last real Passover" when talking about the Last Supper or "the real Temple" (emphasis in original) when referring to Jesus or talking about "if Jewish tradition may be trusted," which is perfectly reasonable in terms of historical analysis but becomes pretty loaded in the context of the rest of the book.
I didn't read this to get a load of anti-Semitic supersessionist crap or hear about how the "old" law has passed away or read the screed at the end of every chapter about how Jesus roolz, Moses droolz. Unfortunately, that is what I got. And sure, the book was published in 1874 and what can I expect, really, but that doesn't make it more enjoyable to read.
And something I found pretty funny is how he'll cite other scholars and say something like "Dr. SoAndSo claims that the bull was slaughtered after the prayer was said, but it's obvious from A and B that the bull was slaughtered before the prayer!" Punctiliousness, what what? I guess it's okay in historical research but a terrible crime in religious practice!
I really want to rant here about how some Christian writers and Western culture in general--and Western culture is heavily influenced by Christianity--treat worrying about the specifics of ritual practice and behavior as quaint or bizarre or pedantic when compared to simple honest belief, when the truth is that the former is how the vast majority of humans through the vast majority of history have related to their gods and the latter is historically only confined to an extremely small number of sects...but that was kind of the rant right there, wasn't it? That was definitely another part of the book that bothered me, and it's especially evident toward the end when Edersheim starts talking about specific cleansing rituals like the red heifer.
Admittedly, it's not like it's just Rabbinic Judaism he takes digs at. He makes a couple swipes at Catholics (sorry, “the Romish Church”) too for being focused on ritual over faith--whatever that means--and it seems like every single time he brings up the Karaites, it's to explain how they got things wrong.
It was especially annoying because the book is extremely detailed and filled with information, but his attitude inclines me to look at everything with suspicion. Not just because he uses citations from the Gospels as objective proof of events happening when the Gospels were at least partially political documents (the Romans going to a subject population for permission to kill a dissident, especially a Roman who was later recalled to Rome for his brutal treatment of the populace? Please), but because I looked up some of the neat details and I couldn't find much independent confirmation. There's a note about the offering boxes at the Temple being shaped like trumpets, thus leading to a lot of the imagery later in the Tanakh, but I looked around online and most of the places I found seemed to use this book as a source, or at least similar enough wording to make me doubt its independent veracity.
There's a lot of detail about Passover, which I found particularly interesting considering the time of year I read the book. Like how originally the last part of the meal eaten was the Paschal lamb, but now that the sacrifices can't be performed it's been replaced with the afikomen. Or how the "Bread of Affliction" isn't actually afflicting, because it's not commemorating a sad occasion, since the reason it is unleavened is because the Israelites couldn't wait for it to rise because they were escaping slavery. Though insert debate about the historicity of the Exodus account here.
Sukkot, aka the Feast of Tabernacles, which is certainly a more impressive name in English, is called out as the most important festival of the year because it was a harvest festival in an agricultural society. I had heard this before, but it's nice to see independent confirmation, and it's good to call out for modern readers considering how important the High Holy Days are in the modern ritual calendar.
There's a really fascinating note about the possibility that public worship, as distinct from offering sacrifices, was a post-Exilic institution driven by the need to maintain cultural continuity in the face of a hostile or indifferent surrounding culture, but sadly it's not developed at all. I'd definitely read a book about how the Babylonian captivity changed Judaism, and you know, I think I'll go find one.
I debated between giving this book two or three stars, and eventually settled on 2.5 rounded up to 3. There is a lot of good information about Temple practice and ritual here, but Edersheim's constant attempts to put a messianic spin on everything lend a sour taste to a text that could have been a lot more objective. If that grates on you less than it did on me, I expect you'll enjoy The Temple Its Ministry just fine.
Rant mode on.
The Temple Its Ministry and Services as They Were in the Time of Jesus Christ starts with a brief introduction where Edersheim mentions that his studies of Temple protocol and practice strengthened his Christian faith and convinced him more than ever that Jesus was the messiah, etc. And that's fine, and if that had been the end of it I wouldn't be writing this now, but obviously it wasn't the end. He repeatedly brings up how such and such practice was just a prefigurement of the messiah's coming after which it became meaningless, or talks about the rabbis' punctiliousness when describing the way they determined ritual practice, or uses phrases like "last real Passover" when talking about the Last Supper or "the real Temple" (emphasis in original) when referring to Jesus or talking about "if Jewish tradition may be trusted," which is perfectly reasonable in terms of historical analysis but becomes pretty loaded in the context of the rest of the book.
I didn't read this to get a load of anti-Semitic supersessionist crap or hear about how the "old" law has passed away or read the screed at the end of every chapter about how Jesus roolz, Moses droolz. Unfortunately, that is what I got. And sure, the book was published in 1874 and what can I expect, really, but that doesn't make it more enjoyable to read.
And something I found pretty funny is how he'll cite other scholars and say something like "Dr. SoAndSo claims that the bull was slaughtered after the prayer was said, but it's obvious from A and B that the bull was slaughtered before the prayer!" Punctiliousness, what what? I guess it's okay in historical research but a terrible crime in religious practice!
I really want to rant here about how some Christian writers and Western culture in general--and Western culture is heavily influenced by Christianity--treat worrying about the specifics of ritual practice and behavior as quaint or bizarre or pedantic when compared to simple honest belief, when the truth is that the former is how the vast majority of humans through the vast majority of history have related to their gods and the latter is historically only confined to an extremely small number of sects...but that was kind of the rant right there, wasn't it? That was definitely another part of the book that bothered me, and it's especially evident toward the end when Edersheim starts talking about specific cleansing rituals like the red heifer.
Admittedly, it's not like it's just Rabbinic Judaism he takes digs at. He makes a couple swipes at Catholics (sorry, “the Romish Church”) too for being focused on ritual over faith--whatever that means--and it seems like every single time he brings up the Karaites, it's to explain how they got things wrong.
It was especially annoying because the book is extremely detailed and filled with information, but his attitude inclines me to look at everything with suspicion. Not just because he uses citations from the Gospels as objective proof of events happening when the Gospels were at least partially political documents (the Romans going to a subject population for permission to kill a dissident, especially a Roman who was later recalled to Rome for his brutal treatment of the populace? Please), but because I looked up some of the neat details and I couldn't find much independent confirmation. There's a note about the offering boxes at the Temple being shaped like trumpets, thus leading to a lot of the imagery later in the Tanakh, but I looked around online and most of the places I found seemed to use this book as a source, or at least similar enough wording to make me doubt its independent veracity.
There's a lot of detail about Passover, which I found particularly interesting considering the time of year I read the book. Like how originally the last part of the meal eaten was the Paschal lamb, but now that the sacrifices can't be performed it's been replaced with the afikomen. Or how the "Bread of Affliction" isn't actually afflicting, because it's not commemorating a sad occasion, since the reason it is unleavened is because the Israelites couldn't wait for it to rise because they were escaping slavery. Though insert debate about the historicity of the Exodus account here.
Sukkot, aka the Feast of Tabernacles, which is certainly a more impressive name in English, is called out as the most important festival of the year because it was a harvest festival in an agricultural society. I had heard this before, but it's nice to see independent confirmation, and it's good to call out for modern readers considering how important the High Holy Days are in the modern ritual calendar.
There's a really fascinating note about the possibility that public worship, as distinct from offering sacrifices, was a post-Exilic institution driven by the need to maintain cultural continuity in the face of a hostile or indifferent surrounding culture, but sadly it's not developed at all. I'd definitely read a book about how the Babylonian captivity changed Judaism, and you know, I think I'll go find one.
I debated between giving this book two or three stars, and eventually settled on 2.5 rounded up to 3. There is a lot of good information about Temple practice and ritual here, but Edersheim's constant attempts to put a messianic spin on everything lend a sour taste to a text that could have been a lot more objective. If that grates on you less than it did on me, I expect you'll enjoy The Temple Its Ministry just fine.
June 28, 2021
Edersheim was not a master of clarity. Yet, nonetheless, his books are immensely beneficial. His work in making the Old Testament and Jewish literature come to life, coupled with his Christ-centered, Christ-exalting focus, make up for the cumbersome writing.
This book, similar to Sketches of Jewish Social Life, connects you to the sacrifices and festivals of the Old Testament. His goal for the book is "to take the reader back nineteen centuries; to show him Jerusalem as it was, when our Lord passed through its streets, and the Sanctuary, when He taught in its porches and courts; to portray, not only the appearance and structure of the Temple, but to describe its ordinances and worshippers, the ministry of its priesthood, and the ritual of its services." This he accomplished quite well. It's easy to read through Leviticus and Numbers and miss the gritty reality of the sacrificial system, or to miss the structure and cadence of Israel's festive seasons. Edersheim helps with this; he helps you gain a better appreciation for these details and how they are magnified by Christ and the New Covenant.
One short example may suffice to show how Edersheim illuminates life in the Old Covenant. In speaking of the pilgrimages made to Jerusalem: "The journey was always to be made slowly, for the pilgrimage was to be a joy and a privilege, not a toil or weariness. In the morning, as the golden sunlight tipped the mountains of Moab, the stationary man of the district, who was the leader, summoned the ranks of the procession in the words of Jeremiah 31:6: 'Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, and unto Jehovah our God.' To which the people replied, as they formed and moved onwards, in the appropriate language of Ps. 122: 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah.' First went one who played the pipe; then followed a sacrificial bullock, destined for a peace offering, his horns gilt and garlanded with olive branches; next came the multitude, some carrying the baskets with the firstfruits, others singing the Psalms, which many writers suppose to have been specially destined for that service, and hence to have been called 'the Songs of Ascent;' . . . And so they passed through the length and breadth of the land, everywhere wakening the echoes of praise."
This book, similar to Sketches of Jewish Social Life, connects you to the sacrifices and festivals of the Old Testament. His goal for the book is "to take the reader back nineteen centuries; to show him Jerusalem as it was, when our Lord passed through its streets, and the Sanctuary, when He taught in its porches and courts; to portray, not only the appearance and structure of the Temple, but to describe its ordinances and worshippers, the ministry of its priesthood, and the ritual of its services." This he accomplished quite well. It's easy to read through Leviticus and Numbers and miss the gritty reality of the sacrificial system, or to miss the structure and cadence of Israel's festive seasons. Edersheim helps with this; he helps you gain a better appreciation for these details and how they are magnified by Christ and the New Covenant.
One short example may suffice to show how Edersheim illuminates life in the Old Covenant. In speaking of the pilgrimages made to Jerusalem: "The journey was always to be made slowly, for the pilgrimage was to be a joy and a privilege, not a toil or weariness. In the morning, as the golden sunlight tipped the mountains of Moab, the stationary man of the district, who was the leader, summoned the ranks of the procession in the words of Jeremiah 31:6: 'Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion, and unto Jehovah our God.' To which the people replied, as they formed and moved onwards, in the appropriate language of Ps. 122: 'I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah.' First went one who played the pipe; then followed a sacrificial bullock, destined for a peace offering, his horns gilt and garlanded with olive branches; next came the multitude, some carrying the baskets with the firstfruits, others singing the Psalms, which many writers suppose to have been specially destined for that service, and hence to have been called 'the Songs of Ascent;' . . . And so they passed through the length and breadth of the land, everywhere wakening the echoes of praise."
June 20, 2019
Enlightening. Helpful in understanding the Temple system especially in how it related to the ministry and sacrifice of our Lord.
Read
August 21, 2023Excellent details of Jewish temple worship for accurate biblical fiction
June 29, 2019
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the many, many ways in which the Old Covenant and Law points forward to the coming of the Messiah; and those who want to learn about Jewish culture at the time of Jesus in great detail.
Edersheim is a convert to Christianity from Judaism, and draws from a wide range of sources including the Mishnah, Talmud and historians such as Josephus and Eusebius, in addition to the Bible. The first half of the book describes the daily goings-on in the Temple, and the second explains the many Jewish festivals, particularly in relation to the Temple.
Edersheim comments: “Every unprejudiced reader of the Bible must feel that sacrifices constitute the centre of the Old Testament.” This view is certainly reinforced throughout his book, by the many different kinds of sacrifices he mentions in almost every chapter; and he clearly explains the exact method of their presentation, as well as how they were intended to point to Jesus in varying ways.
For myself, when I started reading The Temple, I found it quite hard going, probably because it was written in 1874. Some things seem to be repeated unnecessarily, and the descriptions are often lengthy. As an example, Edersheim writes: “After what has already been explained, it is not necessary to enter into details about the purification of the leper, for which this, indeed, is not the place” - and then spends three pages on the subject!
However, I’ve been enjoying it more towards the end, in particular the different festivals and their symbolical nature; and I can say that I’ve learned lots, even if I did read some parts without taking anything in, when I made the mistake of picking up the book when I was very tired... so if this topic interests you, it’s definitely worth a read.
Edersheim is a convert to Christianity from Judaism, and draws from a wide range of sources including the Mishnah, Talmud and historians such as Josephus and Eusebius, in addition to the Bible. The first half of the book describes the daily goings-on in the Temple, and the second explains the many Jewish festivals, particularly in relation to the Temple.
Edersheim comments: “Every unprejudiced reader of the Bible must feel that sacrifices constitute the centre of the Old Testament.” This view is certainly reinforced throughout his book, by the many different kinds of sacrifices he mentions in almost every chapter; and he clearly explains the exact method of their presentation, as well as how they were intended to point to Jesus in varying ways.
For myself, when I started reading The Temple, I found it quite hard going, probably because it was written in 1874. Some things seem to be repeated unnecessarily, and the descriptions are often lengthy. As an example, Edersheim writes: “After what has already been explained, it is not necessary to enter into details about the purification of the leper, for which this, indeed, is not the place” - and then spends three pages on the subject!
However, I’ve been enjoying it more towards the end, in particular the different festivals and their symbolical nature; and I can say that I’ve learned lots, even if I did read some parts without taking anything in, when I made the mistake of picking up the book when I was very tired... so if this topic interests you, it’s definitely worth a read.
November 17, 2011
Loved this book. I loved the historical background and even if there were paragraphs I had to plow through like the breakdown of the measurement of an omer it was worth it especially to get to the chapter about the firstfruits. Beautiful, educational, and edifying.
November 22, 2021
As a reader, if I have a man crush, it is probably on Alfred Edersheim. Or Martyn Lloyd-Jones, but I digress. Edersheim is pure D awesome. His encyclopedic Jewish knowledge/experience combined with his warm pastoral perspective bring things out in the Word of God that are priceless, absolutely priceless. His 1500 pages on the life of Christ, which I read four times, changed my life. They are the most important thing I have ever read outside of the Word of God. While this book cannot be expected to be on the same level, nor is it, it is still a grand work. In it, Edersheim walks us through the Temple of Jesus' day, showing us the organization, chronological flow, and furniture. More importantly, he clearly explains each rite, sacrifice, and feast, tying them all to Jesus Christ. In the process, he only rarely reaches; almost always, his interpretation, aided by his unique perspective, is logical and scriptural. As always, his work is massively supported by rabbinic quotation and Talmudic reference.
If you want to know Jesus, all you need is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. But if you want to know Him as He was in His own day, and thus see Him in high definition, Edersheim is the lens you need. Whoever else you read in your pursuit of seeing Christ, read Edersheim. Your reward will be massive.
If you want to know Jesus, all you need is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. But if you want to know Him as He was in His own day, and thus see Him in high definition, Edersheim is the lens you need. Whoever else you read in your pursuit of seeing Christ, read Edersheim. Your reward will be massive.
November 15, 2020
A superb historical read to align more of the ancient Jewish temple practices to the symbols that the represented. Edersheim dives into deep analysis of the many feasts and offerings that were made at the Temple in Jerusalem. He does his best to separate those that were scriptural versus those that were created as tradition later.
I enjoyed it for an initial read but see it more as reference material in the future as I study the Bible. It will come in handy to make the connections to much of the temple references made by Paul and the gospel writers.
I enjoyed it for an initial read but see it more as reference material in the future as I study the Bible. It will come in handy to make the connections to much of the temple references made by Paul and the gospel writers.
March 2, 2021
Rich but not easy. It's a bit like reading an encyclopedia. So the prose isn't enthralling but that's not the intent of the book. I think Edersheim's intent was to preserve precious historical tradition (of which much has already been lost) and by doing so, to attempt to bridge the cultural chasm between our modern day and Ancient Israel. And it's vitally important information—having some picture of the rites and rituals of the time brings a new depth of understanding to the life, words, and works of Jesus Christ.
December 24, 2022
Es un muy buen viaje por los rituales y eventos en derredor del templo. El autor utiliza un estilo de drama para contar lo que realizaban los sacerdotes día da día, fiesta a fiesta, y el significado profundo de cada sacrificio a la luz del Cristo revelado en Jesús. Esto será muy interesante para los que les fascine la historia y estén interesados en ver más allá de los sacrificios, en el espíritu de los mimos y de la finalidad metafórica y real del ministerio sacerdotal.
January 27, 2023
This is a very informative book, teaching about the services of the ancient Israelite temple, and how they relate to life and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This book was written in the 19th century, but its teachings are timeless. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the things I learned from the book are particularly meaningful in the context of our current temple services.
This book was written in the 19th century, but its teachings are timeless. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the things I learned from the book are particularly meaningful in the context of our current temple services.
December 27, 2023
No he podido terminar el libro, así que lo dejaré en pausa y espero retomarlo en un futuro.
Personalmente creo que es un libro que contiene datos interesantes sobre lo que se hacía en el templo, pero no ha logrado captar toda mi atención y no puedo seguir así, leyendo sin disfrutar el libro.
Espero que mi interés por el libro vuelva en un futuro.
Personalmente creo que es un libro que contiene datos interesantes sobre lo que se hacía en el templo, pero no ha logrado captar toda mi atención y no puedo seguir así, leyendo sin disfrutar el libro.
Espero que mi interés por el libro vuelva en un futuro.
May 7, 2019
It is worth your time
The Author paints a good picture of how the temple operated during the time of Christ. He supplies greater detail and insight concerning familiar Biblical passages. Take your time when you read this book.
The Author paints a good picture of how the temple operated during the time of Christ. He supplies greater detail and insight concerning familiar Biblical passages. Take your time when you read this book.
March 28, 2021
A fascinating discussion of the ministry and services of the Second Temple, down to the daily observances. Edifying exploration of the typical elements of the ceremonial law and their fulfillment in Christ. This warrants a second read.
Read
July 27, 2021Very informative book about Temple worship at the time of Christ. This book greatly expanded my comprehension of Scripture both in picturing the narrative, but also better understanding Christ's self-description.
December 9, 2024
This was really interesting and helpful, albeit dry like a text book. I loved his Sketches of Jewish Social Life, this one was harder for me to plow through and more academic. I feel like I have a much better grasp on the feasts and Jewish temple rituals and understand those a lot better.
December 15, 2020
Thorough and definitely worth the time.
September 9, 2021
I felt like I was reading a National Geographic special about the Temple in ancient Jerusalem and in days of Jesus.
May 22, 2025
Extensive detail.
March 18, 2017
Good
I like to know about temple and it's description in common understandable words. This book is the right one. Thanks
I like to know about temple and it's description in common understandable words. This book is the right one. Thanks
June 18, 2019
An unwieldy but highly informative reprint of an 1874 text on the Jerusalem temple.
The author is a Jewish convert to Christianity, and he has gone through and distilled every scrap of literature on the temple to come up with a complete picture of how it operated. Much of the book is a discussion of the Jewish festivals, with an emphasis on the specific acts performed at the temple itself during them. Edersheim, an enthusiastic Christian, often notes how temple lore appears in the New Testament, illuminating many of its episodes. This is especially the case in the Book of Revelation, which, in Edersheim's opinion, must have been written by one thoroughly familiar with the details of the temple cult.
Here and there the author ventures an opinion on this or that controversy regarding Jesus and the temple, in particular one about whether the Lord's Supper was identical with the Paschal feast. He is emphatic that they were indeed identical.
The book itself is a large, floppy paperback with acre-sized pages covered with long lines of text. There are quite a few typos and no illustrations. But if you want to find out exactly how Herod's temple was configured, how it was staffed, how it operated, and how all the various biblical directives for sacrifice were actually carried out, then this book is for you.
The author is a Jewish convert to Christianity, and he has gone through and distilled every scrap of literature on the temple to come up with a complete picture of how it operated. Much of the book is a discussion of the Jewish festivals, with an emphasis on the specific acts performed at the temple itself during them. Edersheim, an enthusiastic Christian, often notes how temple lore appears in the New Testament, illuminating many of its episodes. This is especially the case in the Book of Revelation, which, in Edersheim's opinion, must have been written by one thoroughly familiar with the details of the temple cult.
Here and there the author ventures an opinion on this or that controversy regarding Jesus and the temple, in particular one about whether the Lord's Supper was identical with the Paschal feast. He is emphatic that they were indeed identical.
The book itself is a large, floppy paperback with acre-sized pages covered with long lines of text. There are quite a few typos and no illustrations. But if you want to find out exactly how Herod's temple was configured, how it was staffed, how it operated, and how all the various biblical directives for sacrifice were actually carried out, then this book is for you.
October 20, 2015
A nineteenth-century work describing and detailing what was then known of the Temple in the Second Temple period, its sacrifices, its festivals, and its ministers.
Edersheim draws principally from Scripture, Josephus, and rabbinical works. He is thorough, describing the whole range of functions of the Temple, its services, the various sacrifices and festival days, etc.
He makes reference to Jesus whenever he can and he writes in good bombastic 19th century style that may seem a bit grating to a modern reader. The work is interesting in its own right and establishes what one can know based on the evidence at the author's disposal; nevertheless, any modern student should also find resources which take archaeological and cross-cultural information into account.
Edersheim draws principally from Scripture, Josephus, and rabbinical works. He is thorough, describing the whole range of functions of the Temple, its services, the various sacrifices and festival days, etc.
He makes reference to Jesus whenever he can and he writes in good bombastic 19th century style that may seem a bit grating to a modern reader. The work is interesting in its own right and establishes what one can know based on the evidence at the author's disposal; nevertheless, any modern student should also find resources which take archaeological and cross-cultural information into account.
August 17, 2010
Darl Locke's gift to me prepping for a class in Types and Shadows. An exhaustive look at the Temple of Israel from Solomon to Titus and its attendant sacrifices and ordinances. Should be a help in appreciating God's expectation for our holiness today.
March 7, 2011
Wonderful book on the ins and outs of the temple. Edersheim has amazing insights into the more minor details of the temple and how they correspond to the New Testament. Not your typical book on the temple. Edersheim helps you step back into time and see the temple as if you were really there.
December 13, 2014
Dr. Edersheim's treatise on the temple and the sacrificial rites and practices of ancient and New Testament Israel and temple worship is a very interesting work with some thoughtful insights. I will be keeping this as a reference.
January 5, 2015
Excellent book. The contents of this book shed great light on the Old Testament Law, the book of Leviticus, the importance of priest and also the life and actions of Christ. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to understand and apply the Bible message.
October 14, 2016
Recomendado
Me gustó la presentación de hechos de forma objetiva y el uso reiterado de fuentes extrabíbiblicas confiables. Recomiendo su lectura a quienes vean los evangelios, por consiguiente, la vida de Jesus, como un hecho histórico.
Me gustó la presentación de hechos de forma objetiva y el uso reiterado de fuentes extrabíbiblicas confiables. Recomiendo su lectura a quienes vean los evangelios, por consiguiente, la vida de Jesus, como un hecho histórico.
October 18, 2010
Gives a real understanding of the tabernacle and temple within the context of the Gospel.
January 24, 2012
Although it shed so much light into the ceremonies and rites associated with temple at the time of Christ, it was a slow read for me. I learned a great deal!
January 10, 2014
I have learned a lot reading this book and I do recommend it for all people to learn more about the Bible and the Jewish customs. This book will help you in the understanding of scripture.
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