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Hidden Complex Found Beneath Jerusalem's Western Wall
[Patterns of Evidence] The recent archaeological discovery of a hidden underground chamber reveals the largest ritual bath found to date in Jerusalem. The structure is from the Second Temple era which covers about 600 years, starting in the late sixth century BC during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to AD 70 when the Temple was destroyed. King David designed the First Jewish Temple and his son King Solomon built it (1 Kings 6). Babylonians demolished it some 400 years later when they conquered Jerusalem in 586 BC. Fifty-two years later, under the leadership of Nehemiah, exiles were allowed to return and begin rebuilding following a decree by Cyrus, king of Persia. (Ezra 1:1-4, 2 Chron. 36:22-23). Later Herod the Great, acting as vassal king for Rome from 37-4 BC, began major reconstruction of the Second Temple and areas around his kingdom. One source attesting to this is ancient historian Josephus who writes about Herod expanding the Temple platform on the upper face of the mountain which was originally built by King Solomon (Antiquities 9:95). The massive upgrades to the Temple buildings and surrounding complex started by King Herod were still in progress at the time of Jesus, according to archeologists whose recent research shows that the "Herodian Hall" wasn’t completed until decades after Herod’s death. (More Herodian Second Temple finds). The grand building only served for a short period before it was completely obliterated by Rome as Jesus predicted in Mark. Posted by: Besoeker 2021-08-07 |
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