Temple, The (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Alfred Edersheim began his Preface to the first edition of this book, published in 1874, by boldly setting out his aim: It has been my..." (more)
Key Phrases: first ripe sheaf, ordinary morning sacrifice, incensing priest, Holy Place, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

(Introduction by John J. Bimson) The classic work on the ministry of the first-century temple--now reset and expanded with full-color photographs, maps, and charts.

About the Author

Alfred Edersheim (1825-1889) was born of Jewish parents in Vienna, Austria. After studying at the universities of Vienna, Edinburgh, and Berlin, he entered the Presbyterian ministry and served as a missionary to the Jewish people in Jassy, Romania. His other works include the classic study of the New Testament, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Classics; 1 edition (June 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825425093
• ISBN-13: 978-0825425097
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #235,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original textual notes have been carefully revised ., September 5, 1998

By A Customer

This volume in its first publication in 1874 was an invaluable compendium of information that bridged the gap between the ancient world of the first century and the modern era. The 75 full-color photos and illustrations plus the carefully revised and updated textual notes have only added to this value!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book, excellent resource--not for everyone, January 18, 2006

By	Joshua Harp (Frankfort, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Temple: Its Ministry and Services as They Were at the Time of Jesus Christ (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful book--it is well written, organized well in a format that allows for relatively quick reference, and just plain has a lot of information in it.

Edersheim was a Messianic Jew who lived during the 1800's. He was a phenomenal scholar, which he proves again in this book. This book is riddled with citations to the Talmud, Josephus, and many other early sources. By Edersheim's own admission, he omits as many footnotes as he can--and there are still more footnotes than most books written today!

That said, I suspect it is not the book for everyone. First of all, it is written from a Christian perspective. Edersheim shows, very effectively, how Christ fulfilled all that the Temple portrayed. To do this, there are some discussions that many people will find simply boring (I found most of them fascinating). Also, it is worth noting that this book was first published in 1874--and the Edersheim's writing style is thus outdated by over a century. If that doesn't bother you, then great--pick up the book. Or, if you don't plan on actually reading the book cover to cover, but would like a good reference, this would be a good book as well. If, on the other hand, you don't enjoy reading 19th-century language, this book may be sufficiently painful enough for you that you should pass it up.

However--and a big however--if you're not sure whether you would like this book, get it anyway. It's a great book.

Edersheim takes the reader throughout the first-century Temple, illuminating many things that are not commonly known. The book has some very detailed information in it, details not known to most people. These details bring to light many of the themes of the New Testament, and helps the reader understand exactly what was meant in a given passage.

For a better understanding of the Temple in the times of Christ, this book is superb--but like I said, probably not for the faint of heart.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step Inside the Temple of Jerusalem, October 10, 2005

By	Mark Lee (Woodruff, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book a couple of years ago and reference it from time to time after having read it completely. This version, which updates Edersheim's magnificent 19th century edition, contains color photos of some of the best researched models of the Herodian Temple at Jerusalem and is your one-stop-shopping source for information on structure, priesthood function, liturgical song and rites. Eyewitnesses to the Temple, such as Philo and Josephus are consulted and cited. Rabbinic material is investigated and used to support the text.

The Temple is depicted in painstakingly detailed models and maps based on the best archaeological evidence and eyewitness reports. Edersheim and his successors then take you through the priesthood functions as well as the rules specific to behavior in/around the Temple, and funding sources such as the various taxes and offerings. Next the sacrifices are covered. I found the most striking chapter for me to be "At Night in the Temple," where Edersheim takes you on rounds with the priests and temple guard. Everything is here, the feasts, the Passover, the Day of Atonement.

If you're a Jew, this text will help you in your studies of pre-diaspora Jewish Temple worship. If you're a Christian, it sheds more context on the New Testament by filling in blanks that would have made sense to 1st century Jewish Christians. One can sense just how devastating the loss of the Temple in 70AD must have been for the religious Jews of Jerusalem.