The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 103

first requisite for every space and structure Irion" (Romberg and Steger, quoted in Bahr, which has a higher and Divine destination, "Bibelwerk," p. 49). And the difficulty is o.nd they impo.rt thereto the signature of enhanced by the fact that the temple Wl!,8 the Divine" (Bahr). Indeed the very names mi generis. It was purely Jewish, so that templum and r,µ,vo,; (=e. space measured no information e.s to its structure and off) are in themselves in some sort attesta- e.rro.ngements can be derived from the con. tions to the ancient belief that the dignity temporary architecture of Egyptians or of a temple of the Most High God required Assyria.ns. In the absence of all analogies that the length and breadth and height, restoration is hopeless. It is well known both of the whole and of its component that all the many and varied representations parts, should be carefully recorded. It is of different artists, based though they all this consideration explains a peculiarity of were on the Scripture account (Exod. xxv. Scripture which would otherwise cause some 31-37) of the seven-branched candlestick, difficulty; viz., the deta.iled and repeated were found to be exceedingly unlike the measurements, and the eJmost rabbinical original, when the true shape of tha\ minuteness, not only of our author, but of original we.a disclosed to the world on the Ezekiel and of the Apocalypse. When a Arch of Titus. It is equally certain that, " man with a measuring reed " (Ezek. xl. were a true representation of the temple 3, 5; Rev. xi. 1 ; xxi. 15) appears upon the ever to be placed in our hands, we should scene, we are to understand at once that find that it differed just as widely from all the place is sacred ground, and that we are attempted " restorations" of the edifice, in the precincts of the temple and shrine based on the scanty and imperfect notices of Jehovah. of our historian and Ezekiel. At the same time it must be added here The mention of Ezekiel suggests a brief that, exact and detailed as is the descrip- reference to the temple, which he describes tion of this edifice, it is nevertheless so with so much precision and fulness in his partial, and the account is, perhaps neces- fortieth and following chapters. What is sarily, so obscure as to leave us in consider- its bearing on the description we have now able doubt e.s to what Solomon's Temple to consider? Is it an account of the temple was really like. In fact, though "more has as it actually existed in or before his time ; been written regarding the temple at Jeru- is it a plan or suggestion for its restoration se.Iem than in respect to e.ny other building (Grotius), or is it wholly ideal and ima- in the known world" (Fergusson), the ginary? The first view, which long found authorities are not a.greed as to its broad favour with commentators, and which has features, while as to matters of detail they still some advoco.tes, is now pretty generally are hopelessly divided. On one point, in- abandoned. For while mo.ny of Ezekiel's deed, until recently, there we.a a pretty measurements, &o., correspond exe.ctly with general agreement, viz., tho.t the house was those of our historian, and while it may be "rectilinear and of box-form." But it is conceded, therefore, that this delineation now contended that this primary and funda- has o. historical basis, there a.re features in mental conception of its shape is entirely the narrative which co.n never have been at fault, e.nd that its sloping or ridged roof realized in any building, o.nd which prove would give it a resemblance to the ark or to the account to be more or less ideal. For a tent. Nor have we the materials to decide example. The outer court of his temple between these conflicting views; in fact, (Ezek. xlii. 16-20) would cover not only nothing perhaps but drawings would enable the whole of Mount Moriah, but more tho.n us to restore the temple with any approach the whole space occupied by the entire city to accuracy. "It is just as easy to pour- of Jerusalem. He speaks ngain of" waters tmy a living man from a tolerably well- issuing out from under the threshold" preserved skeleton e.s to reproduce a building (oh. xlvii. 1), and flowing down eastward in e. way which she.11 correspond with reality to heal the pestilent waters of the Dead when we have only a few uncertain remains Sea, where a literal interpretation is mo.ni. Df its style of architecture in our posses- •festly impossible. And it is to be remem- I KlNGII. e 98 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ OH, VI, 1~88,