The _Temple_ at _Jerusalem_ was thrice built. First, by _Solomon_: Secondly, by _Zorobabel_: Thirdly, by _Herod_. The first was built in seven years, _1 King. 6. 37._ The second in forty six years: It was begun in the second year of King _Cyrus_, _Ezra 3. 8._ It was finished in the ninth year of _Darius Hystaspis_.[200] The years rise thus;
_Cyrus reigned_ 30 } _Cambyses_ 08 } Years. _It was finished in the year of Darius Hystaspis_ 09 }
One year deducted from _Cyrus_ his Reign, there remains 46.
_Herod_’s _Temple_ was finished in eight years.[201] It is greatly questioned among _Divines_, of which _Temple_ that speech of the _Jews_ is to be understood, _John 2. 20._ _Forty and six years was this Temple in building_. Many interpret it of the second _Temple_, saying, that _Herod_ did only repair that, not build a new: but these disagree among themselves in the computation; and the Scripture speaketh peremptorily, that the house was finished in the sixth year of the Reign of King _Darius_, _Ezra 6. 15._ and _Josephus_ speaketh of _Herod_’s _building a new Temple, plucking down the old_.[202] It seemeth therefore more probable, that the speech is to be understood of _Herod_’s _Temple_, which, though it were but eight years in building, yet, at that time, when this speech was used, it had stood precisely _forty six years_,[203] for so many years there are precisely between the eighteenth year of _Herod_’s Reign, (at which time the _Temple_ begun to be built) and the year of _Christ his baptisme_, when it is thought that this was spoken; all which time the _Temple_ was more and more adorned, beautified, and perfected, in which respect it may be said to be so long building.
[202] _Vide Hospini. de Orig. Templ. c. 3._
[203] _Vide supputationem Funccianam. an. 3747._
The ancient men are said to weep, when they beheld the second, because the glory thereof was far short of _Solomon_’s, _Ez. 3. 12._ It was inferiour to _Solomon_’s _Temple_: First, in respect of the building, because it was lower and meaner.[204] Secondly, in respect of the Vessels, being now of brass, which before were of pure gold. Thirdly, in respect of five things, lost and wanting in the second _Temple_, all which were in the first. First, there was wanting the _Ark of God_.[205] Secondly, _Urim and Thummim_; _God_ gave no answer by these two, as in former times. Thirdly, _Fire_, which in the second _Temple_ never descended from heaven to consume their burnt offerings, as it did in the first. Fourthly, the _Glory of God_ appearing between the _Cherubims_, this they termed שכינה _Schecina_, the _habitation_, or _dwelling of God_, and hereunto the _Apostle_ alludeth, _In him dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily_, _Coloss. 2. 9._ _Bodily_; that is, not in Clouds and Ceremonies, as between the _Cherubims_, but _essentially_. Lastly, the _Holy Ghost_; namely, enabling them for the gift of _Prophecy_; for between _Malachy_ and _John the Baptist_, there stood up no _Prophet_, but only they were instructed _per filiam vocis_, which they termed בת קול _Bath Kol_, an _Eccho from heaven_; and this was the reason why those Disciples, _Act. 19. 2._ said, _We have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost_.