"WHAT MANNER OF BUILDINGS AND STONES" 1ST CENTURY TEMPLE 70AD

[LittleLambofJesus]

I decided to do a study on the "buildings" mentioned in Matt and *Mark.
"buldings" used only 3 times in the Gospels

3619. oikodome oy-kod-om-ay' feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430;
architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:--building, edify(-ication, -ing).
Strong's Number G3619 occurs 18 times in 18 verses

Matthew and Mark both mention "buildings":

Matthew 24:
1 And Jesus coming out, departed from the Temple.
And His Disciples approached Him to show to Him the buildings<3619>of the Temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye,
not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”

Mark mentions "buildings" and "manner of stones"

Mark 13:1
And He going forth out of the Temple, one of His Disciples is saying to Him “Teacher! behold! what manner of stones and what manner of buildings<3619>"
2 And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down

Luke mentions the manner of stones in Mark as "goodly"

Luke 21:
5 and of some saying concerning the Temple, that to goodly<2570> stones and votive-offerings<334> it has been adorned
6 “These which ye are beholding.
Shall be coming days in which not shall be being left stone upon stone here which not shall be being thrown-down

Some OT verses where buildings occur:

1 King 9:10
At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built these two buildings—the temple of the LORD and the royal palace—
1 Chronocles 15:1
After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.

And a site I found on a little bit of history on Herod's Temple:

https://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEHerods_Temple00000006.htm

None of the restorations or extensions of the Second Temple of Zerubbabel could compare with the work begun by King Herod I (the Great) at the beginning of 19 BC. Herod complained that the Temple of Zerubbabel was built like a fortress and was shorter than that of Solomon’s Temple by about 90 feet because of a decree made by Darius, the Persian king. King Herod no doubt wanted to be remembered forever as the builder of the greatest temple of the Jews.

Although the reconstruction was equal to an entire rebuilding, still the Herodian Temple cannot be spoken of as a third Temple, for Herod even said himself, that it was only intended to be regarded as an enlarging and further beautifying of that of Zerubbabel’s.
The work of rebuilding the Temple began in 19 BC which was the 18th year of King Herod’s reign. There were 10,000 skilled laborers and according to Josephus (Ant. 15.11.2) the laity could not enter certain parts of the building, therefore 1000 Levites were specially trained as builders and masons, and carried out their work so efficiently and carefully that at no time was there any interruption in the sacrifices and other services. The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that the new building might be erected on a broader base. It was also made much taller, so that the white stone gleamed in the bright Palestinian sun and could be seen from miles away.....................................

 

[JackRT]

Herod the Great was a thoroughly evil man but he was also a remarkably gifted architect.

 

[dqhall]

I decided to do a study on the "buildings" mentioned in Matt and Luke.
"buldings" used only 3 times in the Gospels

3619. oikodome oy-kod-om-ay' feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430;
architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:--building, edify(-ication, -ing).
Strong's Number G3619 occurs 18 times in 18 verses

Matthew and Mark both mention "buildings":

Matthew 24:
1 And Jesus coming out, departed from the Temple.
And His Disciples approached Him to show to Him the buildings<3619>of the Temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye,
not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”

Mark mentions "buildings" and "manner of stones"

Mark 13:1
And He going forth out of the Temple, one of His Disciples is saying to Him “Teacher! behold! what manner of stones and what manner of buildings<3619>"
2 And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down

Luke mentions the manner of stones in Mark as "goodly"

Luke 21:
5 and of some saying concerning the Temple, that to goodly<2570> stones and votive-offerings<334> it has been adorned
6 “These which ye are beholding.
Shall be coming days in which not shall be being left stone upon stone here which not shall be being thrown-down

Some OT verses where buildings occur:

1 King 9:10
At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built these two buildings—the temple of the LORD and the royal palace—
1 Chronocles 15:1
After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.

And a site I found on a little bit of history on Herod's Temple:

https://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEHerods_Temple00000006.htm

None of the restorations or extensions of the Second Temple of Zerubbabel could compare with the work begun by King Herod I (the Great) at the beginning of 19 BC. Herod complained that the Temple of Zerubbabel was built like a fortress and was shorter than that of Solomon’s Temple by about 90 feet because of a decree made by Darius, the Persian king. King Herod no doubt wanted to be remembered forever as the builder of the greatest temple of the Jews.

Although the reconstruction was equal to an entire rebuilding, still the Herodian Temple cannot be spoken of as a third Temple, for Herod even said himself, that it was only intended to be regarded as an enlarging and further beautifying of that of Zerubbabel’s.
The work of rebuilding the Temple began in 19 BC which was the 18th year of King Herod’s reign. There were 10,000 skilled laborers and according to Josephus (Ant. 15.11.2) the laity could not enter certain parts of the building, therefore 1000 Levites were specially trained as builders and masons, and carried out their work so efficiently and carefully that at no time was there any interruption in the sacrifices and other services. The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that the new building might be erected on a broader base. It was also made much taller, so that the white stone gleamed in the bright Palestinian sun and could be seen from miles away.....................................

Some of the architecture of his fortresses remain. I can recall Masada and Herodian. At the Jaffa Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem a few courses of the masonry base of one of his towers remains. The artificial harbor built by a Herodian king at Caesarea remains, although much of it sank during an earthquake, the concrete walls are at the bottom of the harbor.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Herod the Great was a thoroughly evil man but he was also a remarkably gifted architect.

Would that be the same Herod shown in Acts 12?
The people of Tyre and Sidon are mentioned, as also in the Gospels. Interesting.

Mattthew 11:22
“But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
Luke 10:14
“But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Acts 12:
1 And about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands, to do evil to certain of those of the assembly, 2 and he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword, 3 and having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he added to lay hold of Peter also — and they were the days of the unleavened food —

20 And Herod was highly displeased with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and with one accord they came unto him, and having made a friend of Blastus, who [is] over the bed-chambers of the king, they were asking peace, because of their country being nourished from the king’s;

21 and on a set day, Herod having arrayed himself in kingly apparel, and having sat down upon the tribunal, was making an oration unto them, 22 and the populace were shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not of a man;’ 23 and presently there smote him a messenger of the Lord, because he did not give the glory to God, and having been eaten of worms, he expired.

 

[tampasteve]

Would that be the same Herod shown in Acts 12?

No, Herod the Great died around 4BC so it would have been Herod Agrippa (died 44), Herod of Chalcis, or Agrippa II. Probably Herod Agrippa though.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

No, Herod the Great died around 4BC so it would have been Herod Agrippa (died 44), Herod of Chalcis, or Agrippa II. Probably Herod Agrippa though.

Thank you. I should have looked it up before commentating. So many Roman rulers....so little time..........

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
"herod"
occurs 42 times in 39 verses i

Luke 23
11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
"agrippa"
occurs 12 times in 12 verses

Herod Agrippa - Wikipedia

Herod Agrippa, also known as Herod or Agrippa I (Hebrew: אגריפס‬; 11 BC – 44 AD), was a King of Judea from 41 to 44 AD. He was the last ruler with the royal title reigning over Judea and the father of Herod Agrippa II, the last King from the Herodian dynasty.

The grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice,[1] he was born Marcus Julius Agrippa, so named in honour of Roman statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. He is the king named Herod in the Acts of the Apostles 12:1 (Acts 12:1): "Herod (Agrippa)" (Ἡρώδης Ἀγρίππας). Josephus states that he was known in his time as "Agrippa the Great".[2]

Christian and Jewish historiography take different views of this king, with the Christians largely opposing Agrippa and the Jews placing little precedent toward the Judean kings installed by Rome.

Agrippa's territory comprised most of modern Israel, including Judea, Galilee, Batanaea and Perea. From Galilee his territory extended east to Trachonitis.

Herod the Great - Wikipedia

Herod died in Jericho,[15] after an excruciatingly painful, putrefying illness of uncertain cause, known to posterity as "Herod's Evil".[57][58] Josephus states that the pain of his illness led Herod to attempt suicide by stabbing, and that the attempt was thwarted by his cousin.[59] In some much later narratives and depictions, the attempt succeeds; for example, in the 12th-century Eadwine Psalter.[60] Other medieval dramatizations, such as the Ordo Rachelis, follow Josephus' account.[61]

Most scholarship concerning the date of Herod's death follows Emil Schürer's calculations, which revised a traditional death date of 1 BCE to 4 BCE.[62][1][3][63][64]

Two of Herod's sons, Archelaus and Philip the Tetrarch, dated their rule from 4 BCE,[65] though Archelaus apparently held royal authority during Herod's lifetime.[66] Philip's reign would last for 37 years, until his death in the 20th year of Tiberius (34 CE), which implies his accession as 4 BCE.[67] Some scholars support the traditional date of 1 BCE for Herod's death.[68][69][70][71] Filmer and Steinmann, for example, propose that Herod died in 1 BCE, and that his heirs backdated their reigns to 4 or 3 BCE to assert an overlapping with Herod's rule, and bolster their own legitimacy.[2][3][4][1] In Josephus' account, Herod's death was preceded by a lunar eclipse and followed by Passover.[72]

 

[JackRT]

Would that be the same Herod shown in Acts 12?

Four sons of Herod the Great are named in the New Testament:
1. Archelaus (Matt. 2:22). When Herod died in March of 4 BC, he was succeeded by Archelaus.
2. Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14ff; Matt. 14:1; Luke 3:1), who was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, from 4 BC until he was banished in 39 AD. He was opposed by John the Baptist (Luke 3:19; Matt. 14; Mark 6:14ff); he desired to see Christ (Luke 9:9); he was reconciled to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12). He is the Herod of Acts 4:27.
3. Herod Philip (Boethos), mentioned in Mark 6:17 as Philip (cf. also Matt. 14:3; Luke 3:19).
4. Herod Philip (Luke 3:1), the tetrarch of territory east of Jordan from 4 BC to 33 AD.
Note: A tetrarch is the ruler of the “fourth” part of a territory.

 

[BABerean2]

The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that the new building might be erected on a broader base.

The area known today as "The Temple Mount" is the remains of Roman Fort Antonia.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.





Luk 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Luk 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Luk 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

Luk 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.





Mar 15:16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.



Act_23:35 he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.



The following comes from Wars of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, Book 5, Chapter 5, Section 8.



8. Now as to the tower of Antonia, it was situated at the corner of two cloisters of the court of the temple; of that on the west, and that on the north; it was erected upon a rock of fifty cubits in height, and was on a great precipice; it was the work of king Herod, wherein he demonstrated his natural magnanimity. In the first place, the rock itself was covered over with smooth pieces of stone, from its foundation, both for ornament, and that any one who would either try to get up or to go down it might not be able to hold his feet upon it. Next to this, and before you come to the edifice of the tower itself, there was a wall three cubits high; but within that wall all the space of the tower of Antonia itself was built upon, to the height of forty cubits. The inward parts had the largeness and form of a palace, it being parted into all kinds of rooms and other conveniences, such as courts, and places for bathing, and broad spaces for camps; insomuch that, by having all conveniences that cities wanted, it might seem to be composed of several cities, but by its magnificence it seemed a palace. And as the entire structure resembled that of a tower, it contained also four other distinct towers at its four corners; whereof the others were but fifty cubits high; whereas that which lay upon the southeast corner was seventy cubits high, that from thence the whole temple might be viewed; but on the corner where it joined to the two cloisters of the temple, it had passages down to them both, through which the guard (for there always lay in this tower a Roman legion) went several ways among the cloisters, with their arms, on the Jewish festivals, in order to watch the people, that they might not there attempt to make any innovations; for the temple was a fortress that guarded the city, as was the tower of Antonia a guard to the temple; and in that tower were the guards of those three (14). There was also a peculiar fortress belonging to the upper city, which was Herod’s palace; but for the hill Bezetha, it was divided from the tower Antonia, as we have already told you; and as that hill on which the tower of Antonia stood was the highest of these three, so did it adjoin to the new city, and was the only place that hindered the sight of the temple on the north. And this shall suffice at present to have spoken about the city and the walls about it, because I have proposed to myself to make a more accurate description of it elsewhere.



Josephus said Fort Antonia was built upon a gigantic rock.


This provides tremendous evidence that the Dome of the Rock is the true location of Fort Antonia.

The true location of the ancient Jewish temple was near Gihon Spring.

.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Some of the architecture of his fortresses remain. I can recall Masada and Herodian. At the Jaffa Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem a few courses of the masonry base of one of his towers remains. The artificial harbor built by a Herodian king at Caesarea remains, although much of it sank during an earthquake, the concrete walls are at the bottom of the harbor.

I recently saw this map concerning the encompassing of Jerusalem by Titus and the Roman army.

On the map below, it shows both and old city and a new city.
[
https://www.preteristarchive.com/JewishWars/timeline_military.html
CHRONOLOGY IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING THE WAR

https://www.preteristarchive.com/StudyArchive/p/pella-flight.html

AD 66-70 Flights from Jerusalem
Recorded by Josephus (Written in AD75)
[/quote]Then while studying on the word Jerusalem, I noticed there are 2 different greek words for it. Was there both and ole City and new City surrounded by the walls?

Is the GREAT CITY in Revelation symbolizing the LAKE OF FIRE?

G2419 (KJV)

2419. Hierousalem
of Hebrew origin (3389); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare 2414.
G2419 matches the Greek (Ierousalēm), which occurs 83 times in 80 verses

TR — 83x in 3 unique form(s)
Ἰερουσαλὴμ — 40x
Ἰερουσαλήμ — 41x
Ἱερουσάλημ — 2x

G2414 (KJV)

2414. Hierosoluma
of Hebrew origin (3389); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim}, the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare 2419.
G2414 matches the Greek (Hierosolyma), which occurs 59 times in 59 verses

TR — 59x in 4 unique form(s)
Ἰεροσόλυμα — 2x
Ἱεροσόλυμα — 32x
Ἱεροσολύμοις — 14x
Ἱεροσολύμων — 11x

1st time used:

Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, G2414


.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

The area known today as "The Temple Mount" is the remains of Roman Fort Antonia.
Mar 15:16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
Act_23:35 he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.

Thanks for that post.
I am now more interested the history of the buildings both inside and outside of the Temple than I ever was.
I found some more sites and pictures.......May post more on this later.......

https://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_herod_s_palace.html

King Herod built a fantastic fortified palace to provide protection for the Upper City. Just like the Temple, Herod's Palace was constructed on a platform, about 1000 feet (from north-south), and 180 feet (from east-west).
The Palace consisted of 2 main buildings, each with its banquet halls, baths, and accommodation for hundreds of guests. It was surrounded with groves of trees, canals, and ponds studded with bronze fountains.
At the north side of Herod's palace were three towers (see Herod's three towers).

The praetorium of the trial of Jesus was located at Herod's palace which was actually the official residence of the Roman governors when they came to Jerusalem during major Jewish festivals.

HEROD'S PALACE
This model in Jerusalem is a Scholar's conception showing how the site may have looked in Jesus' day.

.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

The area known today as "The Temple Mount" is the remains of Roman Fort Antonia.

The following comes from Wars of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, Book 5, Chapter 5, Section 8.

8. Now as to the tower of Antonia, it was situated at the corner of two cloisters of the court of the temple;

.........And as the entire structure resembled that of a tower, it contained also four other distinct towers at its four corners; whereof the others were but fifty cubits high; whereas that which lay upon the southeast corner was seventy cubits high, that from thence the whole temple might be viewed; but on the corner where it joined to the two cloisters of the temple, it had passages down to them both, through which the guard (for there always lay in this tower a Roman legion) went several ways among the cloisters, with their arms, on the Jewish festivals, in order to watch the people, that they might not there attempt to make any innovations; for the temple was a fortress that guarded the city, as was the tower of Antonia a guard to the temple; and in that tower were the guards of those three (14). There was also a peculiar fortress belonging to the upper city, which was Herod’s palace; but for the hill Bezetha, it was divided from the tower Antonia, as we have already told you; and as that hill on which the tower of Antonia stood was the highest of these three, so did it adjoin to the new city, and was the only place that hindered the sight of the temple on the north. And this shall suffice at present to have spoken about the city and the walls about it, because I have proposed to myself to make a more accurate description of it elsewhere.
.

Continued from previous post #11........

Matthew 24:
1 And Jesus coming out, departed from the Temple.
And His Disciples approached Him to show to Him the buildings<3619>of the Temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye,
not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”
Mark 13:1
And He going forth out of the Temple, one of His Disciples is saying to Him “Teacher! behold! what manner of stones and what manner of buildings<3619>"
2 And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down

Article and picture of the 3 Towers. Towers are also mentioned concerning the day of the Lord, [Jerusalem 70ad?]......

Ezekiel 26:9
And a battering-ram before him he placeth against thy walls,
And thy towers he breaketh by his weapons.
Zephaniah 1:16
A day of trumpet and alarm
Against the fortified cities
And against the high towers.
Isaiah 30:25
There will be on every high mountain
And on every high hill
Rivers and streams of waters,
In the day of the great slaughter,
When the towers fall.

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD

.........Before their final demolition, however, Titus took, a. survey of the city and its fortifications ; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength, could not help ascribing his success to the peculiar interposition of the ALMIGHTY HIMSELF. "Had not God himself (exclaimed he) aided out operations, and driven the Jews from their fortresses, it would have been absolutely impossible to have taken them ; for what could men, and the force of engines, have done against such towers as these ?"........................

https://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_herod_s_three_towers.html

.King Herod built the three heavily fortified towers of the citadel upon a location that was already a very fortified position since the days of Solomon. Jerusalem's citadel was the highest point of the city about 2500 feet above sea level. Herod built the citadel and towers to protect the western side of the city of Jerusalem and his marvelous palace.
These were fantastic towers, the largest was the Phasael Tower but the most beautiful was his Mariamne Tower.

The Phasael Tower
1. Phasael Tower (the largest, named after his brother stood 145 feet high).
The Hippicus Tower
2. Hippicus Tower (named after a friend, and was 132 feet high)
The Mariamme Tower
3. Mariamme Tower (named after his beloved Hasmonean wife whom he had murdered. Josephus said "the king considering it appropriate that the tower named after a woman should surpass in decoration those called after men." It stood 74 feet high).

When Titus destroyed most of Jerusalem in 70 AD., he spared Herod's fortress.

Nothing remains of Herod's three towers and a Citadel named "David's Tower" stands on the spot of a Phasael’s Tower.

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD

Before their final demolition, however, Titus took, a. survey of the city and its fortifications ; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength,.................

After this he commanded that the city should be commanded razed to its foundations, excepting only the three lofty towers Hippocos, Phasael, and Mariamne, which he suffered to remain as evidences of its strength, and as trophies of his victory.
There was left standing, also, a small part of the western wall; as a rampart for a garrison, to keep the surrounding country in subjection. Titus now gave orders that those Jews only who resisted should be slain ; but the soldiers, equally void of pity and remorse, slew even the sick and the aged....................

.

 

[BABerean2]

Continued from previous post #11........

Matthew 24:
1 And Jesus coming out, departed from the Temple.
And His Disciples approached Him to show to Him the buildings<3619>of the Temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye,
not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”
Mark 13:1
And He going forth out of the Temple, one of His Disciples is saying to Him “Teacher! behold! what manner of stones and what manner of buildings<3619>"
2 And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down

Article and picture of the 3 Towers. Towers are also mentioned concerning the day of the Lord, [Jerusalem 70ad?]......

Ezekiel 26:9
And a battering-ram before him he placeth against thy walls,
And thy towers he breaketh by his weapons.
Zephaniah 1:16
A day of trumpet and alarm
Against the fortified cities
And against the high towers.
Isaiah 30:25
There will be on every high mountain
And on every high hill
Rivers and streams of waters,
In the day of the great slaughter,
When the towers fall.

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD

.........Before their final demolition, however, Titus took, a. survey of the city and its fortifications ; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength, could not help ascribing his success to the peculiar interposition of the ALMIGHTY HIMSELF. "Had not God himself (exclaimed he) aided out operations, and driven the Jews from their fortresses, it would have been absolutely impossible to have taken them ; for what could men, and the force of engines, have done against such towers as these ?"........................

https://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_herod_s_three_towers.html

.King Herod built the three heavily fortified towers of the citadel upon a location that was already a very fortified position since the days of Solomon. Jerusalem's citadel was the highest point of the city about 2500 feet above sea level. Herod built the citadel and towers to protect the western side of the city of Jerusalem and his marvelous palace.
These were fantastic towers, the largest was the Phasael Tower but the most beautiful was his Mariamne Tower.

The Phasael Tower
1. Phasael Tower (the largest, named after his brother stood 145 feet high).
The Hippicus Tower
2. Hippicus Tower (named after a friend, and was 132 feet high)
The Mariamme Tower
3. Mariamme Tower (named after his beloved Hasmonean wife whom he had murdered. Josephus said "the king considering it appropriate that the tower named after a woman should surpass in decoration those called after men." It stood 74 feet high).

When Titus destroyed most of Jerusalem in 70 AD., he spared Herod's fortress.

Nothing remains of Herod's three towers and a Citadel named "David's Tower" stands on the spot of a Phasael’s Tower.

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD

Before their final demolition, however, Titus took, a. survey of the city and its fortifications ; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength,.................

After this he commanded that the city should be commanded razed to its foundations, excepting only the three lofty towers Hippocos, Phasael, and Mariamne, which he suffered to remain as evidences of its strength, and as trophies of his victory.
There was left standing, also, a small part of the western wall; as a rampart for a garrison, to keep the surrounding country in subjection. Titus now gave orders that those Jews only who resisted should be slain ; but the soldiers, equally void of pity and remorse, slew even the sick and the aged....................

View attachment 244870



.

Historians have recorded that during 73 AD the Jewish leader at Masada said the only thing left of Jerusalem was that built by the Romans.

The area now known as "The Temple Mount" was not destroyed by the Romans because it was their "garrison" mentioned in the Book of Acts, which is the same as "Herod's Praetorium", also found in Acts. Herod had presented it to the Romans in honor of Antonia.
Based on the words of the leader at Masada, the Romans most probably added to what Herod gave them.
It is about the same size and shape as other Roman forts built during that time period.

Perhaps the strongest evidence is Josephus's record that Antonia was built upon a gigantic rock.
That rock is now located at "The Dome of the Rock".

All of these facts have come to light during the last few years.
However, geopolitics is part of the problem when it comes to people accepting what has been revealed, in this case.

Many Christians have been brain-washed because they have actually stood and prayed at the wall built by the Romans.
How can they ever admit this fact?

.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Josephus describes the destruction of Jerusalem as being totally leveled as prophecized.......

Matthew 24:2
And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye, not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”
Mark 13:2
And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down
Luke 21:6
“These which ye are beholding.
Shall be coming days in which not shall be being left stone upon stone here which not shall be being thrown-down

Revelation shows the locusts tormenting the people of Jerusalem for 5 months.
That was the 8th plague brought upon Egypt [Exodus 10:12-20] which I would think causes famine:

Revelation 9:
3 And out of the smoke came-out locusts into the land, and was given to them authority, as are having authority the scorpions of the land,
5 And was given to them that not they should be killing them, but that they should be being tormented five months
And the torment of them as torment of a scorpion, whenever it should be striking a man;

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD

The vial of divine wrath, which had been so long pouring out upon this devoted city was now emptying, and JERUSALEM, once "a praise in all the earth," and the subject of a thousand prophecies, deprived of' the staff of life, wrapt in flames, and bleeding on every side sunk into utter ruin and desolation.
This memorable siege terminated on the eighth day of the ninth month, A. D. 70 : its duration was nearly five months, the Romans having invested the city on the fourteenth day of the fourth month, preceeding............

In executing the command of Titus, relative to the demolition of Jerusalem, the Roman soldiers not only threw down the buildings, but even dug up their foundations, and so completely levelled the whole circuit of the city, that a stranger would scarcely have known that it had ever been inhabited by human beings.

Thus was this great City, which only five months before, had been crowded with nearly two millions of people, who gloried in its impregnable strength, entirely depopulated, and levelled with the ground.



.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Historians have recorded that during 73 AD the Jewish leader at Masada said the only thing left of Jerusalem was that built by the Romans.

The area now known as "The Temple Mount" was not destroyed by the Romans because it was their "garrison" mentioned in the Book of Acts, which is the same as "Herod's Praetorium", also found in Acts. Herod had presented it to the Romans in honor of Antonia.
Based on the words of the leader at Masada, the Romans most probably added to what Herod gave them.
It is about the same size and shape as other Roman forts built during that time period.

Perhaps the strongest evidence is Josephus's record that Antonia was built upon a gigantic rock.
That rock is now located at "The Dome of the Rock".

All of these facts have come to light during the last few years.
However, geopolitics is part of the problem when it comes to people accepting what has been revealed, in this case.

Many Christians have been brain-washed because they have actually stood and prayed at the wall built by the Romans.
How can they ever admit this fact?

.

Great info. I found a few interesting sites with pictures of the Temple, Sanctuary and Ft Antonia.

herod's temple diagram - Google Search

Associates for Scriptural Knowledge

Temple Update Index Page

http://www.askelm.com/news/n170101.pdf

Fort Antonia, Josephus, a ContradictionCommentary for January 1, 2017 — Can Josephus’ Statements be Reconciled?
After you read the “January 2017 Newsletter,” I know you will enjoy reading and listening tothe article, “Gihon Temple Evidence: Jeff Rense Interview of Ernest Martin.” It is a lively dis-cussion about the true location of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, made after the book.

Now to the title of this article. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Fort Antonia and its physical relation to the Temple of God in Jerusalem — it was north of the Temple. Dr. Ernest Martin’s research on the location of the Temple1 led him to conclude that the traditional, so-called “Temple Mount” (the Harem esh-Sharif) is actually the remains of Fort Antonia.

Josephus makes two statements about Antonia that seem to contradict one another.
First: “Titus gave orders to his soldiers that were with him to dig up the foundationsof the tower of Antonia, ... Then, days later, ... the rest of the Roman army had, in seven days’ time, overthrown[some]2foundations of the tower of Antonia, and had made a ready and broad way to the temple.” •Josephus, Wars of the Jews 6.93, 149, Whiston TranslationEleazar son of Yair, the leader of the Zealots at the desert fortress of Masada also tells of the destruction of Jerusalem. Second citation: “Where is this city that was believed to have God himself inhabiting therein? It [all Jerusalem] is now demolished to the very foundations; and has nothing but that monument of it preserved. I mean the camp of those who has destroyed it, which still dwells upon its ruins.” •Josephus, Wars of the Jews 7.376, Whiston Translation[the words in brackets are mine]

•The first quotes say the Romans “dug up the foundations” and had “overthrown foundations” of Antonia. •

The second quote says “the camp” of the conquerors, meaning Fort Antonia,3was the only recognizable feature of Jerusalem that continued to exist.4So, were the foundations dug up and overthrown, and Antonia recognizable as the Roman camp?
Actually, both events happened — if you understand the correct location of Antonia. Compare the diagrams at the top of the next page.
[1 The Temples That Jerusalem Forgot (2000). 2 The word “some” in brackets is Whiston’s addition.3 Fort Antonia was long occupied by the Romans until the outbreak of the Jewish rebellion in 66 AD. 4 The rest of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground as Jesus prophesied (Luke 19:41–44), and Josephus confirmed (Wars 6.413, 7.1–3). Three towers were allowed to remain at first, but later demolished.]

Competing Theories of Temple-Antonia Location

The traditional theory (the left illustration) is that the Temple was located on the so-called“Temple Mount,” while Fort Antonia was a small structure on the northwest corner of the pre-sent day Harem esh-Sharif. This is unlikely however because Josephus tells us that Fort An-tonia, particularly on the Jewish feasts, contained an entire legion at full strength:“... for a Roman legion [tagma, in Latin] was permanently quartered there, and at the festivals took up positions in arms around the porticoes to watch the peo-ple and repress any insurrection movement.”This is roughly 5,400 men (Wars of the Jews 5.244) with perhaps 4,000 more people who provided goods and services to the Roman troops.
Compare it with the illustration on the right.
That Fort Antonia is much larger than the Tem-ple rather than smaller. It could easily hide the view of the Temple from the north (the right side of the diagram, Wars of the Jews 5.238, 246), and it certainly appears capable in size and structure to accommodate several thousand people (Wars of the Jews 5.240–242).

Of course, there is much more convincing evidence in Dr. Martin’s Temples book than comparing the Antonia mentioned in Josephus. Nevertheless, once you begin to look at the so-called “Temple Mount” as being Fort Antonia, it will be difficult for you to change back. When viewed from the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley, the “Temple Mount” looks like a fortress because it was designed to overawe everyone who saw it. The massive Antonia fortress overlooked and protected the stunningly beautiful Temple to the south.The Solution Both statements about Fort Antonia are true.

The foundations were dug up and overthrown, the buildings on the platform were destroyed, and the corner towers on Antonia, and the stones on the walls have decidedly two parts.
First,the stones below the surface of the Harem esh–Sharif are massive with carved ridges in them, somehow moved into place where they remain to this day. Second, are the layers of stones above surface level. The stones are smaller, haphazardly placed when the Ottoman Turks rebuilt the walls in 1535 AD. That material was used for ramps to attack the Temple from Antonia.

 

[JackRT]

Great info. I found a few interesting sites with pictures of the Temple, Sanctuary and Ft Antonia.

herod's temple diagram - Google Search

Associates for Scriptural Knowledge

Temple Update Index Page

http://www.askelm.com/news/n170101.pdf

Fort Antonia, Josephus, a ContradictionCommentary for January 1, 2017 — Can Josephus’ Statements be Reconciled?
After you read the “January 2017 Newsletter,” I know you will enjoy reading and listening tothe article, “Gihon Temple Evidence: Jeff Rense Interview of Ernest Martin.” It is a lively dis-cussion about the true location of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, made after the book.

Now to the title of this article. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about Fort Antonia and its physical relation to the Temple of God in Jerusalem — it was north of the Temple. Dr. Ernest Martin’s research on the location of the Temple1 led him to conclude that the traditional, so-called “Temple Mount” (the Harem esh-Sharif) is actually the remains of Fort Antonia.

Josephus makes two statements about Antonia that seem to contradict one another.
First: “Titus gave orders to his soldiers that were with him to dig up the foundationsof the tower of Antonia, ... Then, days later, ... the rest of the Roman army had, in seven days’ time, overthrown[some]2foundations of the tower of Antonia, and had made a ready and broad way to the temple.” •Josephus, Wars of the Jews 6.93, 149, Whiston TranslationEleazar son of Yair, the leader of the Zealots at the desert fortress of Masada also tells of the destruction of Jerusalem. Second citation: “Where is this city that was believed to have God himself inhabiting therein? It [all Jerusalem] is now demolished to the very foundations; and has nothing but that monument of it preserved. I mean the camp of those who has destroyed it, which still dwells upon its ruins.” •Josephus, Wars of the Jews 7.376, Whiston Translation[the words in brackets are mine]

•The first quotes say the Romans “dug up the foundations” and had “overthrown foundations” of Antonia. •

The second quote says “the camp” of the conquerors, meaning Fort Antonia,3was the only recognizable feature of Jerusalem that continued to exist.4So, were the foundations dug up and overthrown, and Antonia recognizable as the Roman camp?
Actually, both events happened — if you understand the correct location of Antonia. Compare the diagrams at the top of the next page.
[1 The Temples That Jerusalem Forgot (2000). 2 The word “some” in brackets is Whiston’s addition.3 Fort Antonia was long occupied by the Romans until the outbreak of the Jewish rebellion in 66 AD. 4 The rest of Jerusalem was leveled to the ground as Jesus prophesied (Luke 19:41–44), and Josephus confirmed (Wars 6.413, 7.1–3). Three towers were allowed to remain at first, but later demolished.]

Competing Theories of Temple-Antonia Location

The traditional theory (the left illustration) is that the Temple was located on the so-called“Temple Mount,” while Fort Antonia was a small structure on the northwest corner of the pre-sent day Harem esh-Sharif. This is unlikely however because Josephus tells us that Fort An-tonia, particularly on the Jewish feasts, contained an entire legion at full strength:“... for a Roman legion [tagma, in Latin] was permanently quartered there, and at the festivals took up positions in arms around the porticoes to watch the peo-ple and repress any insurrection movement.”This is roughly 5,400 men (Wars of the Jews 5.244) with perhaps 4,000 more people who provided goods and services to the Roman troops.
Compare it with the illustration on the right.
That Fort Antonia is much larger than the Tem-ple rather than smaller. It could easily hide the view of the Temple from the north (the right side of the diagram, Wars of the Jews 5.238, 246), and it certainly appears capable in size and structure to accommodate several thousand people (Wars of the Jews 5.240–242).

Of course, there is much more convincing evidence in Dr. Martin’s Temples book than comparing the Antonia mentioned in Josephus. Nevertheless, once you begin to look at the so-called “Temple Mount” as being Fort Antonia, it will be difficult for you to change back. When viewed from the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley, the “Temple Mount” looks like a fortress because it was designed to overawe everyone who saw it. The massive Antonia fortress overlooked and protected the stunningly beautiful Temple to the south.The Solution Both statements about Fort Antonia are true.

The foundations were dug up and overthrown, the buildings on the platform were destroyed, and the corner towers on Antonia, and the stones on the walls have decidedly two parts.
First,the stones below the surface of the Harem esh–Sharif are massive with carved ridges in them, somehow moved into place where they remain to this day. Second, are the layers of stones above surface level. The stones are smaller, haphazardly placed when the Ottoman Turks rebuilt the walls in 1535 AD. That material was used for ramps to attack the Temple from Antonia.

Where would the present day mosque "The Dome of the Rock" be located?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Where would the present day mosque "The Dome of the Rock" be located?

Not sure. Here is a thread on that:

The 3rd Temple shall be built beside Dome of the Rock

The dome of the rock is exactly located at the COURT and will not be removed due to the threats from Arab world so the 3rd Temple shall be built side by side as the symbol of fake peace by antichrist.
Isnt it amazing that Apostle John has seen it 2000 years ago ?

And i suspect Jerusalem shall be made an int'l city so the antichrist can rule the world from it.
Rev 11:2 ..and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The nations will rage against Trump's recognition on Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, what will happen that Jerusalem shall be owned by gentile nations ? Will Israel then give it up after a defeat in war ???

2 Thes 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

This is a post from another thread concerning what happened when their was an attempt to build another Temple after the 1st century Temple was leveled.

Did the event of 1948 Israel fulfill any Bible prophecy?

Sozomen (ca. A.D.375-447)
"Ecclesiastical History"
Book V, Chapter XXII

Though the emperor [Julian the Apostate] hated and opressed the Christians, he manifested benevolence and humanity towards the Jews. He wrote to the Jewish patriarchs and leaders, as well as to the people, requesting them to pray for him, and for the prosperity of the empire. In taking this step he was not actuated, I am convinced, by any respect for their religion; for he was aware that it is, so to speak, the mother of the Christian religion, and he knew that both religions rest upon the authority of the patriarchs and the prophets; but he thought to grieve the Christians by favoring the Jews, who are their most inveterate enemies. But perhaps he also calculated upon persuading the Jews to embrace paganism and sacrifices; for they were only acquainted with the mere letter of Scripture, and could not, like the Christians and a few of the wisest among the Hebrews, discern the hidden meaning.

Events proved that this was his real motive; for he sent for some of the chiefs of the race and exhorted them to return to the observance of the laws of Moses and the customs of their fathers. On their replying that because the temple in Jerusalem was overturned, it was neither lawful nor ancestral to do this in another place than the metropolis out of which they had been cast, he gave them public money, commanded them to rebuild the temple, and to practice the cult similar to that of their ancestors, by sacrificing after the ancient way. The Jews entered upon the undertaking, without reflecting that, according to the prediction of the holy prophets, it could not be accomplished. They sought for the most skillful artisans, collected materials, cleared the ground, and entered so earnestly upon the task, that even the women carried heaps of earth, and brought their necklaces and other female ornaments towards defraying the expense. The emperor, the other pagans, and all the Jews, regarded every other undertaking as secondary in importance to this. Although the pagans were not well-disposed towards the Jews, yet they assisted them in this enterprise, because they reckoned upon its ultimate success, and hoped by this means to falsify the prophecies of Christ. Besides this motive, the Jews themselves were impelled by the consideration that the time had arrived for rebuilding their temple. When they had removed the ruins of the former building, they dug up the ground and cleared away its foundation; it is said that on the following day when they were about to lay the first foundation, a great earthquake occurred, and by the violent agitation of the earth, stones were thrown up from the depths, by which those of the Jews who were engaged in the work were wounded, as likewise those who were merely looking on. The houses and public porticos, near the site of the temple, in which they had diverted themselves, were suddenly thrown down; many were caught thereby, some perished immediately, others were found half dead and mutilated of hands or legs, others were injured in other parts of the body. When God caused the earthquake to cease, the workmen who survived again returned to their task, partly because such was the edict of the emperor, and partly because they were themselves interested in the undertaking. Men often, in endeavoring to gratify their own passions, seek what is injurious to them, reject what would be truly advantageous, and are deluded-by the idea that nothing is really useful except what is agreeable to them. When once led astray by this error, they are no longer able to act in a manner conducive to their own interests, or to take warning by the calamities which are visited upon them.

The Jews, I believe, were just in this state; for, instead of regarding this unexpected earthquake as a manifest indication that God was opposed to the re-erection of their temple, they proceeded to recommence the work. But all parties relate, that they had scarcely returned to the undertaking, when fire burst suddenly from the foundations of the temple, and consumed several of the workmen.

This fact is fearlessly stated, and believed by all; the only discrepancy in the narrative is that some maintain that flame burst from the interior of the temple, as the workmen were striving to force an entrance, while others say that the fire proceeded directly from the earth. In whichever way the phenomenon might have occurred, it is equally wonderful. A more tangible and still more extraordinary prodigy ensued; suddenly the sign of the cross appeared spontaneously on the garments of the persons engaged in the undertaking. These crosses were disposed like stars, and appeared the work of art. Many were hence led to confess that Christ is God, and that the rebuilding of the temple was not pleasing to Him; others presented themselves in the church, were initiated, and besought Christ, with hymns and supplications, to pardon their transgression.

If any one does not feel disposed to believe my narrative, let him go and be convinced by those who heard the facts I have related from the eyewitnesses of them, for they are still alive. Let him inquire, also, of the Jews and pagans who left the work in an incomplete state, or who, to speak more accurately, were able to commence it.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

I decided to do a study on the "buildings" mentioned in Matt and *Mark.
"buldings" used only 3 times in the Gospels

3619. oikodome oy-kod-om-ay' feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430;
architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:--building, edify(-ication, -ing).
Strong's Number G3619 occurs 18 times in 18 verses

Matthew and Mark both mention "buildings":

Matthew 24:
1 And Jesus coming out, departed from the Temple.
And His Disciples approached Him to show to Him the buildings<3619>of the Temple.
2 And Jesus said to them, “ are ye not seeing all these?
Amen I am saying to ye,
not no may be being left here stone upon stone, which not shall be being thrown-down.”

Mark mentions "buildings" and "manner of stones"

Mark 13:1
And He going forth out of the Temple, one of His Disciples is saying to Him “Teacher! behold! what manner of stones and what manner of buildings<3619>"
2 And Jesus answering said to him, “thou are beholding these, the great buildings.<3619>
Not no may be being left here stone upon stone which not no may be being thrown-down

Luke mentions the manner of stones in Mark as "goodly"

Luke 21:
5 and of some saying concerning the Temple, that to goodly<2570> stones and votive-offerings<334> it has been adorned
6 “These which ye are beholding.
Shall be coming days in which not shall be being left stone upon stone here which not shall be being thrown-down

Some OT verses where buildings occur:

1 King 9:10
At the end of twenty years, during which Solomon built these two buildings—the temple of the LORD and the royal palace—
1 Chronocles 15:1
After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement.

And a site I found on a little bit of history on Herod's Temple:

Construction and Rebuilding (Herod's Temple )

None of the restorations or extensions of the Second Temple of Zerubbabel could compare with the work begun by King Herod I (the Great) at the beginning of 19 BC. Herod complained that the Temple of Zerubbabel was built like a fortress and was shorter than that of Solomon’s Temple by about 90 feet because of a decree made by Darius, the Persian king. King Herod no doubt wanted to be remembered forever as the builder of the greatest temple of the Jews.

Although the reconstruction was equal to an entire rebuilding, still the Herodian Temple cannot be spoken of as a third Temple, for Herod even said himself, that it was only intended to be regarded as an enlarging and further beautifying of that of Zerubbabel’s.
The work of rebuilding the Temple began in 19 BC which was the 18th year of King Herod’s reign. There were 10,000 skilled laborers and according to Josephus (Ant. 15.11.2) the laity could not enter certain parts of the building, therefore 1000 Levites were specially trained as builders and masons, and carried out their work so efficiently and carefully that at no time was there any interruption in the sacrifices and other services. The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that the new building might be erected on a broader base. It was also made much taller, so that the white stone gleamed in the bright Palestinian sun and could be seen from miles away.....................................