God’s Mountain Challenges the Timing of Temple Mount’s Construction

Having pursued PhD studies in ancient Jewish history and archaeology as well as classical studies and rabbinic literature, Dr. Yaron Eliav leverages his expertise to teach Judaic studies courses in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan. Dr. Yaron Eliav is also a published author who wrote the book God’s Mountain: The Temple Mount in Time, Place, and Memory.

Published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2005, God’s Mountain discusses how the sacred Temple Mount site has impacted Jewish and Christian traditions over time. Readers learn about Temple Mount’s construction and the religious concepts that shaped its formation. Investigation and analysis also leads the author to challenge the period in which the site came into fruition.

Historic texts state Temple Mount was created during the Israel’s earliest days during 10th century BCE. This places its construction alongside that of the First Temple made by Solomon. However, close examination of timelines suggests otherwise. Temple Mount has history that coincides with defining events, including the mountain’s enlargement at the end of 1st century BCE by King Herod, Roman Emperor Titus’ temple destruction in 70 CE, and 60 years later, Hadrian’s actions in Jerusalem. These key moments place the actual build of Temple Mount closer to the Second Temple era, which occurred during the 1st century CE.