I. Its Origin. The synagogue arose during the captivity, when the Temple was in ruins and the sacrifices were in abeyance. In the land of captivity the people of God met for worship and fellowship, and out of their meeting grew the synagogue, a word meaning "a coming together." It is believed that the institution was organized as a part of the Jewish system by Ezra, B. C. 440.
II. Its Universality. There was but one temple, standing on Mount Moriah, and only those who journeyed thither could attend its services. But the synagogue was in every place where the Jews dwelt, both in Palestine and throughout the world. Wherever ten Jewish heads of families could be found there a synagogue would be established. There were four hundred and sixty synagogues in Jerusalem; and every nationality of Jews had its own (Acts 6. 9).
III. The Place of Meeting. This might be a building erected for the purpose, or a hired room, or even a place in the open air (Acts 16. 13). This meeting place was employed for secular as well as religious uses. Courts were held in it, and sentence was administered (Acts 22. 19), and sometimes a school for teaching the law was held in it. Thus the synagogue became a center of local influence.
IV. Its Arrangement. Every ancient synagogue contained:
1. An "ark," which was the chest for the sacred rolls, and stood in the end of the building toward Jerusalem.
2. Chief seats, elevated, near and around the "ark," for the elders and leading men (Matt. 23. 6).
3. A desk for the reader standing upon a platform.
4. Places for the worshipers, carefully graded according to rank, the Gentile visitors having seats near the door of entrance.
5. A lattice gallery where women could worship without being seen.