| Cyrus reigned | 30 } | Years. |
| Cambyses | 08 } | |
| It was finished in the year of Darius Hystaspis | 09 } |
One year deducted from Cyrus his Reign, there remains 46.
[200] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 11. c. 4.
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.
[201] Ioseph. Antiq. lib. 15 cap. ult.
[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.
[204] Hospinian. ex Talmudistis, de Orig. Templ. c. 3.
[205] D. Kimchi in Hagg. 1. 8. Eadem scribit Rabbi Solomon ibid.