historical perspectives: from the hasmoneans to bar kokhba in light ...

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE JERUSALEM TEMPLE 81
The final aspect to be discussed here is the holy of holies. This
section of the Tabernacle was ten cubits square. The twenty cubits
of the Temple Scroll is the dimension given for the holy of holies in
the Solomonic Temple plan in 1 Kgs 6:20 36 and 2 Chron. 3:8. This
same dimension is given by Josephus for the Solomonic Temple (Ant.
8.71). The Book of Ezekiel expected a holy of holies of the same
size in its Temple as well (41:4). These same dimensions are given
in Josephus's description of the Herodian Temple (War 5.219). In
view of the unanimity in the measurement of the holy of holies, the
identification of the reference to twenty cubits in the Temple Scroll in
a fragmentary passage must be accepted as definite.
When we review the dimensions of the Temple building itself, we
see that Josephus and the Temple Scroll shared the dimensions for the
sanctuary required by the biblical description of the Solomonic Temple.
Josephus gives contradictory numbers for the dimensions of the facade
of the portico of Herod's Temple. In any case, he described a much
higher and grandiose fagade than that which the Temple Scroll required,
based on its particular biblical exegesis. Whereas Josephus spoke of
120 cubits as the height of the portico, the height in the Temple Scroll
was only sixty. Regarding the holy of holies, Josephus and the Temple
Scroll agree to a square structure of twenty cubits.
Conclusion
The descriptions of the Jerusalem Temple presented by Josephus and
by the Temple Scroll share very little beyond basic details that they
derived from the biblical material pertaining to the Solomonic Temple.
The structure of the courtyards, the surrounding chambers, and the
fagades described are quite different. Several specific conclusions emerge.
1. There is absolutely no chance that Josephus used the Temple
Scroll or the architectural plan included in it as a source.
2. The ideals of the architect of that plan for a gargantuan,
redesigned Temple were never realized, even when Herod's
architects rebuilt the Temple.
36 Understanding as if it said , as in NJPS, "the interior of the Shrine."
Cf. Rashi and Radak, ad loc.