Jerusalem's temple represented not only the glory of Israel's past but the splendor of its future, when the Messiah would come and reign over God's people. To recapture the essence of the temple's significance, both in the life of Israel and in the life and theology of the early Christians, readers are fortunate indeed to have as a tour guide that eminent scholar of Judaism and the New Testament, Alfred Edersheim.

Readers who want to experience the grandeur of Herod's temple - the temple that Jesus "cleansed" - or the anguish of a temple trodden by Roman soldiers will appreciate Edersheim's knowledge of and passion for the temple of Scripture. Readers will also welcome this newly typeset, highly readable edition with illustrations and marginal references from Scripture, Philo, Josephus, and the Mishnah.