Bible Dictionaries
Temple

Easton's Bible Dictionary

First used of the tabernacle, which is called "the temple of the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:9 ). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (John 2:19,21 ). Believers are called "the temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16,17 ). The Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21 ). Heaven is also called a temple (Revelation 7:5 ). We read also of the heathen "temple of the great goddess Diana" (Acts 19:27 ).

This word is generally used in Scripture of the sacred house erected on the summit of Mount Moriah for the worship of God. It is called "the temple" (1 Kings 6:17 ); "the temple [RSV, 'house'] of the Lord" (2 Kings 11:10 ); "thy holy temple" (Psalm 79:1 ); "the house of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 23:5,12 ); "the house of the God of Jacob" (Isaiah 2:3 ); "the house of my glory" (60:7); an "house of prayer" (56:7; Matthew 21:13 ); "an house of sacrifice" (2 Chronicles 7:12 ); "the house of their sanctuary" (2 Chronicles 36:17 ); "the mountain of the Lord's house" (Isaiah 2:2 ); "our holy and our beautiful house" (64:11); "the holy mount" (27:13); "the palace for the Lord God" (1 Chronicles 29:1 ); "the tabernacle of witness" (2 Chronicles 24:6 ); "Zion" (Psalm 74:2; 84:7 ). Christ calls it "my Father's house" (John 2:16 ).