The Temple in Jerusalem was not located over the Dome of Tablets

The Temple in Jerusalem was not located over the Dome of Tablets

Asher S. Kaufman takes the view that the temple was located over the Dome of the Tablets, also known as the Dome of the Spirits.
The two names of this Islamic structure are suggested to be connected with the Holy of Holies of the Jewish Temple. It is suggested that "Dome of the Tablets" traces back to the "Dome of the Tablets of the Covenant inside the ark in the Holy of Holies". It is suggested that "Dome of the Spirits" traces back to "Dome of the Spirit of God that dwelt in the Holy of Holies".
"If it is assumed that the orientation of the Second Temple was exactly east-west, then the alignment 9° south of west indicates that the line of the Temple building or complex of buildings associated with it angled a bit to the south (to the left looking west). One might suppose that the building was nevertheless rectangular and that its orientation was simply off east-west by 9°; that is, instead of its being oriented exactly on an east-west axis, it was oriented slightly to the south of west. But this supposition is contradicted by another series of ancient objects on the other (southern) side of the building complex whose plan and location we are trying to determine. (Asher S. Kaufman, Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood. Extant "foundation stone" for the Ark of the Covenant is identified." (BAR 9:02, Mar/Apr 1983)

Above: The "Dome of the Tablets" or "Dome of the Spirits" is pictured with the dark roof in front of the Dome of the Rock.
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Below is a close up of the rock underneath the Dome of the Tablets"

Below is where Kaufman would place Herod's Temple:

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Below is where Kaufman would place Solomon's Temple:

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Here is a key to archeology noted by Kaufman overlaid with both Solomon's (first) and Herod's (second) Temple:

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Key to above blueprint map of Temple located over the Dome of Tablets:

1. hewn rock-mass 9° south of west

2. wall remains 9° south of west

4. wall

5. pavement of large flagstones flush with ground 9° south of west

6. wall remains 9° south of west

9. underground rock-cut cisterns 9° north of west (Wilson)

10. cemented cistern

11. two large slabs of bedrock close to one another that form part of the eastern retaining wall of the platform of the Dome of the Rock north-south axis

13. relic of a wall uncovered in 1979 part of the foundation of the parapet Josephus called the geision

14. rock scarp of the Antonia, and the scarp at the northern end of the Dome of the Rock platform perpendicular to the Eastern Wall. a crypt supporting the northeastern angle of the Court of the Priests and part of the Outer Court

16. rock wall in basement of small domed house 9° north of west

17. underground rock-cut cisterns 9° north of west (Wilson)

By Steve Rudd: Contact the author for comments, input or corrections.

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