Events of The Bible

Destruction of the First Temple

Bible Basics

Events

חורבן בית המקדש הראשון

Churban Beit HaMikdash HaRishon

khur-BAN bayt ha-mik-DASH ha-ri-SHON

Where does Destruction of the First Temple take place?

In the city of Jerusalem in the Land of Israel.

When does Destruction of the First Temple take place?

On the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av in year 3338 on the Hebrew Calendar, generally calculated as 423 BCE.

Where is Destruction of the First Temple mentioned in the Bible

II Kings 25:8 – II Kings 25:17

וַיִּשְׂרֹף אֶת־בֵּית־יְהֹוָה וְאֶת־בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ וְאֵת כָּל־בָּתֵּי יְרוּשָׁלִַם וְאֶת־כָּל־בֵּית גָּדוֹל שָׂרַף בָּאֵשׁ׃

He burned the House of Hashem, the king’s palace, and all the houses of Yerushalayim; he burned down the house of every notable person.

II – Kings 25:9

What happened at Destruction of the First Temple?

During the Destruction of the First Temple, the Babylonians invaded and sacked Jerusalem. The city was destroyed, its walls were pulled down, and First Temple was destroyed by fire. The holy items and decorations of the Temple were stripped and taken to Babylon.

The Destruction was a highly traumatic event for the People of Israel and is commemorated on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish national day of mourning.

The prophet Jeremiah had prophesied (29:10) that the People of Israel would return to Israel from the Exile after 70 years, which indeed came to pass.

Help Us Spread the Hebrew Bible's Teachings!

Donate Now

Destruction of the First Temple