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    Temple

    ἱερόν (hieron)

    God's dwelling place — the sacred house where His presence resides.

    Greek
    Pronunciation: hee-eh-RON
    Quick Answer

    Hieron is the Greek word for temple, referring to the sacred complex where God's presence dwelt among His people. The New Testament reveals that believers themselves are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.

    "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" — 1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    1 Corinthians 6:19

    “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
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    John 2:19

    “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
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    2 Chronicles 7:1

    “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.”
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    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Hieron comes from the Greek hieros, meaning 'sacred.' It refers to the entire temple complex, including courts and surrounding areas. The inner sanctuary is called naos, the specific dwelling of the deity. The Hebrew equivalent is hekal (palace/temple) or bayit (house). Together these terms express the idea that the temple is God's sacred house among His people.

    Solomon's Temple

    Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem around 960 BC, fulfilling David's desire to build a permanent house for God. When the temple was dedicated, God's glory filled it so powerfully that the priests could not stand to minister (2 Chronicles 5:14). It stood as the center of Israelite worship for nearly 400 years before its destruction by Babylon in 586 BC.

    The Temple of Christ's Body

    When Jesus said, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' (John 2:19), He spoke of His body. His incarnation fulfilled the temple's purpose — God dwelling among humanity. His death and resurrection replaced the temple system with a living, risen Lord who is the true meeting place between God and man.

    Believers as God's Temple

    Paul revolutionized the temple concept: 'Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost' (1 Corinthians 6:19). The church corporately is also God's temple (Ephesians 2:21-22). God no longer dwells in buildings made with hands (Acts 17:24) but in the hearts of His people, making every believer a sacred space where heaven meets earth.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does temple mean in the Bible?

    The temple (hieron) is God's dwelling place — the sacred structure where His presence resided. Solomon's temple in Jerusalem was the center of Israelite worship.

    Why are believers called temples?

    Because the Holy Spirit now dwells in believers (1 Corinthians 6:19). What the physical temple symbolized — God's presence among His people — is now realized in each Christian and in the church community.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Temple"?

    1 Corinthians 6:19 — "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (KJV). It also appears in John 2:19, 2 Chronicles 7:1.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Temple" matter?

    Hieron comes from the Greek hieros, meaning 'sacred.' It refers to the entire temple complex, including courts and surrounding areas. English uses one word, "Temple", where the Greek ἱερόν (hieron) carries the fuller sense: god's dwelling place — the sacred house where his presence resides.

    Related Words

    Tabernacle
    Holy
    Glory
    Priest

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Temple (ἱερόν (hieron))

    God's dwelling place — the sacred house where His presence resides.

    Word Meaning

    Temple (Hieron) (ἱερόν (hieron))

    The sacred dwelling — God's house where heaven and earth intersect.

    Strong's

    Strong's G2411 — Temple (Hieron)

    ἱερόν (hieron) • The sacred dwelling — God's house where heaven and earth intersect.

    Strong's

    Strong's H1964 — Temple (Hekal)

    הֵיכָל (hekal) • The grand palace — the holy house where God's glory dwells among His people.

    Commentary

    1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Commentary

    In-depth study • Body as Temple

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of Teeth Falling Out in a Dream (KJV)

    Loss of strength, spoken words, and unresolved fear.

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