140 LT.-COL. G. MACKINLAY ON BIBLICAL ASTRONOMY. 



following points ; they were each oriented, rectangular in plan, 

 symmetrical on either side of a central line, and provided with 

 an inner sanctuary and with rows of pillars. But when we 

 come to the arrangement of the pillars we find a vital 

 difference. 



We have seen that in heathen temples dedicated to 

 astronomical deities, a clear course is allowed down the centre 

 from the entrance to allow the light of the rising sun or star 

 to shine into the inmost holy recesses. This necessitates an 

 even number' of pillars on the front, as may he seen at St. 

 Paul's in London, St. Peters in Rome, etc., which are copied 

 from the antique. It may perhaps be said that beauty of 

 appearance also demands a central entrance. It is conse- 

 quently remarkable that the number of pillars in front of the 

 tabernacle was odd ; while the number placed between the holy 

 place and the most holy was even* (Ex. xxvi, 32, 37 : xxxvi, 

 36, 38 ; see fig. 2). 



The glory of the Lord was within the most holy place of the 

 Tabernacle and of the Temple (Ex. xl, 35 ; II Chron. vii, 2 ; see 

 also Rev. xxi, 23, xxii, 5), consequently there was no need to 

 make arrangements for light to come in from outside. Even 

 had the veil been lifted and the strict orders against entrance 

 into the most holy place been relaxed, the odd central pillar 

 would have prevented the light of the rising sun from entering 

 effectively ; may we not therefore look upon this central pillar 

 as a protest against the worship of the heavenly host ? 



Solomon's temple was the direct successor to the Tabernacle, 

 and we find several of the dimensions of the one simply doubled 

 in the other (Ex. xxvi, 16, 18, 22 ; I Kings vi, 2, 20) thus : — 





Length. 



Breadth. 



Height of 

 Most Holy Place. 



Tabernacle 

 Temple ... 



30 cubits. 



60 „ 



10 cubit*. 

 20 „ 



10 cubits. 

 20 „ 



* It has been said by some, that the central pillar was necessary, in 

 order to carry one end of a ridge pole (which, however, is not mentioned 

 in the Bible). But even if this were so, the light of the rising sun would 

 have still been obstructed ; it would not have been difficult to have 

 carried the ridge pole (if it existed) on a short cross piece supported on 

 two pillars, if an unobstructed central space had been desired. 



