first used of the tabernacle, which is called "the temple of the Lord" (1-Sam 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (John 2:19, John 2: 21). Believers are called "the temple of God" (1-Cor 3:16, 1-Cor 3: 17). The Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Rev. 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 [R.V., 'house'] of the Lord" (2-Kings 11:10); "thy holy temple" (Psa 79:1); "the house of the Lord" (2-Chr 23:5, 2-Chr 23: 12); "the house of the God of Jacob" (Isa. 2:3); "the house of my glory" (0:7); an "house of prayer" (6:7; Matt. 21:13); "an house of sacrifice" (2-Chr 7:12); "the house of their sanctuary" (2-Chr 36:17); "the mountain of the Lord's house" (Isa. 2:2); "our holy and our beautiful house" (4:11); "the holy mount" (27:13); "the palace for the Lord God" (1-Chr 29:1); "the tabernacle of witness" (2-Chr 24:6); "Zion" (Psa 74:2;84:7). Christ calls it "my Father's house" (John 2:16).