The Temple Inscription

King Herod the Great rebuilt the Jerusalem temple. It consisted of the sacred building itself, situated on a court ("Court of the Women") that was surrounded by a wall (temenos). This complex was in turn placed on the terrace that still dominates Jerusalem today and was accessible to non-Jews. An inscription from the temenos indicated that pagans were not supposed to enter the Court of the Women.

No intruder is allowed in the courtyard and within the wall surrounding the temple. Whoever enters will invite death for himself.

This inscription is of some importance, because it is additional proof that the Jewish temple was indeed on the Temple Mount, something denied by some Palestinian authors, who are afraid that the Jews will one day demolish the Dome of the Rock to rebuild their Temple.