Synagogue
LocationsGeographical Setting
A synagogue is a Jewish house of assembly and prayer that emerged during the Second Temple period and became central to Jewish communal life.
What is the meaning of Synagogue in the Bible?
The synagogue was a Jewish place of worship that originated during the Babylonian exile and spread throughout Palestine and the Diaspora, serving as a counterpoise to the temple and providing instruction in the Law for all classes of people.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the synagogue clarifies the shift in Jewish religious practice from centralized sacrificial worship to decentralized study and prayer, illuminating the context of Jesus' ministry and the early church's engagement with Jewish communities.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Synagogue in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Synagogue clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.