What Is A Courtyard?

A courtyard is an open area enclosed by a fence in front of the Tent of Meeting, where priests offered burnt offerings and carried out priestly duties (see image above).

Later, when Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the courtyard area was surrounded by walls and divided into two main courtyards:

1. The inner courtyard – reserved for the priests to perform offerings and atonement rituals.
2. The outer courtyard – for all the Israelites to gather and worship (see image below).

However, in the Bible, a Behewa was not limited to being in front of the Tent of Meeting or the Temple. It also appeared in royal palaces and other priestly buildings.

1 Kings 7:1, 11–12

“Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house… And above it were costly stones, hewn according to measure, and cedar beams. And the great courtyard all around it was three rows of hewn stones, and a row of cedar pillars, like the inner courtyard of the house of the LORD and the hall of the house.”

Matthew 26:3 

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas.”

In the Book of Revelation, we also read that in the last days, the outer courtyard of the Temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem will be under the authority of the nations for a period of 42 months:

Revelation 11:1–2 :

“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there. But do not measure the outer court; leave that out, for it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.’”

To fully understand the background, reasons, and spiritual significance of these events, refer to the other lessons we have listed below.

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