Temple first used of the tabernacle, which is called "the temple of the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:9). In the New Testament the word is used figuratively of Christ's human body (John 2:19, John 1:2). Believers are called "the temple of God" (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 1:3). The Church is designated "an holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21). Heaven is also called a temple (Revelation 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" (Psalms 79:1); "the house of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 23:5, 2 Chronicles 1:23); "the house of the God of Jacob" (Isaiah 2:3); "the house of my glory" (60:7); an "house of prayer" (56:7; Matthew 21:13); "an house of sacrifice" (2 Chronicles 7:12); "the house of their sanctuary" (2 Chronicles 36:17); "the mountain of the Lord's house" (Isaiah 2:2); "our holy and our beautiful house" (64:11); "the holy mount" (27:13); "the palace for the Lord God" (1 Chronicles 29:1); "the tabernacle of witness" (2 Chronicles 24:6); "Zion" (Psalms 74:2; Psalms 1:84). Christ calls it "my Father's house" (John 2:16).