Synagogue: (Gr. sunagoge, i.e., "an assembly"), found only once in the Authorized
Version of
(Psalms 74:8) where the margin of Revised Version has "places
of assembly," which is probably correct; for while the origin of
synagogues is unknown, it may well be supposed that buildings or
tents for the accommodation of worshippers may have existed in the
land from an early time, and thus the system of synagogues would be
gradually developed. Some, however, are of opinion that it was
specially during the Babylonian captivity that the system of
synagogue worship, if not actually introduced, was at least
reorganized on a systematic plan
(Ezekiel 8:1; 14:1) The exiles gathered
together for the reading of the law and the prophets as they had
opportunity, and after their return synagogues were established all
over the land
(Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 8:2) In after years, when the Jews were
dispersed abroad, wherever they went they erected synagogues and kept
up the stated services of worship
(Acts 9:20; 13:5; 17:1; 17:17; 18:4) The
form and internal arrangements of the synagogue would greatly depend
on the wealth of the Jews who erected it, and on the place where it
was built. "Yet there are certain traditional pecularities which have
doubtless united together by a common resemblance the Jewish
synagogues of all ages and countries. The arrangements for the
women's place in a separate gallery or behind a partition of
lattice-work; the desk in the centre, where the reader, like Ezra in
ancient days, from his 'pulpit of wood,' may 'open the book in the
sight of all of people and read in the book of the law of God
distinctly, and give the sense, and cause them to understand the
reading'
(Nehemiah 8:4,8) the carefully closed ark on the side of the
building nearest to Jerusalem, for the preservation of the rolls or
manuscripts of the law; the seats all round the building, whence 'the
eyes of all them that are in the synagogue' may 'be fastened' on him
who speaks
(Luke 4:20) the 'chief seats'
(Matthew 23:6) which were
appropriated to the 'ruler' or 'rulers' of the synagogue, according
as its organization may have been more or less complete;", these were
features common to all the synagogues. Where perfected into a system,
the services of the synagogue, which were at the same hours as those
of the temple, consisted,
1. of prayer, which formed a kind of liturgy, there were in all
eighteen prayers;
2. the reading of the Scriptures in certain definite portions; and
3. the exposition of the portions read.
(Luke 4:15,22; Acts 13:14)
The synagogue was also sometimes used as a court of judicature,
in which the rulers presided
(Matthew 10:17; Mark 5:22; Luke 12:11; 21:12)
(Acts 13:15; 22:19) also as public schools. The establishment of
synagogues wherever the Jews were found in sufficient numbers
helped greatly to keep alive Israel's hope of the coming of the
Messiah, and to prepare the way for the spread of the gospel in
other lands. The worship of the Christian Church was afterwards
modelled after that of the synagogue. Christ and his disciples
frequently taught in the synagogues
(Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2; John 18:20)
(Acts 13:5,15,44; 14:1; 17:2-4,10,17; 18:4,26; 19:8) To be "put out
of the synagogue," a phrase used by John
(John 9:22; 12:42; 16:2)
means to be excommunicated.
