In this thoroughly provocative book, the late Eugene Seaich made a detailed study of the intractable mystery of the Jerusalem temple. Using historical sources and ingenious detective work, Seaich suggested that the cherubim in Solomon’s temple were portrayed in a copulatory embrace. Aware that this thesis was not entirely novel, the author built a substantial case in its favor and traced the influence of the atonement (at-one-ment) theology behind the concept through the periods of Israel’s wisdom school, into the New Testament and Gnostic sources, up through the Middle Ages. Seaich marshaled new evidence for his controversial interpretation at every stage and has offered his readers influential and profound conclusions to ponder when reflecting on the pregnant silence of Scripture regarding the secret places of the temple in Jerusalem.

"Seaich explores the world of the original temple in Jerusalem, showing how human beings became divine through spiritual union with God, a sacred marriage. He draws first on basic biblical and early Jewish materials, and then develops his theory with a vast range of supporting material ranging from the Ancient Near East to Kabbalah to mediaeval Christian mystics. He proposes new ways of reading familiar texts which have important implications for understanding the history of Christian theology and liturgy and the traditions underlying Islam. This book illuminates Marian studies, Wisdom studies, Jewish studies, and the intellectual heritage of mediaeval Europe; and it challenges the more violent theories of atonement and penal substitution. It is a feast of well digested learning that will be an essential work of reference for specialists, as well as a fascinating exploration for general readers." — Margaret Barker

"[An] important scholarly contribution to the history of Judaism, Christianity, and other religions." — Raphael Patai

Eugene Seaich (1925-2006) earned his Ph.D. in Musicology and German Literature at the University of Utah. In addition to the present book, he was the author of three other books in the area of Religious Studies.