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  • Greek inscription, prohibiting the entrance of non-Jews to the holy areas of the Temple Mount. Istanbul Archaeology Museums from Wikimedia Common
    Greek inscription, prohibiting the entrance of non-Jews to the holy areas of the Temple Mount. Istanbul Archaeology Museums from Wikimedia Common
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Inscription Prohibiting Entry to the Temple Mount

No foreigner may enter within the balustrade around the sanctuary and the enclosure. Whoever is caught, on himself shall he put blame for the death which will ensue .

INSCRIPTION BANNING ENTRY TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT

Proceeding across this toward the second court of the temple, one found it surrounded by a stone balustrade three cubits high…at regular intervals stood slabs giving warning, some in Greek, others in Latin characters, of the law of purification, to wit that no foreigner was permitted to enter the holy place.

Josephus, Jewish War 5:193–194

In the picture: At the end of the nineteenth century, an inscription in Greek was found near the Temple Mount. The inscription barred entry to non-Jews to the more sacred areas of the compound. The prohibition is known from the description of the Temple by the historian of the period, Josephus Flavius.