Following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in the 6th century BCE, some Judean refugees traveled south and, in what may be called an “exodus in reverse,” settled on Elephantine. They maintained their own temple (also see House of Yahweh), in which sacrifices were offered, evincing polytheistic beliefs, which functioned alongside that of Khnum. The temple was destroyed in 410 BC at the instigation of the priests of Khnum.

The House of YHWH (or "House of Yahweh", Hebrew בית יהוה) is a phrase found in the Hebrew Bible and on at least one inscription, usually referring to a temple.

Most modern religious scholars focus primarily upon Solomon's Temple. However, there have been two other structures identified as a 'House of Yahweh'. One is located in Elephantine Egypt. The other structure suggested as a House of Yahweh is at Tel Arad.