1 Kings 6:10 kjv
And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
1 Kings 6:10 nkjv
And he built side chambers against the entire temple, each five cubits high; they were attached to the temple with cedar beams.
1 Kings 6:10 niv
And he built the side rooms all along the temple. The height of each was five cubits, and they were attached to the temple by beams of cedar.
1 Kings 6:10 esv
He built the structure against the whole house, five cubits high, and it was joined to the house with timbers of cedar.
1 Kings 6:10 nlt
As already stated, he built a complex of rooms along the sides of the building, attached to the Temple walls by cedar timbers. Each story of the complex was 7 1?2 feet high.
1 Kings 6 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:9 | "According to all that I show you... so shall you make it." | God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle/Temple. |
| 1 Kgs 6:4 | "And for the house he made windows with recessed frames." | Detail-oriented temple construction. |
| 1 Kgs 6:6 | "The lowest story was five cubits wide... for the house had offsets..." | Description of the three-tiered side chambers. |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | "No hammer or chisel... was heard... while it was being built." | Meticulous and sacred nature of temple construction. |
| 1 Kgs 6:9 | "So he built the house and finished it; and he covered the house..." | Overall completion of the Temple's main structure. |
| 1 Kgs 7:12 | "In the great court were three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams." | Use of cedar and stone in surrounding structures. |
| 1 Kgs 5:6 | "Cut for me cedars from Lebanon..." | Procurement of high-quality cedar for the Temple. |
| 2 Chr 3:9 | "The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold." | Use of precious metals even in smaller structural elements. |
| Ezek 41:5-7 | "There was a surrounding corridor, three stories high." | Detailed description of Temple side chambers (post-exilic vision, but similar concept). |
| Ezek 45:5 | "Twenty chambers for the priests." | Function of temple chambers for clergy. |
| Ezra 8:29 | "These were chambers for the instruments, the silver, and the gold." | Use of temple chambers for storage of holy things. |
| Neh 10:38 | "They shall bring the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God..." | Chambers for tithes and provisions. |
| Neh 13:5 | "A great chamber where they had stored the grain offering, the frankincense" | Chambers for storing temple provisions. |
| Psa 132:13-14 | "For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place." | God's desire for a physical dwelling. |
| Isa 60:13 | "The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary..." | Use of various trees, including cedar (implied), for God's sanctuary. |
| Haggai 2:7 | "I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts." | God's ultimate filling of His temple, regardless of material size. |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned..." | Earthly Temple reflecting heavenly reality. |
| Heb 9:1-2 | "For a tent was prepared, the first section... the Holy Place." | The detailed structure of the Tabernacle as a type. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as the New Testament spiritual temple. |
| Eph 2:20-22 | "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets... a holy temple in the Lord." | Believers forming a spiritual structure built on Christ. |
| Rev 21:22 | "I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb." | The ultimate dwelling place, where a physical temple is no longer needed. |
| 2 Tim 2:20 | "In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay..." | Analogy of a large house with various useful elements, akin to a detailed temple. |
1 Kings 6 verses
1 Kings 6 10 Meaning
1 Kings 6:10 details a specific architectural feature of the Solomonic Temple: the side chambers built around its exterior. These chambers were essential ancillary structures, specifically described as being five cubits high at their base, and securely attached to the main temple building using high-quality cedar timbers. This verse emphasizes the meticulous construction, the functional aspects of the Temple's design, and the use of precious materials even for supporting areas. It reflects a design that provided necessary spaces for priests, storage of sacred items, and provisions, integrating them without compromising the sanctity and structural integrity of the main sanctuary.
1 Kings 6 10 Context
First Kings Chapter 6 is dedicated to the precise and elaborate construction of Solomon's Temple, marking a pivotal moment in Israelite history—the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for God's Name. The chapter opens by specifying the year construction began and then delves into the architectural dimensions and materials used for the main sanctuary. Verses 5-10 particularly describe the structure of the side chambers (יְצֻעוֹת – yĕtsu‘ôṯ), which surrounded the main temple structure on three sides. These were not just ornamental but served vital functions, providing storage and auxiliary spaces. Verse 10 specifically states how these chambers, at their foundational height of five cubits, were securely "joined" to the Temple's sacred walls using durable cedar, highlighting both structural integrity and the preciousness of even these auxiliary parts in the overall design of the sacred building. This meticulous detail underlines the importance of God's dwelling place, built according to specific divine and royal plans.
1 Kings 6 10 Word analysis
- He built (וַיִּבֶן - vayyíven): This verb signifies an act of deliberate construction. It attributes the action to Solomon, the human agent chosen by God for this monumental task. It implies purposeful design and execution.
- the side chambers (אֶת־הַיְּצֻעוֹת - 'et-hayyeṣu'ot): Refers to ancillary structures, likely storerooms or chambers for temple priests. The root yaṣa' means "to spread out" or "stretch out," indicating extensions around the main house. These were integral parts of the temple complex, necessary for its functional operation.
- against the whole house (אֶל־כָּל־הַבַּיִת - 'el-kol-habbáyit): Implies attachment to the entire main temple structure. This wasn't a separate building, but an integrated component that surrounded and supported the primary sanctuary. This speaks to the comprehensive nature of the temple's architectural design.
- five cubits high (חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת קוֹמָתָהּ - ḥamesh 'ammot qomatah): Specifies the height of the lowest level of the side chambers. A cubit (אַמָּה - 'ammah) was an ancient unit of length, approximately 18 inches (45 cm), making five cubits about 7.5 feet (2.25 meters). This detail underscores the precise adherence to architectural plans given for the Temple.
- and they were joined to the house (וַיֹּאֲחֹז אֹתֹו אֶל־הַבָּיִת - vayyo'ăḥoz 'oto 'el-habbayit): The verb "joined" (אָחַז - 'āḥaz) means "to grasp," "seize," or "take hold of." This denotes a secure, integral attachment, suggesting they "gripped" or "secured themselves" to the temple wall, rather than just standing alongside. This method of attachment was designed so as not to penetrate or defile the sacred inner wall of the Temple, possibly by resting on ledges or "offsets" (mentioned in v. 6) built into the wall. This speaks to architectural ingenuity and reverence for the main structure.
- with timbers of cedar (בְּעֲצֵי אֲרָזִים - bə'ăṣê 'ărazim): Cedar (אֶרֶז - 'erez) from Lebanon was the most esteemed wood in the ancient Near East, prized for its durability, resistance to decay and insects, and aromatic quality. Its use here emphasizes the grandeur, permanence, and immense resources dedicated to the entire Temple complex, even its auxiliary components. This material selection underscores the unparalleled quality intended for God's dwelling place.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- He built the side chambers against the whole house: This phrase highlights Solomon's active role as the builder and clarifies that the chambers were not stand-alone but functionally and physically connected to the entire main structure, encompassing it on multiple sides (implied by previous verses). This reflects a comprehensive design for the entire complex dedicated to worship.
- five cubits high; and they were joined to the house with timbers of cedar: This section details both the precise dimensions of the initial level of the side chambers and the durable, costly materials used for their secure attachment. The method of "joining" implies advanced architectural techniques that preserved the integrity of the holy structure while ensuring robust support for the surrounding chambers, emphasizing both sanctity and craftsmanship.
1 Kings 6 10 Bonus section
The architectural concept of side chambers found in 1 Kings and Ezekiel visions is reflective of typical temple layouts in the ancient Near East, where surrounding rooms often served practical purposes related to cultic activities, storage of offerings, and accommodation for temple personnel. The use of tiered chambers, where each subsequent story was wider than the one below, was ingeniously designed to achieve structural integrity without penetrating the sacred interior walls. This method of building allowed for expansion and load distribution. The contrast of the silence in the main temple construction (no hammer, chisel heard, 1 Kgs 6:7) with the practical methods needed for attaching the chambers (inferred here by "timbers joined") might subtly differentiate the very core sacred space from its necessary supporting infrastructure, all under God's careful blueprint. The Cedar from Lebanon was a crucial trade good, showcasing Solomon's vast international network and prosperity, signifying the abundant blessings of the Lord upon Israel at this time.
1 Kings 6 10 Commentary
1 Kings 6:10 provides specific architectural detail regarding the ancillary structures of Solomon's Temple, underscoring the meticulous planning and execution that characterized its construction. The side chambers, described as five cubits high at their base, were not mere afterthoughts but essential components for the functioning of the temple complex, designed for storage and priestly use. The precise height and method of attachment highlight the adherence to detailed plans. The term "joined to the house" implies a secure yet non-intrusive connection to the main walls, likely by resting on carefully prepared ledges or rebates, demonstrating advanced construction knowledge and reverence for the sanctity of the primary edifice. The exclusive use of cedar timbers signifies not only the wealth and available resources of Solomon's kingdom but also the intentional dedication of the highest quality materials to God's dwelling place, reflecting a commitment to excellence even in the subsidiary parts of the sanctuary. This verse contributes to the overall narrative of a divinely ordered, exceptionally built structure intended as a magnificent and functional house for God's Name.