1 Kings 6:19 kjv
And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Kings 6:19 nkjv
And he prepared the inner sanctuary inside the temple, to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there.
1 Kings 6:19 niv
He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there.
1 Kings 6:19 esv
The inner sanctuary he prepared in the innermost part of the house, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Kings 6:19 nlt
He prepared the inner sanctuary at the far end of the Temple, where the Ark of the LORD's Covenant would be placed.
1 Kings 6 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ark's Significance & History | ||
| Ex 25:10-22 | "They shall make an ark of acacia wood... " | Ark's construction by divine command. |
| Num 10:33-36 | "...the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them..." | Ark as guide and sign of God's presence. |
| Deut 10:1-5 | "...put the tablets into the ark which I had made." | Ark as repository for the Law. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | "...let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord..." | Ark captured and power demonstrated. |
| 1 Sam 5:1-5 | "...the ark of God into the house of Dagon..." | Ark's supremacy over pagan gods. |
| 2 Sam 6:1-17 | "And David brought the ark of God..." | Ark's journey to Jerusalem. |
| Heb 9:4 | "behind the second curtain was a tent called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant..." | Ark's contents and placement in the Tabernacle. |
| Holy of Holies / Dwelling Place | ||
| Ex 26:33-34 | "...put the veil...it shall separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place." | Tabernacle's design separating the holy spaces. |
| Lev 16:2 | "...tell Aaron your brother not to come at all times into the Holy Place..." | Restrictions on entering the Holy of Holies. |
| Psa 27:4 | "...that I may dwell in the house of the Lord..." | Desire for God's presence. |
| Psa 68:5 | "A father of the fatherless and a protector of widows is God in His holy habitation." | God's character linked to His holy dwelling. |
| Isa 66:1 | "Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool; what kind of house will you build for Me...'" | God's ultimate transcendence. |
| Rev 11:19 | "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen..." | Heavenly Temple and Ark revealed. |
| Temple's Purpose & Fulfillment | ||
| Deut 12:5 | "...the place that the Lord your God will choose..." | God's choice of a unique dwelling place. |
| 1 Kin 8:10-11 | "...the glory of the Lord filled the house..." | God's immediate indwelling in the Temple. |
| 1 Kin 9:3 | "I have consecrated this house...My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually." | God's perpetual watchfulness over the Temple. |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." | Christ as God's ultimate dwelling among humanity. |
| John 2:19-21 | "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up... He was speaking about the temple of His body." | Jesus as the true Temple. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as the dwelling of the Holy Spirit. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone...a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." | The Church as a spiritual Temple for God. |
| Covenant Significance | ||
| Gen 9:13 | "...My bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant..." | Early covenant sign. |
| Ex 19:5-6 | "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession..." | The Mosaic Covenant established. |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant..." | Prophecy of the New Covenant. |
| Heb 8:6-13 | "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old..." | Christ as mediator of a better covenant. |
1 Kings 6 verses
1 Kings 6 19 Meaning
This verse details the construction and purpose of the Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred chamber of Solomon's Temple. It specifically states that this "inner sanctuary" was precisely prepared within the main Temple structure to house the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the very presence and covenant of the Lord among His people.
1 Kings 6 19 Context
1 Kings chapter 6 intricately details the construction of Solomon's magnificent Temple. This verse is situated within the extensive description of the Temple's interior. After establishing the general dimensions and materials (vv. 1-10), God Himself interjects (vv. 11-13) with a promise of His continued presence if Solomon walks in obedience, affirming the spiritual significance overriding the physical structure. The narrative then returns to the detailed construction, including the inner walls, floor, and other elements (vv. 14-18). Verse 19 then zeros in on the ultimate sacred purpose of the entire edifice: the specific preparation of the most hallowed innermost chamber to receive the Ark. This highlights that the Temple, despite its grandeur, existed primarily as a dwelling for the Lord's tangible presence among His people, marked by the Ark of the Covenant, transitioning from the nomadic tabernacle to a permanent house of worship.
1 Kings 6 19 Word analysis
- And he prepared (וַיָּפֶן - wayyāp̄en): From the verb פָּנָה (panah), which can mean "to turn," "to face," or "to arrange/prepare." In this context, it signifies intentionality, care, and readiness. Solomon didn't merely build; he "arranged" or "fitted out" this most sacred space for its precise purpose. It denotes deliberate action and design.
- the inner sanctuary (דְּבִיר - dĕḇîr): This unique Hebrew term specifically refers to the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies in Solomon's Temple. It is distinct from the general "holy place" (hekal). Scholars connect it to a root meaning "to speak" (hence "oracle"), emphasizing that it was the place where God's voice might be heard (cf. Ex 25:22). It could also imply a "back" or "innermost" room, reinforcing its seclusion and supreme holiness. This space was windowless, representing profound separation and awe.
- within the house (בְּתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת - bəṯôḵ habbayiṯ): "The house" refers to the larger Temple structure itself. This phrase clarifies that the "inner sanctuary" was not a separate building, but an integral, albeit distinct, part of the main Temple edifice. It specifies the location within the grand design.
- to set there (לָתֶת שָׁם - lāṯeṯ šām): This phrase explicitly states the ultimate purpose and destination for which the debīr was designed. It translates as "to place there" or "to put there," emphasizing the deliberate, permanent placement of the Ark in its designated spot.
- the ark of the covenant of the Lord (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה - ʾărôn bərîṯ YHWH): This is the Ark of the Covenant, the preeminent sacred object of Israel. Its full title here reinforces its divine origin and significance: "Ark" (ʾārôn) as a container; "covenant" (bərîṯ) emphasizing the Law tablets it held and the bond between God and Israel; and "the Lord" (YHWH) confirming God's identity as the one true God to whom the Ark points. It was the earthly throne and footstool of God, signifying His real, yet veiled, presence among His people.
- "the inner sanctuary within the house": This phrase underlines the architectural and theological distinctiveness of the Holy of Holies. It was not merely a room but a specifically consecrated space set apart, demonstrating the graduated levels of holiness within God's dwelling, with the innermost being the holiest. Its deliberate obscurity and lack of natural light conveyed separation from the ordinary world and emphasized its unique sacredness as the dwelling place of a transcendent God.
- "to set there the ark of the covenant of the Lord": This entire phrase encapsulates the primary theological function of the Temple. The magnificent structure was built for one paramount reason: to provide a settled and appropriate resting place for the Ark, which was the symbol of God's direct presence, His faithful covenant, and His sovereign rule over Israel. This highlights the centrality of God's immanence as the core purpose of all temple worship.
1 Kings 6 19 Bonus section
- The debīr was designed to be perfectly dark, devoid of any natural light. This symbolized the ineffable and unapproachable nature of God's glory, visible only to those specially prepared and at appointed times, fostering an environment of reverent awe.
- The Ark itself was flanked by cherubim with outstretched wings, forming a canopy for God's presence. This detail, specified since the Tabernacle (Ex 25:20), further indicated that the space was not empty but guarded by celestial beings, reinforcing the profound sanctity of God's throne room.
- The transition of the Ark from the nomadic Tabernacle to a fixed dwelling within a permanent Temple building marked a significant shift in Israel's theological and national identity. It reflected a new era of stability and implied God's lasting commitment to His people in their land, establishing Jerusalem as the central place of worship.
1 Kings 6 19 Commentary
1 Kings 6:19 succinctly reveals the raison d'être of Solomon's grand Temple: to be a fitting, permanent abode for the Ark of the Covenant, the visible emblem of God's presence and His covenantal relationship with Israel. The precise preparation of the debīr, the Holy of Holies, underscored its unparalleled sanctity and exclusive purpose. This space, designed in profound darkness and accessible only by the high priest once a year, amplified the holiness and majesty of God while providing a tangible focal point for national worship. It represented God's commitment to dwelling among His people, fulfilling earlier promises and establishing a stable center for their spiritual life. This dwelling, though physical, foreshadowed the ultimate indwelling of God in humanity through Jesus Christ and, subsequently, in believers by the Holy Spirit, transcending stone temples to create a spiritual house.