1 Kings 6 21

1 Kings 6:21 kjv

So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

1 Kings 6:21 nkjv

So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold. He stretched gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

1 Kings 6:21 niv

Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold.

1 Kings 6:21 esv

And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

1 Kings 6:21 nlt

Then Solomon overlaid the rest of the Temple's interior with solid gold, and he made gold chains to protect the entrance to the Most Holy Place.

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 21 Meaning

This verse details the extensive and costly adornment of the inner parts of Solomon's Temple. It describes how the king covered the entire interior, specifically highlighting the Most Holy Place (inner sanctuary), with an abundant quantity of pure gold. The mention of stretching gold chains across the front of this innermost sanctuary emphasizes its special, set-apart status and adds to its divine splendor and the immense value placed on God's dwelling place.

1 Kings 6 21 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 details the meticulous construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. This verse, 6:21, specifically falls within the description of the interior design, particularly focusing on the lavishness of the most sacred space, the Debir or Holy of Holies. The overall context emphasizes that every detail of the Temple's construction was carried out according to the pattern previously given to David (1 Chr 28:11-19) and the divine instruction for the Tabernacle, but on an exponentially grander scale due to Solomon's immense wealth and desire to glorify God. Historically, in the ancient Near East, temples were often adorned with precious metals to honor deities. The Israelite Temple, however, was unique because it was dedicated to the unseen Yahweh, a single, incomparable God who transcended the temple itself (1 Ki 8:27). The extensive use of pure gold thus served not to contain God, but to symbolize His immeasurable glory, holiness, purity, and supreme worth, making it a powerful polemic against the often crude idols and more common materials used in surrounding pagan temples. The temple's splendor underscored the unique majesty of the God of Israel.

1 Kings 6 21 Word analysis

• So Solomon: King of Israel, David's son, known for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple (1 Ki 5-10). His role highlights divine choice and kingly devotion.
• overlaid: Hebrew "וַיְצַף" (vayitzef), Piel imperfect of צָפָה (tsaphah). This verb means "to overlay," "to cover," or "to plate thoroughly." It signifies a complete, lavish covering, not just a thin veneer, emphasizing the thoroughness and magnitude of the golden finish. This points to the opulence and high quality of the materials used.
• the inside of the house: Refers to the interior walls and possibly ceiling of both the Holy Place (Hekal) and especially the Most Holy Place (Debir), indicating that the gold was applied extensively. The "house" (בַּיִת - bayit) is specifically God's dwelling place.
• with pure gold: Hebrew "בּזָהָב סָגוּר" (bazahav sagur), meaning "with closed gold" or "fine gold." "Sagur" often refers to gold that has been purified or refined, indicating the highest quality. This underlines the value and sanctity of the materials designated for God's dwelling, consistent with specifications for the Tabernacle (Ex 25:11).
• and he stretched chains: Hebrew "וַיַּעֲבֵר שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת" (vayya'aveir sharshrōt), literally "he made to pass chains." "Sharshrōt" are linked chains, signifying both decorative elements and a structural or symbolic barrier. The act of "stretching" implies intentionality and precision.
• of gold: Reinforces the lavishness and consistent use of this most precious metal for every visible element of the sacred space.
• across the front: Refers to the entrance or boundary of the innermost chamber.
• of the inner sanctuary: Hebrew "דְּבִיר" (debīr), referring to the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred part of the Temple where the Ark of the Covenant resided. It was separated from the Holy Place by a veil and accessible only to the High Priest once a year. The chains emphasize its exclusive and sacred nature, either decorating the entrance or potentially serving a function related to the doors or veil (as some commentaries suggest, or purely decorative for marking the space).
• and he overlaid it with gold: This clause repeats the initial action, possibly for emphasis or to specify that the inner sanctuary itself (beyond just the walls and ceiling as "inside of the house") was particularly subject to this full golden covering, reiterating the sheer dedication of wealth and resources to the sacred heart of the Temple.

• "overlaid...with pure gold": This phrase highlights the exceptional dedication to divine worship. It contrasts with ordinary structures and signifies the absolute best, finest material given to God, symbolizing His worth and supreme glory, unlike idol temples often filled with lesser imitations or debased forms of divinity.
• "stretched chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary": This action not only signifies decoration but strongly delineates the most sacred space. The chains act as a boundary or emphasize the entrance to the Holiest of Holies. This points to the absolute holiness of God's dwelling, a place only permitted entry under specific conditions (Lev 16; Heb 9). It underscores the reverence and awe associated with God's immediate presence.

1 Kings 6 21 Bonus section

• Symbolism of Gold: In ancient cultures, gold represented royalty, divinity, purity, and indestructibility. Its prominent use in the Temple underscores these attributes for Yahweh, positioning Him as the supreme King and God, pure and eternal.
• Connection to Tabernacle: The specifications for overlaying the Tabernacle with gold (e.g., Ex 25-27) established a divine pattern for sacred space. Solomon's Temple followed and amplified this pattern, indicating continuity of divine instruction but with enhanced splendor suitable for a permanent structure in a time of national prosperity.
• Theophany: The elaborate golden adornment prepares the visual space for the anticipated theophany—the filling of the Temple with God's glory-cloud upon its dedication (1 Ki 8:10-11), an event echoing the Tabernacle's inauguration (Ex 40:34-35). The splendor reflects the One who dwells within.
• Audience Response: For the original Israelite audience, the sheer lavishness would have invoked profound awe, reverence, and pride in their God, reinforcing His superiority over the gods of surrounding nations who were worshipped in less magnificent, idol-filled structures.
• Architectural Significance: Beyond spiritual meaning, the design details highlight advanced craftsmanship and significant logistical efforts in sourcing, refining, and applying such vast quantities of pure gold.

1 Kings 6 21 Commentary

1 Kings 6:21 succinctly conveys the unparalleled magnificence of the innermost part of Solomon's Temple, the Most Holy Place. The pervasive application of pure gold was more than mere architectural decoration; it was a profound theological statement. It underscored the infinite value, absolute holiness, and unapproachable glory of the God of Israel. This immense wealth and painstaking detail were acts of worship, consecrating the space where God's presence was specifically promised to dwell. The "pure gold" symbolizes divine purity, incorruptibility, and kingly splendor. The golden chains stretching across the inner sanctuary further marked its sanctity, creating a distinct visual and symbolic barrier that highlighted the awesome, set-apart nature of God's immediate presence, which required the utmost reverence and separation. This lavish adornment prefigures the even greater glory of God in Christ and the heavenly temple (Heb 9; Rev 21).