1 Kings 6 38

1 Kings 6:38 kjv

And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

1 Kings 6:38 nkjv

And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.

1 Kings 6:38 niv

In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.

1 Kings 6:38 esv

And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it.

1 Kings 6:38 nlt

The entire building was completed in every detail by midautumn, in the month of Bul, during the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple.

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 38 Meaning

This verse signifies the precise completion of Solomon's Temple, noting that it was finished in the eleventh year of his reign, during the eighth month, called Bul. It emphasizes that the building was entirely finished "throughout all its parts" and "according to all its fashion," meaning it perfectly adhered to the design specifications. The verse also succinctly states that the construction phase of this monumental project lasted seven years.

1 Kings 6 38 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 details the extensive architectural specifications and construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. Verse 38 specifically marks the culmination of this monumental building project, following intricate descriptions of the Temple's dimensions, materials (cedar, olive wood, gold, stone), and internal furnishings. The verse transitions from the building's physical completion to the next stage of its use, leading into chapter 7, which describes Solomon's personal building projects (his palace) and the production of the Temple furnishings, followed by the dedication of the Temple in chapter 8. Historically, this event signifies a pivotal moment in ancient Israelite history, establishing a permanent, central place of worship for the Lord, superseding the portable Tabernacle. It underscored God's presence among His people and the stability of the Davidic dynasty under Solomon's reign, marking a golden era of peace and prosperity.

1 Kings 6 38 Word analysis

• And in the eleventh year: This precisely dates the completion relative to the beginning of Solomon's reign. The construction commenced in the fourth year of Solomon's reign (1 Kgs 6:1), establishing a clear seven-year period for the building.
• in the month Bul: 'Bul' (בֻּל - Bul) is an ancient Canaanite-Phoenician name for the eighth month of the year in the ancient Israelite calendar. This month corresponds to Cheshvan (or Marcheshvan) in the later Jewish calendar (approximately October/November). Its mention highlights the precise historical record-keeping and shows an indigenous regional calendrical system in use. Other pre-exilic months with Canaanite names are also noted in Kings (e.g., Ziv - second month, Ethanim - seventh month).
• which is the eighth month: This clarification helps the reader identify 'Bul' with its numerical position, indicating an awareness that the specific name might not be universally familiar or might be losing common usage by the time the text was compiled.
• was the house finished: The Hebrew word for 'finished' is כָּלָה (kālāh), meaning "to complete, to bring to an end, to be completed." It implies thoroughness and finality, indicating no loose ends or incomplete tasks remained.
• throughout all its parts: The phrase לְכָל־דְּבָרָיו (lĕḵol-dĕḇārāyw) literally translates to "to all its words/matters/things." This denotes meticulous attention to every single detail, component, and aspect of the building, ensuring every part was present and correctly fitted.
• and according to all its fashion: The phrase וּלְכָל־מִשְׁפָּטָיו (ūlĕḵol-mishpāṭāyw) translates as "and according to all its judgments/ordinances/regulations/patterns." This signifies that the construction rigidly followed the specific design, blueprint, or prescribed plan. It implies a divinely revealed or meticulously drafted set of architectural specifications that were perfectly adhered to, echoing the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle in Exodus. This adherence highlights the importance of divine direction in sacred tasks.
• So was he seven years in building it: The mention of "seven years" is numerically significant in biblical contexts, often symbolizing completeness, perfection, or divine order. This period of dedicated labor signifies the magnitude of the project and the king's devotion to God's dwelling place. The brevity of the construction period for such a grand structure underscores the scale of Solomon's resources and organization. This is a shorter period than the 13 years Solomon took to build his own palace (1 Kgs 7:1), subtly emphasizing the priority and divine blessing on the Temple project.

1 Kings 6 38 Bonus section

The efficiency of completing such a magnificent structure as Solomon's Temple in just seven years speaks volumes about the administrative capacity, immense resources, skilled craftsmanship, and sheer determination mobilized under King Solomon's direction. It is a testament to the organizational power of a unified Israel and the wealth accumulated during this period of peace. The comparison with the thirteen years taken for Solomon to build his own palace (1 Kgs 7:1) implies that the Temple was given distinct priority, emphasizing the preeminence of God's house over the king's. The Temple, though physical, served as a crucial step in God's redemptive plan, symbolizing His covenant presence and setting the stage for future prophetic messages about the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity. Its meticulous construction and adherence to a "fashion" also hint at divine order and the principle of doing all things "decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:40) in service to God.

1 Kings 6 38 Commentary

1 Kings 6:38 provides the conclusive statement on the completion of Solomon's Temple, marking the culmination of a seven-year endeavor dedicated to building the central place of worship for ancient Israel. The meticulous detailing of the timing—the eleventh year of Solomon's reign, the eighth month (Bul)—underscores the historical precision and importance attributed to this event. The affirmation that the "house was finished throughout all its parts, and according to all its fashion" highlights not just completion, but perfect adherence to the detailed specifications, whether derived from a divine blueprint, like the Tabernacle's, or carefully prepared royal architectural plans. This reflects the reverence and care invested in a structure intended to be the dwelling place for God's presence among His people. The period of "seven years" is biblically symbolic, representing perfection and divine order, aligning with the sacred nature of the building. The Temple's completion initiated a new era for Israel, solidifying their religious identity and the centralization of their worship. Spiritually, this completion foreshadows Christ's finished work, establishing the spiritual Temple composed of believers, where God truly dwells by His Spirit, fulfilling and surpassing the significance of any physical structure.