1 Kings 6 4

1 Kings 6:4 kjv

And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.

1 Kings 6:4 nkjv

And he made for the house windows with beveled frames.

1 Kings 6:4 niv

He made narrow windows high up in the temple walls.

1 Kings 6:4 esv

And he made for the house windows with recessed frames.

1 Kings 6:4 nlt

Solomon also made narrow recessed windows throughout the Temple.

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 4 Meaning

First Kings 6:4 describes a specific architectural feature of Solomon's Temple: "And for the house he made windows of narrowed lights." This verse details the type of windows designed for the temple structure, emphasizing their unique construction to allow light into the edifice. The phrasing suggests a design that was both functional for illumination and possibly symbolic, reflecting the temple's sacred nature and perhaps even security considerations.

1 Kings 6 4 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 details the construction of Solomon's Temple, marking a pivotal moment in Israelite history. After years of the Ark of the Covenant residing in a tent (the Tabernacle), Solomon, fulfilling his father David's desire, constructs a permanent and magnificent dwelling for the Lord in Jerusalem. This chapter meticulously outlines the temple's dimensions, materials, and various architectural features, underscoring its precise and divine design. Verse 4 fits within this comprehensive description, specifying a particular element of the temple's exterior—the "windows of narrowed lights." This particular detail emphasizes that the temple, while a place of sacred mystery, was also functionally designed to receive natural light into its outer chambers. Historically, this monumental undertaking symbolized God's faithful presence among His people, the nation's prosperity under Solomon's reign, and a central place of worship to distinguish the true God from surrounding pagan deities whose temples often lacked such sophisticated internal lighting or were dedicated to sun-worship without reflecting the one true light.

1 Kings 6 4 Word analysis

• And for the house: Refers to the main structure of the Temple, the bayith (בַּיִת), distinct from the side chambers or porch. This signifies a primary feature of the edifice itself.
• he made: Indicates Solomon's direct supervision and the craftsmanship involved in the divine design. This was not a general instruction but a specific act of construction.
• windows: Hebrew chalonot (חַלּוֹנ֖וֹת). This is the standard biblical word for windows, indicating openings for light or ventilation. Their presence distinguishes the Temple from the earlier Tabernacle, which relied on artificial light inside its veiled chambers.
• of narrowed lights: The original Hebrew phrase is shequfim atumim (שְׁקֻפִ֖ים אֲטוּמִֽים). This is a challenging phrase with scholarly debate regarding its precise meaning.
  • shequfim (שְׁקֻפִ֖ים): Derived from the root shaqaf, meaning "to look out," "to project," or "to lean over." In architectural context, it can refer to recessed, splayed, or latticed openings. The predominant interpretation among scholars and archeologists suggests "splayed" or "recessed and wide within," meaning the window openings were narrower on the outside wall face and gradually broadened inward, creating a funnel-like shape. This design maximized the intake of light into the building's interior while presenting a narrower opening from the outside, potentially for defense, security, or to restrict exterior viewing.
  • atumim (אֲטוּמִֽים): From the root atam, meaning "to close," "to stop up," or "to shut." When used with windows, it usually means "narrow" or "fixed/sealed." In conjunction with shequfim, it strengthens the idea of limited outward appearance but internal effectiveness for light. It could also suggest unopenable windows, emphasizing their fixed role solely for light and not for ventilation.
  • Combined Meaning: "Windows splayed inward" or "recessed windows with narrowed external openings." This interpretation implies an innovative design to ensure maximum illumination within the temple without creating large, vulnerable openings to the outside world, blending practical light intake with security or symbolic focus on inward rather than outward gaze. It underscores the precision and purposefulness of the temple's architecture, reflecting a wisdom inspired by God. The internal illumination speaks to God's desire for His house to be filled with light, symbolically linked to truth and revelation, though the Most Holy Place remained in sacred darkness or illuminated only by the Ark's radiant glory or a divine cloud.

1 Kings 6 4 Bonus section

The sophisticated "splayed" window design (narrower on the outside, wider on the inside) seen in 1 Kings 6:4 is a known ancient architectural feature. This design, often called a "splayed embrasure," efficiently distributed light into a space from a smaller external opening. This could have several practical advantages in addition to simply maximizing light: it provided structural stability in thick walls, enhanced privacy by making it difficult to look into the building from outside, and offered a degree of defense, making it harder for projectiles or intruders to enter. The selection of this specific window type reflects not only architectural skill but potentially a divine intention for a controlled, reverent atmosphere within the house of God, balancing the need for light with security and sanctity. The fact that the Temple utilized natural light in its Holy Place—unlike the Most Holy Place which was dark or supernaturally lit—showcases a progression from the Tabernacle's completely veiled interior, moving towards a more enduring and architecturally advanced structure for God's permanent dwelling.

1 Kings 6 4 Commentary

1 Kings 6:4, though brief, provides insight into the sophisticated design of Solomon's Temple, a structure meticulously planned to honor God. The "windows of narrowed lights" (splayed or recessed inward) were not merely decorative but functional, ensuring the Temple's interior—specifically its Holy Place, where priestly service occurred—was sufficiently illuminated by natural light. This design suggests practicality, possibly security (narrow openings reduce vulnerability), and a symbolic emphasis on the interior's sacred space, keeping the focus inward towards the divine presence. Unlike pagan temples which might be entirely dark or rely on dramatic lighting, the Lord's Temple received natural light through a carefully engineered system, reflecting an orderly and wise divine plan that permeates every detail of His dwelling place. This also stands in contrast to the Tabernacle, which, being a tent, required veils and artificial light sources, whereas the solid structure of the Temple introduced permanent windows for a distinct lighting scheme in its outer holy areas.