1 Kings 6 6

1 Kings 6:6 kjv

The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

1 Kings 6:6 nkjv

The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide; for he made narrow ledges around the outside of the temple, so that the support beams would not be fastened into the walls of the temple.

1 Kings 6:6 niv

The lowest floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits and the third floor seven. He made offset ledges around the outside of the temple so that nothing would be inserted into the temple walls.

1 Kings 6:6 esv

The lowest story was five cubits broad, the middle one was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad. For around the outside of the house he made offsets on the wall in order that the supporting beams should not be inserted into the walls of the house.

1 Kings 6:6 nlt

The complex was three stories high, the bottom floor being 7 1?2 feet wide, the second floor 9 feet wide, and the top floor 10 1?2 feet wide. The rooms were connected to the walls of the Temple by beams resting on ledges built out from the wall. So the beams were not inserted into the walls themselves.

1 Kings 6 verses

1 Kings 6 6 Meaning

This verse describes a crucial architectural detail of Solomon's Temple, specifically the design of the surrounding side chambers. It explains that the widths of these chambers increased with each successive story (five cubits at the bottom, six in the middle, and seven at the top). This graduated design was intentional: it created recesses or ledges on the exterior of the main Temple wall. These ledges allowed for the support beams of the surrounding chambers to rest without being inserted directly into, and thereby structurally compromising or spiritually defiling, the sacred walls of the central sanctuary itself. The ingenuity reflects a blend of practical engineering and profound reverence for the holy structure dedicated to God.

1 Kings 6 6 Context

1 Kings chapter 6 provides a meticulous and detailed account of the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. This verse (6:6) fits within a specific description of the side chambers (verse 5) that were built around the main sanctuary. The Temple was not merely a large building but a sacred dwelling place for the Name of the Lord (1 Kgs 5:3). Every dimension, material, and design feature, including these specific setbacks, carried theological significance, emphasizing its holiness and unique purpose. Historically, this Temple represented the zenith of Israelite wealth, power, and religious centrality under Solomon, succeeding the mobile Tabernacle. The construction details underscore the divine origin of the plan, as implicitly passed down from God (1 Chr 28:11-12) and executed with the highest reverence.

1 Kings 6 6 Word analysis

• The lowest story: Hebrew: יַצִּ֛יעַ תַּחְתֹּנָ֥ה (yatsia tach-to-NAH). Yatsia refers to a couch, bed, or layer; here, a story or tier of a building. Tach-to-nah means lowest or underneath. It refers to the ground level or first floor of the surrounding structure. This emphasizes a multi-story building.
• was five cubits wide: Hebrew: חָמֵשׁ֩ בָּֽאַמָּ֨ה רָחְבָּ֜הּ (cha-mes ba-am-MAH roch-BAH). Chamesh means five. Ammâh (cubit) was a common unit of ancient measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm. This highlights the precise, divinely-guided measurements.
• the middle one six cubits wide: Hebrew: וְהַתִּֽיכֹנָ֤ה שֵׁשׁ֙ בָּֽאַמָּ֣ה רָחְבָּ֔הּ (ve-hat-tich-on-NAH shesh ba-am-MAH roch-BAH). Ha-tich-o-nah means the middle one. Shesh means six. This progression (5, 6, 7 cubits) is key to understanding the architectural design and purpose.
• and the third seven cubits wide: Hebrew: וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ שֶׁ֣בַע בָּֽאַמָּ֖ה רָחְבָּ֑הּ (ve-hash-she-li-sheet she-VA ba-am-MAH roch-BAH). Ha-she-li-sheet means the third one. Sheva means seven. The increasing width with each story is foundational to the "setback" mechanism.
• for he provided setbacks around the temple: Hebrew: כִּ֡י מִגְרָעוֹת֩ עָשָׂ֨ה לַבַּ֜יִת סָבִ֗יב (ki mig-ra-OT ah-SAH la-BAY-it sa-VIV). Miḡrāôt(setbacks/rebates/recessions) is a technical term indicating a ledged construction.Ah-sahmeansmadeorprovided.La-bayitrefers tothe houseorthe temple.Sa-vivmeansaround`. This phrase is the core explanation for the varying widths: it allowed ledges for support. This architectural design was sophisticated for its time, likely reflecting best practices combined with divine wisdom.
• so that the supporting beams would not be inserted into the walls of the temple: Hebrew: לְבִלְתִּי֙ אֲחֹ֣ז בְּקִירֹ֣ת הַבָּ֑יִת (le-vil-ti ach-OZ be-kee-ROT ha-BAY-it). Le-vil-ti means so that not. Ach-oz means to take hold, to grasp, to hold fast, here to insert or to anchor. Ki-rot refers to walls. This last part is paramount: the walls of the temple were supremely sacred and not to be structurally compromised by common beam insertions. The purpose was to preserve the integrity and sanctity of the inner sanctuary. This demonstrates an understanding of the temple not just as a building, but as holy space that must be treated with unique reverence and kept free from "intrusion" of merely practical elements into its core structure.

1 Kings 6 6 Bonus Section

The deliberate choice not to insert beams into the main walls highlights a theological principle of non-defilement and structural independence for the Holy place. This echoes the concept of terumah (contributions for sacred purposes) or qodesh (holiness), where distinctions are paramount. Such architectural decisions can be seen as an external manifestation of an internal theology: God's presence, while central, does not necessarily merge with the surrounding human structures or conveniences. The progressive widening of the stories could also subtly convey a sense of ascending knowledge or broadening access from the mundane to the sacred, or simply an elegant solution for stability that aligns with holiness.

1 Kings 6 6 Commentary

1 Kings 6:6 elucidates the ingenious and theologically significant design of Solomon's Temple. The graduated widths of the side chambers — five, six, and seven cubits respectively — were not arbitrary but served a specific architectural and theological purpose. These varying widths created recessed ledges, or "setbacks," around the main structure. On these ledges, the horizontal beams of the side chambers could rest securely without needing to be driven into, or otherwise penetrate, the sacred walls of the temple. This design reflects a deep reverence for the sanctuary, signifying that the dwelling place of God's Name was to remain inviolate, structurally independent, and holy. The meticulousness in these details emphasizes God's precision and the profound respect required in all matters pertaining to His worship and presence. This detailed account sets a standard for ordered worship and the sanctity of space dedicated to God, anticipating the ultimate holiness found in Christ.