1 Kings 6:8 kjv
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.
1 Kings 6:8 nkjv
The doorway for the middle story was on the right side of the temple. They went up by stairs to the middle story, and from the middle to the third.
1 Kings 6:8 niv
The entrance to the lowest floor was on the south side of the temple; a stairway led up to the middle level and from there to the third.
1 Kings 6:8 esv
The entrance for the lowest story was on the south side of the house, and one went up by stairs to the middle story, and from the middle story to the third.
1 Kings 6:8 nlt
The entrance to the bottom floor was on the south side of the Temple. There were winding stairs going up to the second floor, and another flight of stairs between the second and third floors.
1 Kings 6 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 5:17-18 | ...they laid foundation stones, large stones, hewn stones... builders of Solomon and Hiram and the Giblites did hew... | Building materials prepared. |
| 1 Kgs 6:4 | And for the house he made windows with recessed frames. | Description of Temple features. |
| 1 Kgs 6:5-6 | Against the wall of the house he built side chambers... rooms below... | Introduction to side chambers (source of verse's focus). |
| 1 Kgs 6:10 | He built the stories against the entire house, five cubits high... rooms. | Further details on chamber structure. |
| Exo 26:15-30 | ...Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle... | Detailed structural instructions for Tabernacle (precedent). |
| Exo 27:9-19 | Make a court for the tabernacle... lengths of its sides... | Specifics for surrounding structures (similar concept). |
| Num 10:1-10 | Make two trumpets of hammered silver... sound for assemble and breaking camp. | Divinely ordained order and specific tools/procedures. |
| 1 Chr 28:11-12 | David gave Solomon the plan... for the chambers... the storehouses. | Divine origin of Temple blueprint given to David. |
| 1 Chr 28:13 | Also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites... for all work. | Instructions for temple administration & service. |
| 2 Chr 3:9 | ...he overlaid them with gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold... | Gold ornamentation extending to chambers. |
| 2 Chr 31:11 | He commanded them to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD... for tithes. | Chambers for storage of sacred goods/offerings. |
| Neh 13:4-9 | Eliashib the priest, who had charge of the storage chambers of the house of our God... had provided Tobiah a large room... | Temple chambers for specific use (misuse here). |
| Jer 35:2-4 | Go to the house of the Rechabites... bring them to one of the chambers of the house of the LORD... | Chambers used as living quarters or meeting places for groups. |
| Ezek 40:7-8 | The gate chambers, each cubit in length and cubit in breadth... | Ezekiel's visionary temple with side chambers and entryways. |
| Ezek 41:5-7 | The temple's wall... the side chambers all around, three stories high... entrances from a courtyard... | Detailed structure of side chambers and their access in ideal temple. |
| Matt 21:12-13 | Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. | Temple's sanctity and rightful use. |
| Luke 19:45-46 | He entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were selling. | Temple's sanctity and rightful use. |
| John 2:16-17 | "Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it is written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." | Emphasis on God's dwelling being sacred and not for mundane activities. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. | Earthly temple reflects heavenly reality, divine blueprint. |
| Heb 9:1-2 | The first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. | Temple setup, specific areas and functions. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | You are fellow citizens with God's people... built on the foundation... God's dwelling in the Spirit. | Believers as spiritual temple, built according to divine design. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? | Individual believers and community as God's temple. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood... | Believers as living stones building God's spiritual house. |
1 Kings 6 verses
1 Kings 6 8 Meaning
First Kings 6:8 describes a specific architectural detail of Solomon's Temple: the access point to its multi-storied side chambers. It states that the entrance to the lowest level of these chambers was located on the south side of the Temple structure. From this entry point, a winding staircase or set of stairs allowed movement up to the middle and upper levels of these chambers, facilitating access within the temple annexes without disturbing the sanctity of the main sanctuary.
1 Kings 6 8 Context
The context of 1 Kings 6:8 is Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Chapter 6 specifically details the architecture, dimensions, materials, and internal furnishings of the Temple, meticulously following divine instructions passed down through David. This verse describes the functional layout of the surrounding "side chambers" or annexes (Hebrew: tselaot, lit. "ribs" or "sides"), which were an integral part of the temple complex. These chambers, built on three levels, provided space for storage of sacred vessels, tithes, priestly vestments, and possibly for the lodging of priests performing their duties. The detail about the south-side entrance and winding stairway highlights the precise and ordered nature of the construction, ensuring proper access and separation between sacred and administrative functions. Historically, grand structures in the Ancient Near East often featured surrounding ancillary rooms, but the Temple's specific design, divinely inspired, emphasized both utility and sanctity.
1 Kings 6 8 Word analysis
- The entrance: (Heb. פתח, petach) Refers to an "opening" or "doorway." This was not just a general way in, but a specific, designed entry point into the functional annexes of the Temple. Its singular nature suggests controlled access.
- to the lowest floor: (Heb. הצלע התחתונה, ha'tsela ha'tachtona) "The lowest side chamber." Tsela (צלע) literally means "rib" or "side" and here refers to the lateral chambers built around the main temple structure. It's not a modern "floor" within the main building, but the lowest level of these three-storied annexes. These chambers served various practical needs, such as storage for holy vessels or provisions for priests, indicating a blend of sacred space and practical functionality.
- was on the south side: (Heb. מימין, miyamin) Literally "on the right hand" (when facing east, as per typical ancient Israelite orientation where east was 'in front,' north 'left,' and south 'right'). This specified the precise location of the entry, underscoring the meticulous planning and adherence to detailed blueprints. This orientation was culturally significant in the ancient world for setting directions.
- and a stairway: (Heb. בלולאים, balulaim) "by winding/circular stairs" or "by spiraling ways." The word lulaim suggests a spiraling or winding ascent, distinguishing it from a straight ladder. This was an advanced architectural feature for its time, designed for efficient movement between floors in a confined space. It ensured easy access to all levels without entering the main holy areas of the Temple itself.
- led up to: (implied in the preceding phrase, indicating ascent) The function of the stairway was clearly to facilitate vertical movement between the levels.
- the middle and upper floors: (Heb. התיכונה והשלישית, ha'tikhona v'ha'shlishit) "the middle and the third" [chambers/stories]. This confirms the existence of three levels of side chambers. The specific designation ("third") implies a progression upwards, highlighting the structured design.
- Word-group analysis:
- "The entrance... on the south side": Emphasizes precision in the Temple's construction and layout. Every detail, down to the entrance direction of its functional rooms, was specified. This orderly design likely contrasted with the often haphazard constructions of pagan temples.
- "a stairway led up to the middle and upper floors": This highlights the internal efficiency of the side chambers. The winding staircase implies thoughtful design for practicality and space-saving, allowing for multi-story functionality independent of the main sanctuary. This access method preserved the sanctity of the interior and limited access to specific personnel for specific tasks.
1 Kings 6 8 Bonus section
- Engineering Marvel: The concept of multi-story structures with internal winding staircases was an impressive feat of ancient engineering. It highlights the sophistication of Israelite builders, likely aided by Phoenician experts.
- Symbolic Access: While physically practical, the "stairway" can also be seen within a broader biblical motif of ascent or progression towards the divine presence, though here it is for practical, not worship, purposes within the chambers themselves. However, it leads "up," a consistent direction for drawing near to God in Scripture (e.g., Psa 24:3-4).
- Polemics against Disorder: The explicit detail and order described for even the service areas of the Temple subtly serves as a contrast to the perceived chaos or arbitrary nature of idol worship, emphasizing that YHWH's dwelling is meticulously structured.
1 Kings 6 8 Commentary
1 Kings 6:8 is a granular detail within the grand narrative of Solomon's Temple construction, yet it reveals significant truths about divine design and human craftsmanship. It demonstrates the meticulous planning, divinely revealed through David (1 Chr 28:11-19), that guided every aspect of this sacred edifice. The "side chambers" (Hebrew: tselaot) were not mere add-ons but integrated functional spaces crucial for the Temple's operation, storing essential items and possibly accommodating priests. The unique "winding stairway" (lulaim) points to the advanced architectural ingenuity employed, enabling efficient multi-level access within these chambers without external stairs that might expose sacred contents or personnel. The designation of a "south side" entrance underscores the precision and deliberate order intrinsic to all God-ordained structures. This verse subtly contrasts with pagan temples where structures might be less ordered or accessible. The Temple's design, even in its lesser-known functional spaces, spoke volumes of a God of order, precision, and sanctity, ensuring that His dwelling place on earth functioned efficiently while maintaining its holy purpose.