1 Kings 7:12 kjv
And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.
1 Kings 7:12 nkjv
The great court was enclosed with three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams. So were the inner court of the house of the LORD and the vestibule of the temple.
1 Kings 7:12 niv
The great courtyard was surrounded by a wall of three courses of dressed stone and one course of trimmed cedar beams, as was the inner courtyard of the temple of the LORD with its portico.
1 Kings 7:12 esv
The great court had three courses of cut stone all around, and a course of cedar beams; so had the inner court of the house of the LORD and the vestibule of the house.
1 Kings 7:12 nlt
The walls of the great courtyard were built so that there was one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the LORD's Temple with its entry room.
1 Kings 7 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:3-7 | And this is the contribution that you shall accept from them: gold, silver, and... | God instructs quality materials for Tabernacle |
| Exod 27:9 | You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side there shall be hangings... | God instructs specific dimensions for Tabernacle court |
| Exod 36:8 | All the skillful men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains... | Skilled craftsmanship for Tabernacle |
| 1 Kgs 5:6 | ...my servants shall be with your servants, and I will pay you for your servants' wages... | Solomon secures labor and materials via trade |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | The house, when it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry... | Temple stones were perfectly shaped off-site |
| 1 Kgs 6:9-10 | He built the house and finished it... with timbers of cedar... | Use of cedar in the main Temple structure |
| 1 Kgs 6:18 | The cedar within the house was carved with gourds and open flowers; all was cedar... | Intricate artistry with cedar in Temple |
| 1 Kgs 9:15-19 | This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted... to build... | Solomon's massive building program |
| 1 Kgs 10:10 | She gave the king 120 talents of gold... a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. | Demonstrates Solomon's immense wealth |
| 1 Kgs 10:21 | All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House... | Gold and silver abundance in Solomon's reign |
| 1 Chr 22:2-3 | David commanded to gather resident aliens... for cutting stones to build the house... | David's preparations for Temple construction |
| 1 Chr 22:14 | In my trouble I have provided for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold... | David's vast financial provision for the Temple |
| 1 Chr 29:2-3 | With all my might I have provided for the house of my God, gold, silver... precious stones... | David's personal zeal for Temple materials |
| 2 Chr 3:1 | Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah... | Solomon begins building as prophesied |
| Ezra 5:8 | Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah... the house of the great God... | Post-exilic Temple also rebuilt with quality |
| Isa 54:11-12 | Oh afflicted one... I will lay your foundations with sapphires... and all your borders of precious stones. | God promises future glorious dwelling/city |
| Hag 1:4 | Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? | Call to rebuild God's neglected house |
| Matt 24:1 | Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings... | Disciples marvel at Temple's impressive stones |
| John 2:19-21 | Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was speaking... | Christ as the spiritual Temple |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... into a holy temple... | Believers built into God's spiritual dwelling |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as "living stones" in God's spiritual house |
| Rev 21:18-20 | The wall of the city was built of jasper, and the city pure gold, like clear glass... | Description of New Jerusalem's magnificent materials |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 12 Meaning
1 Kings 7:12 describes the meticulous construction of the various surrounding courtyards and porticos associated with both Solomon's royal palace complex and the Temple of the Lord. It details the high-quality materials used for these expansive structures: three distinct layers of precisely cut, dressed stones (hewn stones), topped by a row of valuable cedar beams. This passage signifies an immense, finely crafted, and durable architectural feat, providing dignified and ordered spaces for both the king's functions and the sacred activities of God's house.
1 Kings 7 12 Context
1 Kings chapter 7 continues the detailed narrative of King Solomon's extensive building projects in Jerusalem. Following the comprehensive account of the seven-year construction of the Temple in Chapter 6, Chapter 7 now shifts focus to Solomon's even longer, thirteen-year endeavor to build his own opulent palace complex (7:1). The verse fits into a summary (7:9-12) of the premium materials used for these massive structures, specifying that even the extensive external courts and the porch leading to important areas were constructed with the same high-quality hewn stones and cedar beams. This illustrates the grand scale, meticulous planning, and immense wealth of Solomon's kingdom. Historically, this period reflects the pinnacle of Israel's United Monarchy, characterized by prosperity, widespread influence, and a fusion of local and foreign (particularly Phoenician) architectural techniques and materials, like the highly valued Lebanese cedar.
1 Kings 7 12 Word analysis
- "And the great courts" (וַחֲצֵרוֹת הַגְּדֹלָה, waḥaṣērōṯ haggĕḏōlâ): "Great" signifies immense size and grandeur, reflecting royal and divine majesty. "Courts" refers to large, open courtyards or enclosures that provided expansive gathering areas and formed distinct boundaries within the sprawling royal and sacred complex, encompassing both Solomon's palace and the Temple precincts.
- "all around": This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive and encompassing nature of these courts, suggesting they surrounded the main buildings, delineating the vast extent of the complex.
- "and the court of the house of the Lord" (וַחֲצַר בֵּית יְהוָה, waḥaṣar bêṯ YHWH): This specifies the particularly sacred courtyard associated with the Temple (בֵּית יְהוָה, House of the Lord). This would likely be the inner or outer court accessible to Israelites or priests, underscoring that even these consecrated, though less sacred, spaces received the finest materials.
- "and the porch of the house" (וְאוּלָם הַבַּיִת, wə'ûlām habbayiṯ): "Porch" or "vestibule" (אוּלָם, ûlām). Given its placement after "the court of the House of the Lord," it most likely refers to the magnificent entrance porch of the Temple itself, mentioned previously (1 Kings 6:3), serving as a transition into the main sanctuary and adding to its majestic appearance.
- "were made with": Indicates the materials and construction method employed, emphasizing consistency across these significant structures.
- "three rows of hewn stones" (שְׁלֹשָׁה טוּרֵי גָזִית, šəlōšâ ṭûrê gāzîṯ): "Rows" or "courses" (טוּרֵי). "Hewn stones" (גָּזִית) are precisely cut, dressed, or squared stones, indicating highly skilled masonry and sophisticated craftsmanship. The "three" rows denote foundational stability and robust, high-quality wall construction, characteristic of enduring structures in the ancient Near East.
- "and a row of cedar beams" (וְטִיר עֲצֵי אֶרֶז, wəṭîr ‘aṣê ‘erez): "Row" (טִיר). "Cedar beams" (עֲצֵי אֶרֶז) refers to valuable timber from Lebanon. Cedar was highly esteemed for its strength, durability, resistance to decay, fragrant aroma, and aesthetic beauty. The layering of stone and cedar suggests a sophisticated architectural technique, possibly an alternating bond course within the walls or a wooden top layer, contributing to both the structure's strength and visual appeal. This combination highlights the lavish resources and advanced building technology employed in these monumental projects.
1 Kings 7 12 Bonus section
The contrast between the "hewn stones" used for the Temple's sophisticated construction (as described here) and the commandment for altars to be built of "uncut stones" (Exod 20:25; Deut 27:5-6) is noteworthy. While the altar symbolized raw, unadorned worship and immediate access to God, the Temple, as God's majestic dwelling, demanded the pinnacle of human skill and artistic perfection. The cedar wood, famously sourced from Lebanon, was prized throughout the ancient world for its qualities, making its extensive use here a testament to the grandiosity of Solomon's reign and the high honor accorded to God's presence.
1 Kings 7 12 Commentary
1 Kings 7:12 vividly conveys the scale and exceptional quality of Solomon's construction projects, extending beyond the core Temple structure to its extensive courts and peripheral entrances. The consistent use of "three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams" reflects advanced building techniques, likely incorporating Phoenician methods, ensuring structural integrity, durability, and a grand aesthetic. This detail underscores not only Solomon's immense wealth, enabled by strategic alliances and trade, but also his commitment to erecting a magnificent dwelling place for the Lord, one that was unparalleled in the region. By applying such exquisite materials and craftsmanship to even the auxiliary spaces, the entire complex radiated sacredness and royal authority, embodying a material manifestation of the prosperity and dignity attributed to the King of Israel and the God he worshipped.