1 Kings 7 48

1 Kings 7:48 kjv

And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was,

1 Kings 7:48 nkjv

Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold on which was the showbread;

1 Kings 7:48 niv

Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in the LORD's temple: the golden altar; the golden table on which was the bread of the Presence;

1 Kings 7:48 esv

So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of the LORD: the golden altar, the golden table for the bread of the Presence,

1 Kings 7:48 nlt

Solomon also made all the furnishings of the Temple of the LORD: the gold altar;
the gold table for the Bread of the Presence;

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 48 Meaning

1 Kings 7:48 describes some of the sacred golden furnishings that King Solomon had made for the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem. Specifically, it highlights two prominent items within the Holy Place: the golden altar designated for incense, and the golden table upon which the shewbread (or "bread of the Presence") was perpetually laid. These items were essential components for the prescribed worship and ceremonial practices within the House of the LORD, crafted with great skill and precious materials to reflect the sanctity and glory of God's dwelling place among His people.

1 Kings 7 48 Context

1 Kings 7:48 is situated within a detailed account of the construction of Solomon's Temple and his royal palace (1 Kings 6-7). Chapter 6 describes the Temple's architectural design and its seven-year construction, emphasizing divine dimensions and sacred materials like cedar, cypress, and gold. Chapter 7 transitions to the furnishings. Earlier verses in chapter 7 focus on the bronze items (pillars, sea, bases, lavers) crafted by Hiram, a skilled artisan from Tyre, primarily for the Temple courtyard. Verse 48, however, shifts the focus indoors to the Holy Place, detailing items made entirely of gold or extensively overlaid with pure gold. This verse specifically describes foundational ritual objects for daily priestly service and represents the opulence, reverence, and meticulous detail invested in equipping God's sanctuary, reflecting a fulfillment of the Tabernacle's original design but on an unprecedented, grand scale.

1 Kings 7 48 Word analysis

• And Solomon made all the vessels:

  • Solomon: The third king of Israel, son of David, renowned for his wisdom and the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His role highlights divine mandate and royal patronage for the sacred project.
  • made: Hebrew עָשָׂה (asah), a versatile verb meaning to do, make, create, or appoint. Here, it denotes direct oversight and responsibility for the manufacturing process, either by his own hands or through his command and provision for the artisans.
  • all the vessels: Hebrew כְּלִים (keliym), a comprehensive term for instruments, implements, or utensils. In a sacred context, it refers specifically to the various articles and furniture used for ritual worship within the Temple. This implies completeness according to the divine instructions.

• that pertained unto the house of the LORD:

  • pertained unto: Denotes belonging, designated for, or exclusively used in connection with. This phrase emphasizes the sacred dedication and function of these items. They were not for common use but set apart for God's exclusive service.
  • the house of the LORD: Refers to the Temple (בֵּית יְהוָה - Beit Adonai), the permanent dwelling place built for God's name and presence in Jerusalem, replacing the movable Tabernacle. This underscores the holy and singular purpose of these vessels for Yahweh worship.

• the altar of gold:

  • the altar: Hebrew מִזְבַּח (mizbeach), a place of slaughter or sacrifice. In this context, given its material, it refers specifically to the Altar of Incense, situated inside the Holy Place, before the veil to the Most Holy Place. This is distinct from the large bronze altar for burnt offerings located in the Temple courtyard (1 Ki 8:64; 2 Chr 7:7).
  • of gold: Hebrew זָהָב (zahav). This specifies pure gold as the material, indicating extreme preciousness, sanctity, and enduring purity. The altar of incense was typically overlaid with gold, but the phrase "altar of gold" emphasizes its entirely golden appearance and composition according to the Tabernacle pattern (Exod 30:1-3). It represented the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Rev 8:3-4).

• and the table of gold:

  • the table: Hebrew שֻׁלְחָן (shulchan), a flat surface used for setting out food or other items. This refers to the Table of Shewbread, which stood in the Holy Place alongside the golden altar and the lampstands.
  • of gold: Again, specifies the material as gold, highlighting its sacred status and high value. The original Tabernacle table was overlaid with pure gold (Exod 25:23-24). Its presence underscored divine provision and fellowship.

• whereupon the shewbread was:

  • whereupon: Indicates the primary function of the table.
  • the shewbread: Hebrew לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים (lechem haPaniym), literally "Bread of the Face" or "Bread of the Presence." This refers to twelve loaves of unleavened bread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, that were arranged in two stacks on the golden table, perpetually set before the LORD as an offering (Lev 24:5-9). It was a perpetual sign of God's covenant and His constant presence among His people, symbolizing spiritual sustenance and fellowship. Only priests could eat it (except in unusual circumstances like David's).

Words-Group analysis

• "And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD:" This phrase establishes Solomon's role as the orchestrator of divine commands concerning the Temple's internal furnishings. The phrase "all the vessels" implies a comprehensive effort to equip the sanctuary fully, while "pertained unto the house of the LORD" underscores their sacred, exclusive purpose, contrasting them with secular objects and affirming their divine designation within Yahweh's unique cult.
• "the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread was:" This specifies two crucial internal components of the Holy Place, chosen for emphasis due to their central role in the daily ritual and symbolism. The repeated mention of "gold" signifies ultimate purity, value, and divine royalty associated with God's dwelling and the means of approach to Him (prayer and sustenance). The meticulous description links Solomon's Temple directly to the divinely revealed pattern of the Tabernacle, asserting continuity and authenticity in worship.

1 Kings 7 48 Bonus section

• The placement of these items was critical within the Holy Place, directly before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place (where the Ark of the Covenant resided). This signified their close proximity to God's immediate presence.
• The meticulous crafting and use of pure gold indicated adherence to the divine blueprint inherited from the Tabernacle instructions given to Moses (Exod 25-30), validating the legitimacy and sacredness of Solomon's Temple in God's eyes.
• The golden vessels served as visible symbols of God's glory and His commitment to His covenant people, inviting reverence and faithful service.
• Beyond their literal function, these items carried profound typological significance. The altar of incense anticipates Christ's intercessory prayer and the prayers of believers; the table of shewbread foreshadows Christ as the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35), the sustenance for believers, and a symbol of covenant fellowship with God.

1 Kings 7 48 Commentary

1 Kings 7:48 provides a succinct but profound glimpse into the splendor and sacred order of Solomon's Temple, specifically highlighting two gold-laden items in the Holy Place: the Altar of Incense and the Table of Shewbread. These were not mere decorative pieces but functional instruments for daily priestly duties. The Altar of Incense, before the veil, represented the prayers of God's people ascending to Him, while the Table of Showbread symbolized God's perpetual presence and provision for His people. The emphasis on "gold" underscores the unparalleled value and sanctity ascribed to these objects and, by extension, to the divine presence they served. This careful furnishing points to the systematic worship mandated by God, reminding the Israelites of His constant dwelling among them and the way they were to approach Him. The objects served as tangible reminders of spiritual truths—communion with God through prayer and dependence on His sustaining provision, ultimately prefiguring the deeper realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate sacrifice, intercessor, and the true "Bread of Life."