1 Kings 7:5 kjv
And all the doors and posts were square, with the windows: and light was against light in three ranks.
1 Kings 7:5 nkjv
And all the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames; and window was opposite window in three tiers.
1 Kings 7:5 niv
All the doorways had rectangular frames; they were in the front part in sets of three, facing each other.
1 Kings 7:5 esv
All the doorways and windows had square frames, and window was opposite window in three tiers.
1 Kings 7:5 nlt
All the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames and were arranged in sets of three, facing each other.
1 Kings 7 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:9 | "According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern...even so shall ye make it." | Divine pattern for building |
| Exod 31:3 | "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," | God gifting skill for construction |
| 1 Kgs 6:4 | "And for the house he made windows of narrow lights." | Temple windows (different description) |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither:" | Precision in building (Temple) |
| 1 Kgs 7:2 | "He built also the House of the Forest of Lebanon..." | Context: The building being described |
| 1 Kgs 7:6 | "And he made a porch of pillars; the length thereof was fifty cubits..." | Solomon's other palace buildings |
| 1 Kgs 7:14 | "...and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass..." | Skill of Hiram the craftsman |
| 2 Chr 9:4 | "...and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers...and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD..." | Solomon's grandeur admired (architecture) |
| Ps 36:9 | "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light." | God as source of light (spiritual parallel) |
| Ps 104:2 | "Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:" | God's radiant glory/light |
| Ps 119:105 | "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." | Divine guidance illuminating |
| Prov 21:20 | "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise..." | Value of wealth wisely used |
| Isa 2:2 | "...the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." | Future glory of God's dwelling (implies grandeur) |
| Isa 60:1 | "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." | Jerusalem shining forth light |
| Jer 22:14 | "That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows..." | Description of royal building (contrast in purpose) |
| Jn 1:4 | "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." | Christ as the true Light |
| Jn 8:12 | "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." | Christ as the ultimate light |
| Eph 5:8 | "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" | Believers are light in the Lord |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." | Principle of divine order and arrangement |
| Jas 3:17 | "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." | Wisdom (source of good works) |
| Rev 21:23 | "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." | Ultimate divine illumination in New Jerusalem |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 5 Meaning
This verse describes a specific aspect of the architectural design of Solomon's House of the Forest of Lebanon, focusing on its windows, doors, and doorposts. It emphasizes precision and intentionality, stating that these architectural elements had uniform, "square" frames. The phrase "light was against light in three ranks" highlights a sophisticated system of natural illumination, likely indicating windows positioned opposite each other across multiple levels or tiers, designed to maximize brightness and create an open, well-lit interior within the grand structure.
1 Kings 7 5 Context
1 Kings chapter 7 primarily describes the elaborate construction projects undertaken by King Solomon following the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem. While chapter 6 details the Temple's build, chapter 7 focuses on Solomon's own palatial complex, which took 13 years to build, nearly twice as long as the Temple (1 Kgs 7:1). The verse 1 Kgs 7:5 specifically refers to a design element within "the House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs 7:2), a grand building characterized by numerous cedar pillars, likely serving as an armory and royal audience hall. This particular verse highlights the aesthetic and functional aspects of its fenestration—how light was handled—showcasing Solomon's meticulousness, the high level of craftsmanship available to him, and the grandeur reflective of a divinely blessed monarch in the ancient Near East. Such detailed descriptions underscore the wealth, power, and prestige associated with Solomon's reign, marking it as a golden age.
1 Kings 7 5 Word analysis
- And: Connects this architectural detail to the preceding descriptions of Solomon's vast palatial complex, emphasizing its continuity within the larger narrative of his building projects.
- all: Signifies universality and uniformity across the entire structure, indicating consistent, intentional design rather than isolated instances.
- the doors (Heb. petaḥim - פְּתָחִים): Refers to the main entrances or openings within the building. These were not mere utilitarian apertures but elements integrated into the overall aesthetic design.
- and posts (Heb. mezuzot - מְזוּזוֹת): Denotes the doorposts or vertical side frames of doorways. Beyond their structural role, in Israelite culture, doorposts held significance (e.g., Exod 12:7; Deut 6:9). Here, it emphasizes that even these structural elements were carefully shaped and uniform.
- were square (Heb. revu'im - רְבוּעִים): Literally means "squared" or "four-sided." This implies precise, geometric forms and meticulous craftsmanship. In ancient architecture, this detail indicated sophistication and order, moving beyond crude, uneven construction to achieve a refined, planned aesthetic. It suggests deliberate architectural intention.
- with the windows: This phrase indicates that the windows shared the same square or rectangular framing, or were designed in conjunction with the square doors and posts. The meticulous design applied comprehensively to all openings in the structure. It signifies a cohesive architectural theme throughout the building.
- and light was against light: This idiomatic expression describes a deliberate alignment of windows or openings such that light from one source (window) directly opposed, met, or streamed toward another on the opposite side. This design effectively maximized natural illumination and promoted cross-ventilation within the expansive structure, creating a brighter and airier interior. It suggests a high level of architectural ingenuity to manage the natural environment.
- in three ranks (Heb. shalosh be'orot - שָׁלֹשׁ בְּאֹרוֹת or related terms for "three windows"): This specifies the vertical arrangement of the windows. It indicates multiple tiers or levels of windows (likely three stories or rows) along the building's facade, further enhancing light penetration and demonstrating a multi-story, grandiose architectural style uncommon for typical dwellings of the time.
1 Kings 7 5 Bonus section
- The term "House of the Forest of Lebanon" for the main building described in this section is due to its construction using extensive cedar wood pillars from Lebanon, which gave it a "forest-like" appearance (1 Kgs 7:2-3). The grand window system would have played a crucial role in illuminating a building potentially dense with columns.
- The elaborate descriptions of Solomon's palaces often serve to contextualize his wealth and power within the wider ancient Near Eastern setting, where kings often built massive, opulent structures to demonstrate their authority and prosperity. This building specifically could have functioned as a state arsenal, throne room, or an impressive venue for formal gatherings.
- The contrast between the 7 years for the Temple and 13 years for Solomon's palace complex (1 Kgs 6:38, 7:1) implies the sheer scale and complexity of his personal residential and administrative structures. This verse details just one architectural feature contributing to that complexity.
1 Kings 7 5 Commentary
1 Kings 7:5 provides a focused glimpse into the meticulous design and grandeur of Solomon's royal palace, particularly the House of the Forest of Lebanon. The recurring emphasis on "square" forms for doors, posts, and windows speaks to a deliberate pursuit of geometric precision and aesthetic order in his vast architectural undertakings. This was not haphazard building but carefully planned construction, indicating high standards of craftsmanship and a developed understanding of structural and visual harmony. The phrase "light was against light in three ranks" highlights an innovative approach to natural illumination, where strategically placed windows across multiple levels allowed for optimal light penetration and possibly dynamic visual effects within the immense structure. This design not only made the interior exceptionally bright and airy but also underscored the opulence and sophistication of Solomon's court. Ultimately, this detailed description, while seemingly technical, contributes to the biblical narrative of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and wealth, which were blessings from God. It symbolizes the orderly and splendid reign of a king favored by the Divine.