1 Kings 7 6

1 Kings 7:6 kjv

And he made a porch of pillars; the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth thereof thirty cubits: and the porch was before them: and the other pillars and the thick beam were before them.

1 Kings 7:6 nkjv

He also made the Hall of Pillars: its length was fifty cubits, and its width thirty cubits; and in front of them was a portico with pillars, and a canopy was in front of them.

1 Kings 7:6 niv

He made a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty wide. In front of it was a portico, and in front of that were pillars and an overhanging roof.

1 Kings 7:6 esv

And he made the Hall of Pillars; its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth thirty cubits. There was a porch in front with pillars, and a canopy in front of them.

1 Kings 7:6 nlt

Solomon also built the Hall of Pillars, which was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. There was a porch in front, along with a canopy supported by pillars.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 6 Meaning

This verse describes a specific section of King Solomon's vast royal complex in Jerusalem, known as the "Portico of Pillars" or "Portico of Columns." It details its considerable dimensions, emphasizing its significant length of fifty cubits and width of thirty cubits. Furthermore, it specifies the presence of an additional, front portico adorned with pillars and a threshold, indicating a layered or sequential entrance system. This structure likely served as a grand entrance or a public hall, reflecting Solomon's wealth, wisdom, and the opulence of his reign, a time when Israel reached its peak of worldly glory and power, all facilitated by God.

1 Kings 7 6 Context

First Kings chapter 7 continues the detailed account of Solomon's ambitious construction projects in Jerusalem, immediately following the completion and dedication of the Lord's Temple in chapter 6. While chapter 6 focuses exclusively on the sacred House of the Lord, chapter 7 meticulously describes the construction of Solomon's personal palace complex and various administrative buildings, a massive undertaking that took thirteen years to complete (1 Kgs 7:1).

Within this larger royal complex, verse 6 specifically details "the Portico of Pillars." This structure was one of several distinct components mentioned, alongside the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs 7:2-5), the "Portico of the Throne" or "Hall of Judgment" (1 Kgs 7:7), and his private residence (1 Kgs 7:8). This verse sets out the exact dimensions and key features of this particular portico, distinguishing it from other parts of the sprawling palace. Historically, Solomon's reign was a time of unprecedented wealth and power for Israel, secured through trade, treaties, and tribute, and this was reflected in the grand scale and opulence of his architectural endeavors. The detailing of this and other buildings underscores not only the king's prosperity but also his wisdom and administrative prowess in organizing such extensive construction. The biblical narrative carefully notes these structures to highlight the height of Israel's national glory under a king blessed by God, even while subtly contrasting their grandeur with the ultimate significance of the slightly less expansive, but infinitely more sacred, Temple.

1 Kings 7 6 Word analysis

• He made: (וַיַּעַשׂ - wayya‘as) This verb, meaning "he did" or "he made," signifies the initiation and execution of the construction under King Solomon's direct command or supervision. It marks a continuation of the narrative detailing his architectural projects.
• a portico: (אֻלָם - ʾulām) This Hebrew term denotes a porch, vestibule, or an antechamber. It suggests a formal entrance hall, common in grand public buildings or temples. The use of the same word here as for the Temple's entrance (1 Kgs 6:3) signifies the comparable grandeur and formal function of this royal structure.
• of pillars: (הָעַמֻּדִים - hā‘ammudim) Lit. "the pillars." This phrase highlights the primary structural and decorative feature of this specific portico. Pillars (columns) provided support for the roof and created an open, yet imposing, architectural effect. They symbolized strength, permanence, and grandeur, reminiscent of major ancient Near Eastern architecture.
• its length: (אׇרְכּוֹ - ʾorkō) Refers to the longest dimension of the structure, setting its primary scale.
• was fifty cubits: (חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה - ḥamishīm ʾammāh) A cubit was an ancient unit of measurement, typically from elbow to fingertip, estimated between 18 to 21 inches (approx. 45-53 cm). Fifty cubits (around 75-87.5 feet or 22.5-26.5 meters) denotes a very substantial length for an ancient building, emphasizing the scale and impressiveness of Solomon's royal complex. This length makes it only slightly shorter than the main sanctuary of the Temple itself (60 cubits, 1 Kgs 6:2).
• and its width: (וְרָחְבּוֹ - wĕraḥbō) Refers to the shorter dimension.
• thirty cubits: (שְׁלֹשִׁים אַמָּה - shloshim ʾammāh) Thirty cubits (around 45-52.5 feet or 13.5-15.9 meters) indicates a significant width, making the portico a large, spacious hall, not merely a narrow passageway.
• and a portico was in front of them: (וְאֻלָם עַל פְּנֵיהֶם - wĕʾulām ʿal pĕnêhem) This phrase indicates a secondary or an extension of the primary portico. It was positioned before or at the face of the main hall, creating a distinct, perhaps outer, entryway. This implies a hierarchical arrangement of spaces, common in palatial architecture. The repetition of "portico" for this smaller, front structure further emphasizes its formal and grand nature as part of the overall entrance sequence.
• with pillars: (וְעַמֻּדִים - wĕ‘ammudim) Reiterates that this front section also had columns, reinforcing the structural and aesthetic theme of the larger portico and entire complex.
• and a threshold: (וְסִף - wĕsip) A threshold signifies a substantial doorstep, a sill, or a formal entrance platform. It marks a transition point between the outer approach and the portico itself, indicating the formality and grandeur of entry into this part of the royal precinct.
• in front of them: (עַל פְּנֵיהֶם - ʿal pĕnêhem) This repetition reinforces the position of the second portico with its pillars and threshold in relation to the first set of pillars, providing a detailed visual of the architectural arrangement. It describes a sequential and layered approach, making the entrance experience even more impressive.

1 Kings 7 6 Bonus section

The "Portico of Pillars" is often understood by scholars as serving primarily a public function, likely as a grand entrance or a public gathering hall before accessing the more private areas of the palace complex. Some commentaries suggest it may have been an open courtyard surrounded by columns or a deep hall with many columns supporting its roof. Its specific relationship to the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kgs 7:2-5), described as 100 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, is debated. Some believe the Portico of Pillars was directly in front of the House of the Forest of Lebanon, acting as its formal entrance, while others view it as a separate but connected hall. This ambiguity in layout highlights the challenge of reconstructing ancient buildings precisely from textual descriptions. The consistent use of precise cubit measurements throughout 1 Kings 6-7, for both the sacred and royal structures, emphasizes the careful planning and construction involved in these colossal undertakings, reflecting the era's sophisticated engineering capabilities.

1 Kings 7 6 Commentary

1 Kings 7:6 details one specific yet highly significant component of King Solomon's sprawling royal palace complex: the Portico of Pillars. The precise measurements (50 cubits long by 30 cubits wide) immediately convey the immense scale of this structure, underscoring the king's vast wealth and power, provided by God. While smaller than the House of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Kgs 7:2), it was still a formidable building, designed for grandeur. The presence of numerous "pillars" as its defining characteristic, alongside an additional "front portico with pillars and a threshold," speaks to the elaborate and imposing nature of its entrance. This section served not just as a passageway but as a formal antechamber or a place for reception and assembly, a fitting symbol of the flourishing kingdom under Solomon's wise rule. It illustrates how Solomon, having dedicated the best of his resources to the Lord's Temple, also ensured that his own dwelling reflected the glory and prosperity of the kingdom over which God had placed him. The meticulous architectural details provided in scripture echo the detailed divine instructions for the Tabernacle and Temple, implying divine endorsement of even the king's earthly domain when aligned with God's purposes.