1 Kings 7 7

1 Kings 7:7 kjv

Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.

1 Kings 7:7 nkjv

Then he made a hall for the throne, the Hall of Judgment, where he might judge; and it was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling.

1 Kings 7:7 niv

He built the throne hall, the Hall of Justice, where he was to judge, and he covered it with cedar from floor to ceiling.

1 Kings 7:7 esv

And he made the Hall of the Throne where he was to pronounce judgment, even the Hall of Judgment. It was finished with cedar from floor to rafters.

1 Kings 7:7 nlt

Solomon also built the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 7 Meaning

This verse describes Solomon's construction of a significant part of his royal complex: the Hall of Judgment, also known as the Hall of the Throne. This was a dedicated space where the king would preside over legal matters, dispense justice, and exercise his royal authority. Its opulence was underscored by being entirely paneled with cedar wood, from floor to ceiling, signifying its importance and grandeur.

1 Kings 7 7 Context

1 Kings chapter 7 primarily describes the construction of King Solomon's personal palace and associated buildings, following the completion of the Temple of the Lord in chapter 6. While the Temple's construction took seven years (1 Kgs 6:38), Solomon's own house and other structures, including the Hall of Judgment, took thirteen years (1 Kgs 7:1). This indicates the extensive scale and grandeur of his royal dwelling. The verse under analysis specifically highlights the purpose of one of these significant halls, linking Solomon's regal authority with his judicial responsibilities. In the ancient Near East, the king often served as the supreme judge, and a designated space for such proceedings reinforced the importance of justice in the kingdom.

1 Kings 7 7 Word Analysis

• Then he made (וַיַּעַשׂ֙ - wa-yaʿas): Literally "and he made" or "and he did." This continuous narrative conjunction links the construction of this hall with the previously mentioned buildings within Solomon's complex. It signifies an ongoing creative and constructive action by the king.
• the Hall of Judgment (אֻלָ֥ם הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט - ulam ha-mishpat):
  • Hall (Ulam): Refers to a portico, vestibule, or an entrance hall. It designates a significant and public space within a grand building, often the most accessible or prominent part for formal gatherings.
  • Judgment (Mishpat): A pivotal Hebrew term signifying "justice," "legal decision," "ordinance," "custom," "right," or "due procedure." In this context, it primarily denotes the act of presiding over legal disputes and delivering rulings. This was a core responsibility for the king, essential for maintaining societal order and peace. The naming of the hall explicitly stated its primary function.
• where he might judge (אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִשְׁפָּט־שָׁ֔ם - asher yishpot-sham): This phrase clearly states the hall's specific purpose. It emphasizes that this was not merely a ceremonial room, but a functional space designated for the king's judicial activity. The repeated mention of judging reinforces this central role.
• even the Hall of the Throne (וְאֻלָּ֣ם הַכִּסֵּ֗א - w'ulam ha-kisē):
  • Throne (Kisse): The physical seat and powerful symbol of a king's authority, sovereignty, and rule. The throne was where a king would sit to render judgment and exercise royal power.
  • This is an example of synonymous parallelism, indicating that "the Hall of Judgment" and "the Hall of the Throne" refer to the same place, highlighting its dual purpose as the seat of royal authority and the place for judicial administration. The throne itself (later described in 1 Kgs 10:18-20 as grand ivory and gold) was integral to this hall.
• where he was to judge (אֲשֶׁ֣ר הַמִּשְׁפָּט֮ שָׁם֒ - asher ha-mishpat sham): This reiterates the function of the hall, reinforcing the idea that it was the designated place for judgment. The article "the" before mishpat (judgment) can imply that it was the official and primary place for legal proceedings, the established place where justice was meted out.
• and it was paneled with cedar (וְכָפ֨וּי בָּאֶ֤רֶז - w'kafuy ba'erez):
  • Paneled (Kafuy): Means "covered," "lined," or "paneled."
  • Cedar (Erez): Specifically refers to the highly valued and durable Lebanese cedar wood. It was known for its beauty, fragrance, resistance to decay, and scarcity, making it an expensive and prestigious building material. Its use here speaks to the immense wealth and prestige of Solomon and the significance attributed to this particular hall.
• from floor to ceiling (מֵֽאֶרֶץ֙ עַד־קְצָת֙ לַקּוֹרָֽה - me'eretz ad qetzat laqorah): Literally "from the earth (floor) to the end of the beam." This detail signifies that the entire inner surface, from bottom to top, was covered with cedar paneling. It denotes a lavish and complete use of this luxurious material, emphasizing the hall's magnificent and awe-inspiring nature.

1 Kings 7 7 Bonus Section

• Contrast with Temple Construction: It's noteworthy that Solomon spent more time building his own palace (13 years) and its associated structures like the Hall of Judgment than he did on the Temple of the Lord (7 years, 1 Kgs 6:38). While the Temple was central, this disproportionate investment might indicate the increasing focus on the monarchical institution itself.
• Symbolic Connection to God's Justice: In biblical theology, justice flows from God Himself. A king, particularly one as blessed and wise as Solomon, was meant to be an instrument of divine justice. Therefore, the Hall of Judgment was not merely a civic space but also carried implicit spiritual weight, functioning as a human echo of the heavenly court where God sits in judgment (Ps 9:7-8).
• Absence of specific legal codes/process: The verse highlights the place and the king's role, but it doesn't detail the legal procedures or specific laws used for judgment. This implies a system where the king's wisdom and discerning heart (sought by Solomon in 1 Kgs 3) were paramount in applying justice.

1 Kings 7 7 Commentary

1 Kings 7:7 concisely describes a central aspect of Solomon's reign: the administration of justice from his grand throne. The Hall of Judgment, being synonymous with the Hall of the Throne, underscores the direct link between royal power and the dispensing of righteous judgments in ancient Israel. Unlike many other nations where rulers often exercised arbitrary power, a king in Israel was ideally expected to be God's vice-regent, ruling with justice and righteousness (mishpat and tzedakah). This was a recurring theme in the prophetic literature and wisdom tradition, linking a king's well-being and national prosperity to his adherence to justice. The magnificent cedar paneling, similar to that used in the Temple, reflects not only Solomon's immense wealth and glory but also potentially imbues the judicial space with a sacred, divinely sanctioned quality, befitting the king who sought wisdom for judging God's people. This hall served as a visible manifestation of Solomon's commitment, sought from God (1 Kgs 3:9), to preside over his kingdom with wisdom and integrity, reflecting the divine character of justice.