King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 6:16 Mean?

1 Kings 6:16 in the King James Version says “And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built t...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.”

1 Kings 6:16 · KJV

Context

14

So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

15

And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir. both: or, from the floor of the house unto the walls, etc

16

And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.

17

And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.

18

And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. knops: or, gourds open: Heb. openings of

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of construction of the temple, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּ֤בֶן1 of 18

“And he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת2 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים3 of 18

“twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אַמָּ֜ה4 of 18

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

מִֽיַּרְכְּותֵ֤י5 of 18

“on the sides”

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

מִבַּ֣יִת6 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

בְּצַלְע֣וֹת7 of 18

“with boards”

H6763

a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e., leaf); hence, a side, literally (of a person) or figuratively (of an obje

אֲרָזִ֔ים8 of 18

“of cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

מִן9 of 18

“both”

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקַּרְקַ֖ע10 of 18

“the floor”

H7172

floor (as if a pavement of pieces or tesseroe), of a building or the sea

עַד11 of 18
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַקִּיר֑וֹת12 of 18

“and the walls”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

וַיִּ֤בֶן13 of 18

“And he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לוֹ֙14 of 18
H0
מִבַּ֣יִת15 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לִדְבִ֔יר16 of 18

“even for the oracle”

H1687

the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary

הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃17 of 18

“even for the most”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃18 of 18

“even for the most”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 6:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 8:62 Chronicles 3:8Leviticus 16:2Hebrews 9:3Ezekiel 45:3Exodus 26:33-34

Places in This Verse

Most Holy Place 2Altar · Modern: Mount Moriah · 31.78°N, 35.24°E24 verses across 7 books
View all places in 1 Kings 6 →

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