King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 6:2 Mean?

1 Kings 6:2 in the King James Version says “And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof t...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.”

1 Kings 6:2 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. began: Heb. built

2

And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.

3

And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.

4

And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. of: or, broad within, and narrow without: or, skewed and closed

Read 1 Kings 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.

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 · 14 words
וְהַבַּ֗יִת1 of 14

“And the house”

H1004

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּנָ֜ה3 of 14

“built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ4 of 14

“which king”

H4428

a king

שְׁלֹמֹה֙5 of 14

“Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

לַֽיהוָ֔ה6 of 14

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שִׁשִּׁים7 of 14

“thereof was threescore”

H8346

sixty

אַמָּ֖ה8 of 14

“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)

אָרְכּ֖וֹ9 of 14

“the length”

H753

length

וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים10 of 14

“thereof twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

רָחְבּ֑וֹ11 of 14

“and the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים12 of 14

“thereof thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אַמָּ֖ה13 of 14

“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)

קֽוֹמָתֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“cubits and the height”

H6967

height

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 6:2 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 6:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 40:1-41Ezekiel 41:1-15Revelation 21:16-17Ezra 6:3-4

Test Your Knowledge

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