King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 6:3 Mean?

1 Kings 6:3 in the King James Version says “And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the hous...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Kings 6:3 · 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

5

And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: against the wall: or, upon, or, joining to the wall built chambers: Heb. built floors made chambers: Heb. made ribs

Read 1 Kings 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. Temple architecture followed patterns common to ancient Near Eastern sanctuaries, but Israel's temple distinctly lacked any image of Yahweh, emphasizing His transcendence. 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
וְהָֽאוּלָ֗ם1 of 18

“And the porch”

H197

a vestibule (as bound to the building)

עַל2 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י3 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הֵיכַ֣ל4 of 18

“the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

הַבָּֽיִת׃5 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

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

עֶשְׂרִ֣ים6 of 18

“twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

בָּֽאַמָּ֛ה7 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)

אָרְכּ֔וֹ8 of 18

“was the length”

H753

length

עַל9 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י10 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

רָחְבּ֖וֹ11 of 18

“thereof according to the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

הַבָּֽיִת׃12 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

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

עֶ֧שֶׂר13 of 18

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

בָּֽאַמָּ֛ה14 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)

רָחְבּ֖וֹ15 of 18

“thereof according to the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

עַל16 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י17 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַבָּֽיִת׃18 of 18

“of the house”

H1004

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

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 6:3 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 6:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 4:5John 10:231 Chronicles 28:11Ezekiel 41:152 Chronicles 3:3-4Acts 3:10-11

Test Your Knowledge

1 Kings 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Kings 6 with CommentaryAll 1 Kings ChaptersComplete 1 Kings QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes