King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:64 Mean?

1 Kings 8:64 in the King James Version says “The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered bur... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

1 Kings 8:64 · KJV


Context

62

And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.

63

And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

64

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

65

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

66

On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. blessed: or, thanked


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of dedication 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 sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

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. 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 · 36 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 36

The same day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא2 of 36
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

קִדַּ֨שׁ3 of 36

hallow

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ4 of 36

did the king

H4428

a king

אֶת5 of 36
H853

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

תּ֣וֹךְ6 of 36

the middle

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר7 of 36

of the court

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

אֲשֶׁר֙8 of 36
H834

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

לִפְנֵ֣י9 of 36

that was 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

בֵית10 of 36

the house

H1004

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

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 36

of the LORD

H3068

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

כִּי12 of 36
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָ֣שָׂה13 of 36

for there he offered

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שָׁ֗ם14 of 36
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת15 of 36
H853

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

הָֽעֹלָ֣ה16 of 36

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְאֶת17 of 36
H853

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

הַמִּנְחָ֔ה18 of 36

and meat offerings

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְאֵ֖ת19 of 36
H853

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

חֶלְבֵ֥י20 of 36

and the fat

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃21 of 36

of the peace offerings

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

כִּֽי22 of 36
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִזְבַּ֤ח23 of 36

altar

H4196

an altar

הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙24 of 36

because the brasen

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר25 of 36
H834

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

לִפְנֵ֣י26 of 36

that was 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

יְהוָ֔ה27 of 36

of the LORD

H3068

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

קָטֹ֗ן28 of 36

was too little

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

מֵֽהָכִיל֙29 of 36

to receive

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

אֶת30 of 36
H853

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

הָֽעֹלָ֣ה31 of 36

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְאֶת32 of 36
H853

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

הַמִּנְחָ֔ה33 of 36

and meat offerings

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְאֵ֖ת34 of 36
H853

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

חֶלְבֵ֥י35 of 36

and the fat

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃36 of 36

of the peace offerings

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks


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 8:64 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 8:64 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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