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.

1 KINGS 6:15KJV
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1 Kings 6:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:15 mean?

1 Kings 6:15 describes how Solomon lined the inside walls, floor, and ceiling of the temple with cedar wood and covered the floor with planks of fir. The verse gives a detailed account of the materials and craftsmanship used to finish the temple’s interior.

Solomon is overseeing the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, a major project for Israel. This verse highlights the care and quality invested in the temple, using valuable woods like cedar and fir to create a beautiful and lasting place for worship. The focus is on the physical details, showing the temple’s importance and the resources dedicated to it.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:15

  • בָּנָה (banah, "built"): This word emphasizes the act of constructing or establishing, showing Solomon’s active role in shaping the temple’s interior.
  • אֶרֶז (’erez, "cedar"): Cedar was a prized wood in the ancient world, known for its durability and pleasant scent. Its use here underlines the temple’s grandeur and the desire for lasting beauty.
  • בְּרוֹשׁ (berosh, "fir"): Fir wood, used for the floor, was also valued for its strength. The mention of different woods for different parts of the temple points to thoughtful design and the use of the best materials available.

Why 1 Kings 6:15 matters

  • This verse clears up that the temple’s interior was not left as bare stone but was carefully finished with high-quality wood, reflecting both beauty and reverence.
  • The detailed description connects to the wider passage by showing the lengths Solomon went to honor God with the best resources and skilled craftsmanship.
  • Understanding the materials used helps readers appreciate the temple’s significance in Israel’s history and why it was considered a marvel of its time.

Where else these words appear

“floor” Hebrew H7172 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 5:17 And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:
  • 1 Kings 6:16 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.
  • 1 Kings 7:7 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.

“fir” Hebrew H1265 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
  • Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

“boards” Hebrew H6763 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • Exodus 36:25 And for the other side of the tabernacle, which is toward the north corner, he made twenty boards,
  • 1 Kings 6:34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.

“covered” Hebrew H6823 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
  • Exodus 36:36 And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
  • 1 Kings 6:22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.