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 6:16KJV
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1 Kings 6:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:16 mean?

1 Kings 6:16 describes how Solomon constructed a special inner room within the temple, using cedar boards to cover both the floor and the walls for a space measuring twenty cubits. This inner room, called the "oracle" or "most holy place," was set apart as the most sacred area of the temple.

Solomon is building the temple in Jerusalem, and this verse details the creation of the innermost sanctuary. The "oracle" refers to the inner sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant would be placed, marking it as the holiest part of the temple. The use of cedar and the specific measurements show the care and reverence given to this sacred space.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:16

  • "oracle" (דְּבִיר, debir): This word means "inner sanctuary" or "most holy place." It highlights that this room was set apart for the most sacred purpose in the temple, housing the Ark of the Covenant.
  • "most holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word is repeated in the phrase "most holy place," emphasizing the extreme holiness and separateness of this inner room compared to the rest of the temple.
  • "boards" (צְלָעָה, tselaʿ): This refers to the wooden planks used to cover the walls and floor, showing the quality and craftsmanship involved in making the sanctuary beautiful and distinct.

Why 1 Kings 6:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple was not just a single open space but had a specially constructed inner sanctuary, emphasizing the importance of holiness and separation in worship.
  • The detailed description of materials and measurements shows the reverence and care taken in building a place for God's presence, connecting to the broader biblical theme of God dwelling among His people.
  • Understanding the structure and terminology helps readers follow the later events in the temple, such as the placement of the Ark and the role of the most holy place in Israel's worship.

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 6:15 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.
  • 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.

“oracle” Hebrew H1687 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:5 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:
  • 1 Kings 6:23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:16 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

“both” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

“sides” Hebrew H3411 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • 1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.