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.

1 KINGS 6:22KJV
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1 Kings 6:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:22 mean?

1 Kings 6:22 describes how Solomon covered the entire temple, including the altar by the inner sanctuary, with gold until all the work was finished. This verse highlights the extraordinary care and expense taken to make the temple a place of great beauty and significance.

Solomon is overseeing the building of the temple in Jerusalem, a central event for Israel. The "oracle" refers to the innermost part of the temple, also called the Most Holy Place, and the altar mentioned is likely the altar of incense. Covering these with gold shows the importance and sacredness of the space where people believed God’s presence dwelled.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:22

  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word refers to the temple itself, emphasizing that the entire structure, not just select parts, was covered in gold.
  • "Overlaid" (צָפָה, tsaphah): This verb means to cover or plate, often with a thin layer of metal. Here, it stresses the thoroughness and care in making the temple splendid.
  • "Gold" (זָהָב, zahav): Gold was a symbol of value and purity. Its use throughout the temple underlines the temple’s importance and the desire to honor God.
  • "Oracle" (דְּבִיר, debir): This term points to the Most Holy Place, the innermost room where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, highlighting the special attention given to the holiest area.

Why 1 Kings 6:22 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that only certain parts of the temple were decorated; it shows that the entire building, including the most sacred spaces, was made as beautiful and precious as possible.
  • The emphasis on gold connects the temple to earlier descriptions of sacred spaces in the Bible, like the tabernacle, showing continuity in how holy places were treated.
  • Understanding the level of detail and expense helps readers grasp the deep respect and awe the Israelites had for the place where they believed God’s presence was especially near.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“overlaid” 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 6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

“finished” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.