1 Kings 6:31 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:31 mean?

1 Kings 6:31 describes how the entrance to the inner sanctuary (called the "oracle") in Solomon’s temple was made with doors crafted from olive wood, and the doorframe—including the lintel and side posts—took up one-fifth of the wall’s width. This verse highlights the specific materials and proportions used in constructing this sacred part of the temple.

Solomon is overseeing the building of the temple in Jerusalem, and this verse gives details about the doorway leading into the most holy place, where the Ark of the Covenant would be kept. The use of olive wood and the precise measurements show the care and significance given to this central, sacred space in Israel’s worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:31

• "oracle" (דְּבִיר, debir): This word refers to the innermost room of the temple, often called the "Most Holy Place" or "Holy of Holies," where God's presence was believed to dwell. The detail emphasizes the specialness of this area.
• "olive" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) and "tree" (עֵץ, etz): The doors were made from olive wood, a durable and valued material in ancient Israel, suggesting both beauty and strength for the sanctuary entrance.
• "lintel" (אֵיל, eil) and "posts" (מְזוּזָה, mezuzah): These terms point to the structural parts of the doorway, showing that the frame was substantial and carefully crafted, not just the doors themselves.
• "part" (חֲמִישִׁי, chamishi): This word means "a fifth," clarifying that the doorway took up one-fifth of the wall, which gives a sense of the scale and proportion in the temple’s design.

Why 1 Kings 6:31 matters

• The verse clears up that the entrance to the most sacred part of the temple was not ordinary; it was carefully designed with specific materials and measurements, reflecting its importance.
• The mention of olive wood and the exact size of the doorway highlights the attention to detail and the value placed on the temple’s construction, which was central to Israel’s worship life.
• Understanding these details helps readers appreciate the craftsmanship and reverence involved in building a place meant to symbolize God’s presence among the people.