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.

1 KINGS 6:34KJV
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1 Kings 6:34 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:34 mean?

1 Kings 6:34 describes how the doors to the inner sanctuary of Solomon’s temple were made from fir wood, and each door was divided into two folding leaves. This means each door was constructed to open in sections, allowing them to fold back rather than swing as a single solid piece.

In this part of the story, the writer is giving details about the construction of the temple Solomon built for God in Jerusalem. The verse focuses on the craftsmanship and design of the temple’s doors, showing both the materials used and the practical design choices made to allow easier access or perhaps to save space. This level of detail highlights the care and skill involved in building the temple.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:34

  • The word for “doors” is דֶּלֶת (delet), which simply means a door or gate, emphasizing the entrance to a significant place.
  • The word for “fir” is בְּרוֹשׁ (berosh), which refers to a type of coniferous tree, often understood as cypress or fir, valued for its strength and durability.
  • The word for “leaves” is צְלָע (tsela‘), which literally means “side” or “panel,” suggesting each door was made of two panels that could fold.
  • The word for “folding” is גָּלִיל (galil), which means something that rolls or folds, indicating the doors were designed to open in a way that allowed the panels to fold back on themselves.

Why 1 Kings 6:34 matters

  • This verse clears up that the temple doors were not just simple slabs but carefully crafted with folding panels, showing advanced carpentry and thoughtful design.
  • The mention of fir wood and folding doors emphasizes the use of quality materials and practical features in the temple, reflecting the importance and reverence given to the building.
  • Understanding this detail helps readers appreciate the larger narrative of 1 Kings 6, where the focus is on the beauty, function, and holiness of the temple as a place set apart for worship.

Where else these words appear

“folding” Hebrew H1550 · used in 3 verses

  • Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

“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.

“leaves” Hebrew H7050 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 27:9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
  • Exodus 38:12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
  • Numbers 4:26 And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.

“leaves” 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 6:16 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.