And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

1 KINGS 6:36KJV
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1 Kings 6:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 6:36 mean?

1 Kings 6:36 describes how Solomon built the inner courtyard of the temple using three layers of carefully cut stone and one layer of cedar wood beams. This verse highlights the specific construction method and materials used for this important part of the temple complex.

In this part of the story, the writer is recording the details of Solomon’s building project for the temple in Jerusalem. The “inner court” refers to a special enclosed area close to the temple itself, and the verse shows the care and quality involved in its construction. The mention of both stone and cedar emphasizes the combination of strength and beauty in the temple’s design.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 6:36

  • "built" (בָּנָה, banah): This word means to construct or build, and its use here points to intentional, skilled craftsmanship rather than something quickly assembled.
  • "inner" (פְּנִימִי, penimi): This word means “inner” or “inside,” making it clear that this court was not the outer area but a special, more restricted space near the temple.
  • "hewed stone" (גָּזִית, gazit): This term refers to stone that has been carefully cut or shaped, showing that the construction was precise and not just rough stonework.
  • "cedar beams" (אֶרֶז, erez and קוֹרוֹת, korot): Cedar was a prized wood, known for its durability and pleasant smell, and beams (korot) were structural supports. Their use here suggests both strength and a sense of luxury.

Why 1 Kings 6:36 matters

  • This verse clears up that the temple’s inner court was not just a simple wall or fence but was built with significant care, using both stone and wood in a specific pattern.
  • The detail about “three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams” connects to the broader emphasis in 1 Kings 6 on the quality and beauty of Solomon’s temple, showing the importance placed on worship spaces.
  • Understanding the construction details helps readers picture the temple more accurately and appreciate the resources and effort invested in its creation.

Where else these words appear

“beams” Hebrew H3773 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:2 He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.
  • 1 Kings 7:12 And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

“stone” Hebrew H1496 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • 1 Kings 7:11 And above were costly stones, after the measures of hewed stones, and cedars.
  • Isaiah 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

“rows” Hebrew H2905 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
  • Exodus 39:12 And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
  • 1 Kings 7:18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

“inner” Hebrew H6442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
  • Ezekiel 10:3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
  • Ezekiel 41:17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.