And above were costly stones, after the measures of hewed stones, and cedars.

1 KINGS 7:11KJV
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1 Kings 7:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:11 mean?

1 Kings 7:11 describes how the upper parts of the building were constructed using expensive stones, carefully cut to size, along with cedar wood. The verse highlights the quality and craftsmanship involved in building, especially in the materials chosen for the upper sections.

This verse is part of the account of Solomon building his palace complex in Jerusalem. The writer is giving details about the construction, emphasizing that not only the foundations but also the upper stories were made with the finest materials. The mention of both costly stones and cedar shows the wealth and attention to detail in Solomon’s building projects.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:11

  • "Costly" (יְקָרָה, yeqarah) means precious or valuable. The use of this word stresses that the stones were not just functional but chosen for their high quality and worth.
  • "Measures" (מִדָּה, middah) refers to the exact size or dimensions. This suggests the stones were not rough or random but carefully shaped to fit, showing skilled workmanship.
  • "Cedars" (אֶרֶז, ’erez) points to cedar wood, which was prized for its strength and fragrance. Including cedar alongside stone highlights the luxury and durability of the construction.

Why 1 Kings 7:11 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that only the lower or hidden parts of Solomon’s buildings were made with care; even the upper parts were built with the best materials available.
  • The focus on both stone and cedar connects this building to the temple, which was also constructed with these materials, showing a consistent standard of excellence in Solomon’s projects.
  • The attention to detail in the description helps the reader appreciate the scale, expense, and artistry involved in ancient royal construction, not just its religious or political significance.

Where else these words appear

“stones” 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 7:9 All these were of costly stones, according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside toward the great court.
  • 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.

“costly” Hebrew H3368 · used in 36 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
  • Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

“measures” Hebrew H4060 · used in 53 verses

  • Exodus 26:2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.
  • Nehemiah 3:21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
  • Ezekiel 40:28 And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;

“cedars” Hebrew H730 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
  • 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.
  • Psalms 148:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: