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 7:2KJV
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1 Kings 7:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:2 mean?

1 Kings 7:2 describes how King Solomon built a large structure called the "house of the forest of Lebanon," giving its measurements as 100 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, supported by four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams laid across them. This verse focuses on the impressive size and construction materials used for this building, highlighting its grandeur and the use of cedar wood.

The verse is part of a section where the writer details Solomon’s building projects, specifically the structures he built for his own use after finishing the temple. The "house of the forest of Lebanon" was likely a royal palace or an armory, named for the extensive use of cedar wood from Lebanon. The description emphasizes the architectural skill and resources available to Solomon, showing the wealth and power of his reign.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:2

  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word can mean a house, palace, or large building, and here it refers to a grand royal structure, not just a simple dwelling.
  • "forest" (יַעַר, ya'ar): The word means "forest," and in this context, it points to the building being so full of cedar pillars that it resembled a forest, or it may refer to the cedar wood’s origin.
  • "Lebanon" (לְבָנוֹן, Levanon): This is the well-known mountain range famous for its cedar trees, which were highly prized for construction in ancient Israel.
  • "cedar" (אֶרֶז, erez): Cedar wood was valued for its durability and pleasant scent, and its repeated mention underlines the luxury and strength of the building.

Why 1 Kings 7:2 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Solomon’s building projects went beyond the temple and included impressive royal buildings, showing the extent of his kingdom’s resources.
  • The detailed measurements and materials highlight the grandeur and permanence Solomon aimed for, reflecting the importance of his reign in Israel’s history.
  • Understanding the "house of the forest of Lebanon" as a real, physical structure grounds the text in historical reality and helps readers picture the scale and ambition of Solomon’s works.

Where else these words appear

“beams” Hebrew H3773 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
  • 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.

“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.

“height” Hebrew H6967 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

“forest” Hebrew H3293 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Psalms 96:12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
  • Isaiah 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.