Keraia
1 Kings 7

1 Kings 7:2

Solomon’s Palace Complex · 1 Kings 7:1–12
Read 1 Kings 7

Translations

Modern
He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting the cedar beams.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon; a hundred cubits was its length, and fifty cubits its width, and thirty cubits its height, with four rows of cedar pillars and cedar beams on the pillars.
Latin
Ædificavit quoque domum saltus Libani centum cubitorum longitudinis, et quinquaginta cubitorum latitudinis, et triginta cubitorum altitudinis: et quatuor deambulacra inter columnas cedrinas: ligna quippe cedrina exciderat in columnas.

Original

Hebrew
English
He built the House of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high, with four rows of cedar pillars supporting the cedar beams.

Notes

1 Kings 7:2–5

The House of the Forest of Lebanon got its name because it used a lot of cedar wood. It held 300 gold shields (1 Kings 10:16–17) and likely served as both a treasury and an armory (see 1 Kings 12:25–28; Isaiah 22:8). The Egyptian pharaoh Shishak later took the shields as loot (1 Kings 14:27).

1 Kings 7:1–12

Before describing the temple's furnishings, the writer talks about the construction of Solomon's palace complex. Building this complex took almost twice as long (thirteen years) as building the temple (seven years, 1 Kings 6:38). The entire project lasted twenty years (1 Kings 9:10). Although construction details are brief, archaeological finds of two of Solomon's buildings give us an idea of the palace's appearance. Despite its grandeur, Solomon's palace is not the main focus; the author is more interested in the temple, where God resides.

1 Kings 6:1–8:66

The construction of the Temple and palace complex, along with the temple's dedication celebration, are key events in the 1 Kings account of Solomon's time. The temple, built to honor God, was Israel's most important building. Therefore, the writer of 1 Kings documented its construction details thoroughly.

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Ancient Law Codes Solomon’s Wisdom

Events

Measurements

  • thirty cubits high: About 150 ft x 75 ft x 45 ft (45.7 m x 22.9 m x 13.7 m)

Places

House of the Forest: A building in Solomon's palace complex

Glossary

Beam House of the Forest of Lebanon Jaar Kings, Books of First and Second Lebanon Palace Porch Solomon (Person) Temple

Topics

Cedar used in Solomon's Palace Forests: Lebanon Lebanon: |House of the Forest of| Lebanon: Solomon Built: The House of the Forest of Palace of Solomon Solomon: Builds his House, the Forest of Lebanon The Cedar used In Building Palaces