1 Kings 6:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּ֤בֶן
And he built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
עֶשְׂרִ֨ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#4
אַמָּ֜ה
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#5
מִֽיַּרְכְּותֵ֤י
on the sides
properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess
#6
מִבַּ֣יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
בְּצַלְע֣וֹת
with boards
a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e., leaf); hence, a side, literally (of a person) or figuratively (of an obje
#8
אֲרָזִ֔ים
of cedar
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
#9
מִן
both
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#10
הַקַּרְקַ֖ע
the floor
floor (as if a pavement of pieces or tesseroe), of a building or the sea
#11
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#12
הַקִּיר֑וֹת
and the walls
a wall (as built in a trench)
#13
וַיִּ֤בֶן
And he built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#14
לוֹ֙
H0
#15
מִבַּ֣יִת
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
לִדְבִ֔יר
even for the oracle
the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary
#17
הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃
even for the most
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#18
הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃
even for the most
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources