1 Kings 6:3

Authorized King James Version

And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָֽאוּלָ֗ם
And the porch
a vestibule (as bound to the building)
#2
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#3
פְּנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
הֵיכַ֣ל
the temple
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
#5
הַבָּֽיִת׃
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#7
בָּֽאַמָּ֛ה
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)
#8
אָרְכּ֔וֹ
was the length
length
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
פְּנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
רָחְבּ֖וֹ
thereof according to the breadth
width (literally or figuratively)
#12
הַבָּֽיִת׃
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
עֶ֧שֶׂר
and ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#14
בָּֽאַמָּ֛ה
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)
#15
רָחְבּ֖וֹ
thereof according to the breadth
width (literally or figuratively)
#16
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
פְּנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#18
הַבָּֽיִת׃
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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