1 Kings 7:8

Authorized King James Version

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And his house where he dwelt had another court within the porch, which was of the like work. Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch.

Original Language Analysis

וּבַ֜יִת And his house H1004
וּבַ֜יִת And his house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 1 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵ֨שֶׁב where he dwelt H3427
יֵ֨שֶׁב where he dwelt
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 3 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁ֜ם H8033
שָׁ֜ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 4 of 20
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
חָצֵ֣ר court H2691
חָצֵ֣ר court
Strong's: H2691
Word #: 5 of 20
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הָֽאַחֶ֗רֶת had another H312
הָֽאַחֶ֗רֶת had another
Strong's: H312
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
וּבַ֜יִת And his house H1004
וּבַ֜יִת And his house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 7 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כָּֽאוּלָ֖ם the porch H197
כָּֽאוּלָ֖ם the porch
Strong's: H197
Word #: 8 of 20
a vestibule (as bound to the building)
כַּמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה which was of the like work H4639
כַּמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה which was of the like work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 9 of 20
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
הַזֶּ֖ה H2088
הַזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 10 of 20
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
הָיָ֑ה H1961
הָיָ֑ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 11 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וּבַ֜יִת And his house H1004
וּבַ֜יִת And his house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 12 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֤ה made H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֤ה made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 13 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְבַת daughter H1323
לְבַת daughter
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 14 of 20
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
פַּרְעֹה֙ for Pharaoh's H6547
פַּרְעֹה֙ for Pharaoh's
Strong's: H6547
Word #: 15 of 20
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָקַ֣ח whom he had taken H3947
לָקַ֣ח whom he had taken
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 17 of 20
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 18 of 20
shelomah, david's successor
כָּֽאוּלָ֖ם the porch H197
כָּֽאוּלָ֖ם the porch
Strong's: H197
Word #: 19 of 20
a vestibule (as bound to the building)
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 20 of 20
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

And his house where he dwelt had another court within the porch, which was of the like work. Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of temple furnishings and solomon's palace, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

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