1 Kings 8:64
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
The same day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
The same day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 36
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 36
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
קִדַּ֨שׁ
hallow
H6942
קִדַּ֨שׁ
hallow
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
3 of 36
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר
of the court
H2691
הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר
of the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
7 of 36
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִפְנֵ֣י
that was before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
that was before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 36
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בֵית
the house
H1004
בֵית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
10 of 36
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 36
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 36
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָ֣שָׂה
for there he offered
H6213
עָ֣שָׂה
for there he offered
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 36
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
שָׁ֗ם
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֹלָ֣ה
burnt offerings
H5930
הָֽעֹלָ֣ה
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
16 of 36
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and meat offerings
H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and meat offerings
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
18 of 36
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֶלְבֵ֥י
and the fat
H2459
חֶלְבֵ֥י
and the fat
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
20 of 36
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃
of the peace offerings
H8002
הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃
of the peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
21 of 36
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 36
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙
because the brasen
H5178
הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙
because the brasen
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
24 of 36
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
25 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִפְנֵ֣י
that was before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
that was before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
26 of 36
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
27 of 36
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קָטֹ֗ן
was too little
H6996
קָטֹ֗ן
was too little
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
28 of 36
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
מֵֽהָכִיל֙
to receive
H3557
מֵֽהָכִיל֙
to receive
Strong's:
H3557
Word #:
29 of 36
properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
30 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֹלָ֣ה
burnt offerings
H5930
הָֽעֹלָ֣ה
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
31 of 36
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
32 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and meat offerings
H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and meat offerings
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
33 of 36
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
34 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of dedication of the temple, 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 sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).
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.