1 Kings 6:8
1 Kings 6:8 in Multiple Translations
The entrance to the bottom floor was on the south side of the temple. A stairway led up to the middle level, and from there to the third floor.
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.
The door for the middle side-chambers was in the right side of the house: and they went up by winding stairs into the middle story, and out of the middle into the third.
The door to the lowest side rooms was in the right side of the house; and they went up by twisting steps into the middle rooms, and from the middle into the third.
The entrance to the ground floor was on the south side of the Temple. Stairs led to the first floor, and then on to the second floor.
The doore of the middle chamber was in the right side of the house, and men went vp with winding stayres into the middlemost, and out of the middlemost into the third.
The opening of the middle side [is] at the right shoulder of the house, and with windings they go up on the middle one, and from the middle one unto the third.
The door for the middle side rooms was in the right side of the house. They went up by winding stairs into the middle floor, and out of the middle into the third.
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber , and out of the middle into the third;
The door for the middle side was on the right hand of the house: and by winding stairs they went up to the middle room, and from the middle to the third.
The entrance to the bottom level/story of that attached structure was on the south side of the temple. There were stairs from the bottom level/story to the middle and top level/story.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 6:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 6:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פֶּ֗תַח
הַ/צֵּלָע֙
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
אֶל
כֶּ֥תֶף
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
הַ/יְמָנִ֑ית
וּ/בְ/לוּלִּ֗ים
יַֽעֲלוּ֙
עַל
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
וּ/מִן
הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֖ה
אֶל
הַ/שְּׁלִשִֽׁים
פֶּ֗תַח
pethach
H6607
entrance
N-ms
הַ/צֵּלָע֙
tsêlâʻ
H6763
side
Art | N-cs
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
tîykôwn
H8484
middle
Art | Adj
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
כֶּ֥תֶף
kâthêph
H3802
shoulder
N-fs
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
הַ/יְמָנִ֑ית
yᵉmânîy
H3233
right
Art | Adj
וּ/בְ/לוּלִּ֗ים
lûwl
H3883
stairs
Conj | Prep | N-mp
יַֽעֲלוּ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
tîykôwn
H8484
middle
Art | Adj
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
from
Conj | Prep
הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֖ה
tîykôwn
H8484
middle
Art | Adj
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
הַ/שְּׁלִשִֽׁים
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
third
Art | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 6:8
פֶּ֗תַח
pethach
H6607
"entrance"
N-ms
A pethach is an entrance or doorway, like the gates of Jerusalem or the door to the temple, often symbolizing transition or access to a new place.
Definition: opening, doorway, entrance
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place. See also: Genesis 4:7; Judges 9:40; Psalms 24:7.
הַ/צֵּלָע֙
tsêlâʻ
H6763
"side"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a side or a rib, and it's used to describe parts of the body or objects. It's also used architecturally to describe beams or planks in buildings like the temple.
Definition: 1) side, rib, beam 1a) rib (of man) 1b) rib (of hill, ridge, etc) 1c) side-chambers or cells (of temple structure) 1d) rib, plank, board (of cedar or fir) 1e) leaves (of door) 1f) side (of ark) Aramaic equivalent: a.la (עֲלַע "rib" H5967)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib, side (chamber). See also: Genesis 2:21; Exodus 38:7; Ezekiel 41:26.
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
tîykôwn
H8484
"middle"
Art | Adj
Tiykon means middle or central, describing something as being in the middle or midst of something else. It is used to describe physical locations or positions.
Definition: middle
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: middle(-most), midst. See also: Exodus 26:28; 1 Kings 6:8; Ezekiel 42:6.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כֶּ֥תֶף
kâthêph
H3802
"shoulder"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for shoulder describes the upper end of the arm, where garments hang, and is used in Exodus 28:7 to describe the shoulder pieces of the ephod.
Definition: 1) shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope 1a) shoulder, shoulder-blade (of man) 1b) shoulder, shoulder-pieces (of animals) 1c) side, slope (of mountain) 1d) supports (of laver)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: arm, corner, shoulder(-piece), side, undersetter. See also: Exodus 27:14; 2 Kings 11:11; Isaiah 11:14.
הַ/בַּ֖יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הַ/יְמָנִ֑ית
yᵉmânîy
H3233
"right"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means right or right hand, and is also used to mean south, as in the southern direction, in the Bible.
Definition: : right right, right hand Also means: ye.ma.ni (יְמָנִי ": south" H3233H)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (on the) right (hand). See also: Exodus 29:20; 1 Kings 6:8; Ezekiel 47:2.
וּ/בְ/לוּלִּ֗ים
lûwl
H3883
"stairs"
Conj | Prep | N-mp
This word means a spiral staircase or winding stair, like the kind found in ancient buildings. It is used to describe a specific type of stairway.
Definition: staircase, winding stair, shaft or enclosed space with steps or ladder
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: winding stair. Compare H3924 (לֻלָאָה). See also: 1 Kings 6:8.
יַֽעֲלוּ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/תִּ֣יכֹנָ֔ה
tîykôwn
H8484
"middle"
Art | Adj
Tiykon means middle or central, describing something as being in the middle or midst of something else. It is used to describe physical locations or positions.
Definition: middle
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: middle(-most), midst. See also: Exodus 26:28; 1 Kings 6:8; Ezekiel 42:6.
וּ/מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/תִּֽיכֹנָ֖ה
tîykôwn
H8484
"middle"
Art | Adj
Tiykon means middle or central, describing something as being in the middle or midst of something else. It is used to describe physical locations or positions.
Definition: middle
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: middle(-most), midst. See also: Exodus 26:28; 1 Kings 6:8; Ezekiel 42:6.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
הַ/שְּׁלִשִֽׁים
shᵉlîyshîy
H7992
"third"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means third in a sequence, like a third day or year. It is used in the Bible to describe time, rank, or quantity, such as the third day of creation in Genesis.
Definition: 1) third, one third, third part, third time 1a) ordinal number
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: third (part, rank, time), three (years old). See also: Genesis 1:13; 1 Kings 22:2; Isaiah 15:5.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 6:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 6:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 6:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 6:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 6:8
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 6:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
Context — The Chambers
6The bottom floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits, and the third floor seven cubits. He also placed offset ledges around the outside of the temple, so that nothing would be inserted into its walls.
7The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.
8The entrance to the bottom floor was on the south side of the temple. A stairway led up to the middle level, and from there to the third floor.
9So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar. 10He built chambers all along the temple, each five cubits high and attached to the temple with beams of cedar.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 41:6–7 | The side rooms were arranged one above another in three levels of thirty rooms each. There were ledges all around the wall of the temple to serve as supports for the side rooms, so that the supports would not be fastened into the wall of the temple itself. The side rooms surrounding the temple widened at each successive level, because the structure surrounding the temple ascended by stages corresponding to the narrowing of the temple wall as it rose upward. And so a stairway went up from the lowest story to the highest, through the middle one. |
1 Kings 6:8 Summary
The temple had different levels, with a stairway leading up to each one, showing us that our relationship with God is a journey with different stages. Just like the temple, our lives should be built with care and attention to detail, with a focus on growing closer to God, as seen in Psalm 84:5-7 and Matthew 16:24-25. As we climb the 'stairway' of our spiritual journey, we can trust that God will guide us and help us progress in our relationship with Him, just as He did with the Israelites in Exodus 13:21-22.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the different levels in the temple?
The different levels in the temple, as described in 1 Kings 6:6, likely represented the progression of one's relationship with God, from the outer court to the inner sanctum, much like the journey from Exodus 33:7 to the Holy of Holies in Exodus 26:33-34.
Why was the entrance to the bottom floor on the south side of the temple?
The south side entrance may have been chosen for its symbolic significance, as the south represented the direction of the sun and light, much like the symbolism of light in Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12.
What can we learn from the construction of the temple's stairway?
The stairway leading up to the middle and third levels, as described in 1 Kings 6:8, reminds us that our walk with God is a progressive journey, much like the progression from 2 Corinthians 3:18 to Ephesians 4:13, where we are continually being transformed into the image of Christ.
How does the temple's design relate to our spiritual lives?
The temple's design, including its different levels and stairway, serves as a reminder that our spiritual lives should be marked by progression, intimacy, and a deepening relationship with God, as seen in Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'levels' in my own spiritual journey, and how can I progress to deeper intimacy with God?
- How can I apply the principle of progressive growth in my relationship with God, as seen in the temple's design?
- What 'stairway' is God calling me to climb in my own life, and what steps can I take to obey Him?
- In what ways can I build my life as a 'temple' for God's presence, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 6:8
The door of the middle chamber [was] in the right side of the house,.... The south side of it: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle [chamber]; which were outside the chambers, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 6:8
The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
The door for the middle chamber, i.e. by which they entered to go up to the middle chamber or chambers, to wit, such as were in the middle story. In the right side, i.e. in the south side, called the right side here, and in the Hebrew text, , and in other authors; because when a man looks towards the east, or sun-rising, which is esteemed the most glorious part of the heavens, and to which men most frequently look for divers reasons, the south is on his right hand; whereby it is implied that there was another door on the left, or the north side, leading to the chambers on that side, though for brevity sake it be not mentioned here. With winding stairs; which were either, 1. Within the thickness of the temple wall, as many think; which is not probable, as tending to the great weakening of the wall; especially in the upper parts, where the wall was much narrower. And if such care was taken to preserve the walls entire and unbroken, that there might not be small holes made into it for the fastening of the beams of the chambers, , it seems very absurd and incredible that there should be made such great breaches within them, as the stairs would require. Or rather, 2. Without the wall, and without the chambers too, as leading up to the gallery out of which they went into the several chambers. Into the middle chamber, or rather, into the middle story, or row of chambers, and so in the following words, out of the middle story; for these stairs could not lead up into each of the chambers, nor was it needful or convenient it should do so, but only into the story, which was sufficient for the use of all the chambers.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
1 Kings 6:8 The door for the middle chamber [was] in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle [chamber], and out of the middle into the third.Ver. 8. And they went up with winding stairs.] We must also aspire to perfection: there should be continual ascensions in our hearts, neither may we rest till we have set our feet upon the battlements of heaven. See St Paul’ s eagerness, Philippians 3:12-14.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
(5-10) The general meaning of these verses is clear, though some of the words are doubtful. Round three sides of the Temple was built a kind of aisle, opening, however, outwards and not into the Temple, having three storeys of low chambers (each only five cubits high), so arranged that the beams of their roofs were supported on rests on the outside of the wall (each rest being a cubit wide), leaving the wall itself intact. Thus the chambers of the lowest storey were narrowest—five cubits broad; the second storey six cubits, and the highest storey seven cubits broad. The higher storeys (see 1 Kings 6:8), in which the chambers no doubt opened into one another, were approached by a staircase, having an external entrance on the right side of the building; the chambers of the lowest storey probably had external doors of their own. Above the highest storey were still five cubits of wall, which would give room for the windows (like clerestory windows) previously mentioned. Nothing is said of the use of these chambers; but they would be, no doubt, for residence of the priests, stores for the Temple, and furniture. The word rendered “chambers” in the former part of 1 Kings 6:5 is a singular noun, signifying the whole of this aisle or side building; the “chambers” in the latter part of the verse—properly, “side pieces.” or “ribs denote the separate apartments, or perhaps each of the storeys of the building.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 6:8
8. The door for the middle chamber] R.V. middle side-chambers. The LXX. and Targum here give ‘lowest’ instead of ‘middle;’ doubtless because otherwise there is no mode of access to the lower side-chambers specified. The manner of reaching the middle story is sufficiently indicated in the next clause. On the contrary the compiler of Kings may have considered that there was no need to mention any entrance to the lower row of chambers. That would be a matter of course, and there may have been more than one, but the place and way of reaching the other two flights of rooms did need notice. There may also have been some access from the lowest side chambers into the Temple, if these chambers were used for storing the sacred oil and other provisions for the service. in the right side of the house] The word rendered ‘side’ is literally shoulder, and may indicate that part of the building nearest the porch, which would be considered the face of the Temple.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 6:8
The door for the middle chamber - i. e., the door which gave access to the mid-most “set of chambers.” The chambers on the ground-floor were possibly reached each by their own door in the outer wall of the lean-to.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 6:8
8. The door for the middle chamber was in the right side — The middle chamber of the lower story is here meant.