1 Kings 6:8

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

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.

Free Bible Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

On the south side of the temple there was an entrance at the ground level, then one went up by stairs to the middle level, and from the middle to the third level.

Noah Webster Bible

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;

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Context

The Chambers

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.

Summary

This verse describes the construction of the temple during Solomon's reign, highlighting the quality of the building materials used - stones and timber that were prepared at the quarry and brought to the construction site. The meticulous planning and craftsmanship involved in building the temple reflect the reverence and importance placed on creating a sacred space for worship. The verse underscores the significance of dedicating the best resources and efforts to honor God and His dwelling place among His people. It also symbolizes the care and attention required in building our lives on a foundation of faith and devotion to God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 which winded about for the sake of taking up less room, and which led up to the door of the middle chamber, on the south of which they went into it; according to the Vulgate Latin and Tigurine versions, they went up in the forth of a cockle, or the shell of a snail; in like manner as was the ascent of the temple of Pan at Alexandria, as Strabo (u) relates: and out of the middle into the third; the third chamber, and by winding stairs up to that; and the like might be on the north side, though not expressed, and on the west: the Jews say (w), that in the second temple, these winding stairs went from the northeast to the northwest, whereby they went up to the roof of the chambers, and so to the south and west; with this compare Eze 41:7; and which may represent the windings and turnings of God's people in this present state, their many afflictions and tribulations, through which they pass from one state to another. (u) Geograph. l. 17. p. 547. (w) Misn. Middot, c. 4. sect. 5. See Lightfoot's Prospect of the Temple, &c. c. 12. p. 1071.