1 Kings 6:3

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.

And the porch {H197} before {H6440} the temple {H1964} of the house {H1004}, twenty {H6242} cubits {H520} was the length {H753} thereof, according to the breadth {H7341} of the house {H1004}; and ten {H6235} cubits {H520} was the breadth {H7341} thereof before the house {H1004}.

The hall fronting the temple of the house was thirty-five feet long, the same as the width of the house itself, so that its seventeen-and-a-half-foot width extended frontward from the house.

The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple.

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.

Commentary

1 Kings 6:3 meticulously details the dimensions of the porch, or vestibule, that stood at the entrance of Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse specifies its length as twenty cubits, matching the breadth of the main temple structure, and its breadth as ten cubits, projecting forward from the house itself.

Context

This verse is part of a larger, highly detailed section in 1 Kings chapters 6 and 7, which describes the construction of Solomon's Temple. Built by King Solomon, the son of David, this Temple was the central place of worship for the Israelites, intended as God's dwelling place among His people. The precise architectural specifications given throughout these chapters emphasize the sanctity and importance of this sacred structure. The "porch" (Hebrew: ืึปืœึธึผื, 'Ulam) served as the grand entrance and transition space before entering the Holy Place (the Hekal), setting the tone for the reverence required within God's house. The unit of measurement, the "cubit" (Hebrew: ืึทืžึธึผื”, 'ammah), was a standard length in ancient times, typically representing the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches).

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Order: The meticulous measurements provided for every part of the Temple, including the porch, underscore God's demand for order and excellence in worship and in the building dedicated to Him. This reflects a divine blueprint for sacred spaces.
  • Majesty and Grandeur: The scale of the Temple, even its entrance porch, was designed to convey the immense glory and majesty of the God it housed. It was built to be an awe-inspiring structure, befitting the King of kings.
  • Accessibility and Separation: The porch served as a transitional area, welcoming worshippers while also preparing them for the holiness of the inner sanctuary. It was the public face of the Temple, leading to the more restricted areas where priests ministered.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cubit" (ืึทืžึธึผื”, 'ammah) is a fundamental unit of length in ancient Near Eastern texts, highlighting the historical and cultural context of the building project. The specific dimensions given in this verse, 20 cubits long by 10 cubits wide, are significant, suggesting a carefully planned and proportionally balanced entrance that spanned the entire front of the main sanctuary. This detailed description of the Temple's architecture emphasizes not only its physical construction but also its symbolic significance as a place of divine presence, a concept rooted in the instructions for the Tabernacle.

Practical Application

While we no longer build physical temples for God's dwelling in the same way, this verse reminds us that God values order, beauty, and precision in what is dedicated to Him. For believers today, our lives and our local churches are considered the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). This passage encourages us to consider the care and intentionality with which we "build" our spiritual lives and communities. Just as the Temple's porch was a well-ordered and magnificent entry, our spiritual lives should reflect a welcoming and orderly approach to God, demonstrating reverence and a commitment to His standards.

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Cross-References

  • John 10:23

    And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:3

    Now these [are the things wherein] Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure [was] threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:4

    And the porch that [was] in the front [of the house], the length [of it was] according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height [was] an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

  • Acts 3:10

    And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

  • Acts 3:11

    And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:11

    ยถ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

  • Matthew 4:5

    Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
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