1 Kings 6:30

And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.

And the floor {H7172} of the house {H1004} he overlaid {H6823} with gold {H2091}, within {H6441} and without {H2435}.

He overlaid the floor of the house with gold, both inside the sanctuary and outside it.

And he overlaid the temple floor with gold in both the inner and outer sanctuaries.

And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.

Commentary

1 Kings 6:30 describes a striking detail of the construction of King Solomon's Temple: "And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without." This verse highlights the unparalleled lavishness and meticulous care taken in building the sacred dwelling place for God.

Context

This verse is found within a highly detailed section of 1 Kings chapters 6-8, which chronicles the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. After the initial dimensions and basic structure are described, the text delves into the exquisite materials and adornments used. The use of cedar, fir, and precious stones is mentioned, but the most prominent material is gold. This verse specifically emphasizes that not only the walls and furnishings, but even the very floor of the temple was covered in this most valuable metal.

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Opulence and Dedication: The decision to overlay the floor with gold, a surface constantly walked upon, speaks volumes about the immense wealth of King Solomon and the extraordinary dedication given to building a house for the Lord. It signifies that no expense was spared in honoring God.
  • The Glory and Majesty of God: The Temple's breathtaking grandeur was designed to reflect the glory and majesty of God Himself. Gold, universally recognized for its purity, beauty, and enduring value, was a fitting symbol for the dwelling place of the Most High, emphasizing His supreme worthiness.
  • Holiness and Set-Apartness: Every part of the Temple, from its foundation to its roof, and even its floor, was consecrated and set apart for sacred use. The gold overlay underscored the profound holiness of the space, distinguishing it from all other structures and signifying where God's unique presence would reside among His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "within and without" (ืžึดื‘ึผึทื™ึดืช ื•ึผืžึดื—ื•ึผืฅ - mibbayit u'michutz) literally translates to "from house and from outside." In this architectural context, it emphasizes the thoroughness of the gold overlay. It indicates that all visible floor surfaces, both in the inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place) and possibly even the porch or entrance areas of the main temple structure, were completely covered. It conveys a sense of pervasive and complete luxury, leaving no part of the sacred floor untouched by the precious metal.

Practical Application

While believers today do not build physical temples of gold, the principle behind 1 Kings 6:30 remains profoundly relevant. It challenges us to consider the quality of our devotion and offerings to God. The lavishness of the Temple's floor teaches that nothing is too valuable or too 'common' to be consecrated to the Lord. Our lives, talents, resources, and even our everyday actions should be offered in a way that reflects His glory and worthiness, echoing the call to give our best offerings to God. It reminds us that God's presence makes any place, or any life, holy and valuable.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 21:18

    And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

  • Revelation 21:21

    And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

  • Isaiah 60:17

    For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

  • Isaiah 54:11

    ยถ O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, [and] not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

  • Isaiah 54:12

    And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
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