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1 Kings 8:64

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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.

The same day {H3117} did the king {H4428} hallow {H6942} the middle {H8432} of the court {H2691} that was before {H6440} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}: for there he offered {H6213} burnt offerings {H5930}, and meat offerings {H4503}, and the fat {H2459} of the peace offerings {H8002}: because the brasen {H5178} altar {H4196} that was before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} was too little {H6996} to receive {H3557} the burnt offerings {H5930}, and meat offerings {H4503}, and the fat {H2459} of the peace offerings {H8002}.

The same day, the king consecrated the center of the courtyard in front of the house of ADONAI, because he had to offer the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings there. For the bronze altar before ADONAI was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat of the peace offerings.

On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of Jehovah; for there he offered the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar that was before Jehovah was too little to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings.

Commentary

1 Kings 8:64 describes a pivotal moment during the dedication of Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the extraordinary scale of the worship and sacrifice offered on that momentous day.

Context

Following the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the newly completed Temple and King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication (see 1 Kings 8:22-53), the focus shifts to the sacrificial acts. The glory of the Lord had already filled the house (as noted in 1 Kings 8:11), signifying divine approval. The dedication involved an unprecedented volume of offerings, necessitating an expansion of the sacrificial space beyond the standard altar.

Key Themes

  • Grandeur of Worship: The act of "hallowing the middle of the court" signifies Solomon setting apart a temporary, additional area for sacred use. This was not a permanent alteration but a special provision for the immense number of offerings during this unique dedication ceremony. It underscores the profound reverence and joy associated with the Temple's completion.
  • Abundance of Sacrifice: The verse explicitly states that the regular "brasen altar" (the bronze altar in the Temple courtyard) was "too little" to accommodate all the offerings. This necessitated the use of the general court area. This immense quantity of burnt offerings (for atonement and complete devotion), meat offerings (grain offerings, for tribute and thanksgiving), and peace offerings (for fellowship and thanksgiving) demonstrates the nation's profound commitment and gratitude to God.
  • Solomon's Leadership: As king, Solomon personally oversaw and facilitated this massive act of worship, demonstrating his devotion and leadership in spiritual matters for the nation of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Hallow the middle of the court": To hallow means to consecrate, to set apart as holy. This was a temporary sanctification of a larger area to meet the immediate, overwhelming need for sacrifice, making it suitable for sacred use for the duration of the dedication.
  • "Meat offerings": In the King James Version, "meat" often refers to food in general, particularly grain or meal, rather than animal flesh. Here, it refers to the Hebrew minchah, or grain offering, typically offered alongside burnt offerings and peace offerings.
  • "Brasen altar": This refers to the large bronze altar located in the outer court of the Temple, where animal sacrifices were typically made. Its inadequacy for this specific occasion highlights the extraordinary nature of the Temple dedication.

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principle of generous and heartfelt devotion to God remains. This verse reminds us that true worship can sometimes require going beyond the ordinary, making extraordinary provisions to honor God, especially during significant spiritual milestones. It emphasizes giving our best and holding nothing back in our commitment to the Lord, whether in time, resources, or service.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 4:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:7 (2 votes)

    Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.