Poole on 1 Kings 6:31-38: Solomon's Temple: The Doors and Inner Courtyard

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Verse 31:[1]  And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree:  the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall (or, fivesquare[2]).

[He made small doors…doorposts of five angles, ‎הָאַ֥יִל מְזוּז֖וֹת חֲמִשִֽׁית׃ [3]]  The lintel, the posts, a pentagon (Montanus).  The lintel and posts were of five sides (Pagnine, Menochius), or of five angles, perhaps because the lintel was not level, and lying flat, but pointed, and rendering the figure of a Δ/Delta (Menochius).  With five-cornered lintel and posts (Tigurinus, similarly Osiander).  The projection was fivefold, but I do not understand this passage (Castalio).  With its posts ordered among themselves (Jonathan); with firm and strong side-posts (Syriac).  And they were, both the lintel and the posts, fivefold (Munster).  He made in the entrance fivefold posts and fivefold lintels, which you will be able easily to imagine, if you picture one post to be by degrees more prominent and narrower (Munster).  Verbatim:  he made of a fifth, understanding, figure; that is, a pentagon.  Others refer it to proportion; that is, the proportion of the lintel and posts to the double-doors was a little less than fivefold:  for the larger the doors are, the thicker the posts and lintel ought to be; that is, they were a fifth part of the doors, or they were equal to a fifth part of the doors (Vatablus).  The lintel with the posts was a fifth of the wall; that is, in its height and breadth it was containing four cubits, which is a quincunx of the wall (Junius, Piscator).  Others thus:  In the posts and lintel was a composition of five boards, so that one might be placed over the other, and project more than the other, and finally the lintel might have the appearance of a little roof.  Others suppose that this door was the fifth in that number:  1.  the Door of the Courtyard of the laity; 2.  of the Courtyard of the priests; 3.  of the Vestibule; 4.  of the Holy Place; 5.  of the Holy of Holies.  It supports these, that afterwards the door of the Holy Place is said to have been the fourth[4] (Martyr).

A fifth part:  that is, Four cubits in height or breadth, whereas the wall was twenty cubits.  Or, a fifth part of the door now mentioned.  Or rather, five-square, having five sides and five angles, which is not incongruous nor unusual in buildings.

Verse 32:[5]  The two doors (or, leaves of the doors[6]) also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers (Heb. openings of flowers[7]), and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.

[And he covered…with gold, ‎אֶת־הַזָּהָֽב׃—וַיָּ֛רֶד [8]]  And he spread out (overlaid [Tigurinus], drew out [Junius and Tremellius]) gold (Pagnine, Montanus).  Using thin sheets of gold, for, had they been thicker, the whole carving would have disappeared (Munster, similarly Vatablus).

Verse 33:[9]  So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall (or, foursquare[10]).

[And he made posts four-cornered, ‎מֵאֵ֖ת רְבִעִֽית׃]  Four-sided (Jonathan, Pagnine), squared (Vatablus), of a fourth (Vatablus, Montanus), that is, a squared figure (Vatablus).  Four-cornered (Tigurinus), fourfold (Munster), of wood squared (Arabic), of a fourth part, that is, the breadth of the posts was equal to a fourth part of the doors (Vatablus).  The fourth proportion, or number of doorways, is reached; of which obscure expression as many interpretations occur, as of the fifth above[11] (Martyr).  Of the fourth of the wall; that is, five cubits broad, and just so many high:  for this was a third of the wall (Piscator out of Junius).  Four-cornered:  There were then in the greater doors twin double-doors, of which the threshold, posts, and lintel were rendering a four-cornered figure (Menochius).

A fourth part of the wall:  Or rather, four-square.  See on verse 31.

Verse 34:  And the two doors were of fir tree:  the (Ezek. 41:23-25) two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.

[And two doorways, one on each side]  On this side and on that (Menochius).  One on the one side, and the other on the other (Lapide).

[Each doorway was twofold, etc.,‎שְׁנֵ֙י צְלָעִ֜ים הַדֶּ֤לֶת הָֽאַחַת֙ גְּלִילִ֔ים וּשְׁנֵ֧י קְלָעִ֛ים הַדֶּ֥לֶת הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית גְּלִילִֽים׃]  The two sides/ribs of the one doorway turning, and the two carvings of the second doorway round (Montanus).  And the two sides of the one double-door, etc., and of the other round (Pagnine, Vatablus), made of a rounded work, namely, from small columns (Vatablus), or turning (Tigurinus); the two hinges of the one door, etc., and of the other round (Jonathan).  Each side of the entrance, etc., was carved (Syriac).  And there were on each side of a door, etc., carvings (Munster).  Twin double-doors, both of which double-doors were folding, etc. (Castalio); so that each door had two wings, which were turning on their hinges (Strigelius).  The two leaves (Hebrew:  sides, or ribs [Piscator]) for the one set of double-doors, and the two leaves carved in the other set of double-doors, were revolving (Junius and Tremellius).  The two sides of the one door, circles; and the two carvings of the second door, circles.  In each side and face of the door twin circles were carved:  but what was within the circles, the following verse relates (Mariana).  Each doorway was foldable, and was having hinges, whereby one part was holding another (Lapide).  The doorway is called twofold, because each of the double-doors was having little doorlets (Menochius).

Verse 35:[12]  And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers:  and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

[And he covered with sheets of gold, in work squared to the rule,‎וְצִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֔ב מְיֻשָּׁ֖ר עַל־הַמְּחֻקֶּֽה׃ [13]]  He covered (or overlaid [Jonathan, Syriac, Arabic, Tigurinus, Junius and Tremellius]) with gold directly upon the impressed work (Montanus), or engraved work (Pagnine).  And he covered (understanding, those carvings) with gold direct, that is, placed directly, aptly, and artistically, upon that which was engraved, namely, so that the carving might afterwards appear (Vatablus).  Others:  with gold which, having been hammered out, was being placed upon the carvings (Munster), that is, according to the measure of that carving (Mariana).  With gold fitted to the carving (Junius and Tremellius).  He overlaid the front mouldings with gold justified (Tigurinus), or gold hammered out over the figure (Jonathan), or with gold of the most exquisite engraving (Syriac).

Verse 36:[14]  And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

[And he built the inner courtyard]  The one closest to the Temple, for the priests, 2 Chronicles 4:9 (Piscator out of Junius, thus Sanchez, Lapide, Menochius, Vatablus).  That this courtyard was only before the vestibule, Ribera maintains; but Josephus, around the whole house[15] (Serarius).  It was under the open heavens, so that the smoke of the sacrifices might dissipate into the air; for here was the altar of burnt-offering (Lapide).  There were also two other courtyards, one for the Israelites (more particularly, clean Israelites [Lapide]), and another common to all (Menochius out of Sanchez).

The inner court, that is, the priests’ court, 2 Chronicles 4:9; so called, because it was next to the temple, which it did encompass.

[With three rows of polished stones, and one row of timbers of cedar (similarly almost all interpreters)]  He built for the courtyard three rows of cut stones, and a row of horizontal beams of cedar (Syriac).  And he made three courses of stone, and a course of pine wood (Arabic).  [They explain this passage in a variety of ways:]  1.  Concerning the three floors or stories, to which were added just so many galleries supported by columns.  The first two rows were of polished stone, the third of cedar, perhaps for this reason, that it might be lighter (Menochius out of Sanchez).  2.  [Others take it of the thickness of the wall:]  The wall was consisting of three rows of stones, and one of cedar beams, namely, erect; more specifically, the inner row, which was covering the stones (Castalio).  3.  [Others understand it of the height:]  The wall was three cubits high, so that the people might see what was being done by the priests within (Martyr), but not enter (Lapide).  Those that would offer sacrifices came here, which in that place they gave into the hands of the Levites, etc.; and, with their faces turned toward the Holy Place, worshipped Jehovah (Martyr).  From that enclosure the priests were preaching to the people standing.  This little wall was made of a triple row of squared stones, and upon the wall were placed cedar beams, neither broader nor narrower than the wall (Munster).

With three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams; which is understood either, 1.  Of the thickness of the wall, the three rows of stones being one within another, and the cedar innermost, as a lining to the wall.  Or, 2.  Of the height of the wall, which was only three cubits high, that the people might see the priests sacrificing upon the altar, which was in their court; each row of stones being about a cubit, and possibly of a differing colour from the rest, and all covered with cedar.  Or rather, 3.  Of so many galleries, one on each side of the temple, whereof the three first were of stone, and the fourth of cedar, all supported with rows of pillars; upon which there were many chambers for the uses of the temple, and of the priests; for it is hard to think that only the making of a low wall about the court would be called a building of the court.  And that a great number of buildings and rooms were necessary for the various offices and works which were to be done, and the treasures of all sorts which were to be laid up in the temple, largely so called, is sufficiently evident from the nature of the things, and divers passages in Scripture:  see, among others, 1 Chronicles 28:11, 12.

Verse 37:[16]  (1 Kings 6:1) In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif.

[In the fourth year]  Understanding, of the kingdom of Solomon (Vatablus, Junius).

[The house was founded]  It began to be founded (Vatablus out of the Hebrews and Jonathan, Junius).  A Synecdoche, of the sort found in verse 1 (Junius).

[In the month Zif, ‎זִו]  April (Pagnine, Vatablus, Syriac, Arabic); thus it is called from the splendor or beauty of the flowers[17] (Vatablus).

[1005 BC]  Verse 38:[18]  And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it (or, with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof[19]).  So was he (compare 1 Kings 6:1) seven years in building it.

[In the eleventh year]  Of the Kingdom of Solomon (Menochius).

[In the month Bul, ‎בּוּל]  That is, October (Pagnine, Vatablus, Syriac).  It corresponds partly to our October, partly to our November.  Thus it is called, either מַבּוּל/flood,[20] because of the rains, which at that time become excessive (Munster), or from נָבַל, to wither, because at that time things produced from the earth wither (Vatablus).

[The house was finished in all its work, and in all its utensils, ‎ לְכָל־דְּבָרָ֖יו וּלְכָל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו]  With all its things (Vatablus, Junius and Tremellius, etc.), and with all its judgments (works [Syriac]) (Vatablus, similarly Montanus, Malvenda); or, even according to its plans (Junius and Tremellius); with all its utensils (parts [Jonathan]) and all that was pertaining to it (Pagnine, Vatablus).  Throughout all its parts, and according to its whole disposition (Munster).  According to all its things, and according to all its rules, or forms, or patterns (certain interpreters in Vatablus).

[Seven years]  Understanding, complete.  Supply, and six months (Vatablus, thus Sanchez, Lapide).  But those pertain to the twelfth year (Vatablus).  Scripture is wont to record the number of whole years, and to omit fractions (Lapide, similarly Sanchez).  Thus 1 Kings 2:11 (Vatablus); 2 Samuel 5:4, 5; Judges 20:46 (Malvenda).  But it is strange that so many men labored in this work for so long a time.  Responses:  1.  It is treated, not only of the construction of the sanctuary, but also of those most spacious courtyards.  2.  Not a little of the time was spent in leveling the ground, which, as Josephus testifies,[21] was previously vast, and uneven, and full of fissures.  3.  At that time the material appears to have been hewn from the royal edifices (Martyr).  4.  A number of subterranean places were constructed, where kitchens, treasuries, storehouses, etc., which were so spacious that into them all the firstfruits and tithes of all Israel were able to be brought, so that they might be able to be distributed at the appointed times to the Levites, etc. (Lapide).  5.  Let other examples be considered.  In the building of the temple of Diana, all Asia, as Pliny relates,[22] labored for two hundred years, but for four hundred years in adorning it.  In the building of one pyramid, three hundred and sixty thousand men labored for twenty years, Pliny’s Natural History 36:12 (Martyr).

Seven years complete, and six months, as appears by computation.  But smaller sums are usually neglected, and swallowed up in the greater, both in Scripture, as Judges 20:46; 2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 2:11, and in other authors.  It is not strange that this work took up so much time; for, 1.  The temple properly so called was for quantity the least part of it, there being very many and great buildings both above ground in the several courts, (for though only the court of the priests be mentioned, yet it is thereby implied that the same thing was proportionably done in the others,) and under ground.  2.  The great curiosity of art which was used here, and the fewness of exquisite artists, required the longer time for the doing of it.  And if the building of Diana’s temple did employ all Asia for two hundred years, and the building of one pyramid employed three hundred and sixty thousand men for twenty years together, both which Pliny affirms; no reasonable man can wonder that this temple was seven years in building.

[1] Hebrew:  ‎וְאֵת֙ פֶּ֣תַח הַדְּבִ֔יר עָשָׂ֖ה דַּלְת֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שָׁ֑מֶן הָאַ֥יִל מְזוּז֖וֹת חֲמִשִֽׁית׃

[2] Hebrew:  ‎חֲמִשִׁית.

[3] אַיִל, lintel or projecting pillar, is related to the verbal root אול, to be in front.

[4] Verse 33.

[5] Hebrew: ‎וּשְׁתֵּי֘ דַּלְת֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שֶׁמֶן֒ וְקָלַ֣ע עֲ֠לֵיהֶם מִקְלְע֙וֹת כְּרוּבִ֧ים וְתִמֹר֛וֹת וּפְטוּרֵ֥י צִצִּ֖ים וְצִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֑ב וַיָּ֛רֶד עַל־הַכְּרוּבִ֥ים וְעַל־הַתִּֽמֹר֖וֹת אֶת־הַזָּהָֽב׃

[6] Hebrew:  ‎דַּלְתוֹת.

[7] Hebrew:  ‎וּפְטוּרֵ֥י צִצִּ֖ים.

[8] רָדַד in the Hiphil signifies to beat out.

[9] Hebrew:  ‎וְכֵ֥ן עָשָׂ֛ה לְפֶ֥תַח הַֽהֵיכָ֖ל מְזוּז֣וֹת עֲצֵי־שָׁ֑מֶן מֵאֵ֖ת רְבִעִֽית׃

[10] Hebrew:  ‎רְבִעִית.

[11] Verse 31.

[12] Hebrew:  ‎וְקָלַ֤ע כְּרוּבִים֙ וְתִ֣מֹר֔וֹת וּפְטֻרֵ֖י צִצִּ֑ים וְצִפָּ֣ה זָהָ֔ב מְיֻשָּׁ֖ר עַל־הַמְּחֻקֶּֽה׃

[13] יָשַׁר, to be straight, smooth, or right, in the Pual signifies to be made even.  חָקָה in the Pual signifies to be carved.

[14] Hebrew:  ‎וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ אֶת־הֶחָצֵ֣ר הַפְּנִימִ֔ית שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה טוּרֵ֣י גָזִ֑ית וְט֖וּר כְּרֻתֹ֥ת אֲרָזִֽים׃

[15] Antiquities 8:3.

[16] Hebrew:  ‎בַּשָּׁנָה֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔ית יֻסַּ֖ד בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה בְּיֶ֖רַח זִֽו׃

[17] זִו/Ziv signifies brightness, or freshness.

[18] Hebrew: ‎וּבַשָּׁנָה֩ הָאַחַ֙ת עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה בְּיֶ֣רַח בּ֗וּל ה֚וּא הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י כָּלָ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְכָל־דְּבָרָ֖יו וּלְכָל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֑ו וַיִּבְנֵ֖הוּ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃

[19] Hebrew:  לְכָל־דְּבָרָ֖יו וּלְכָל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֑ו.

[20] בבל signifies to flow, or to pour forth abundantly.

[21] Jewish War 5:5:1.

[22] Natural History 36:21.