1 Kings 7:12 The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

◄ 1 Kings 7:12 ►

New International Version
The great courtyard was surrounded by a wall of three courses of dressed stone and one course of trimmed cedar beams, as was the inner courtyard of the temple of the LORD with its portico.

New Living Translation
The walls of the great courtyard were built so that there was one layer of cedar beams between every three layers of finished stone, just like the walls of the inner courtyard of the LORD’s Temple with its entry room.

English Standard Version
The great court had three courses of cut stone all around, and a course of cedar beams; so had the inner court of the house of the LORD and the vestibule of the house.

Berean Standard Bible
The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

King James Bible
And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

New King James Version
The great court was enclosed with three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams. So were the inner court of the house of the LORD and the vestibule of the temple.

New American Standard Bible
So the large courtyard all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams as well as the inner courtyard of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

NASB 1995
So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

NASB 1977
So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of Yahweh, and the porch of the house.

Amplified Bible
So the great courtyard all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams like the inner courtyard of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

Christian Standard Bible
Around the great courtyard, as well as the inner courtyard of the LORD’s temple and the portico of the temple, were three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Around the great courtyard, as well as the inner courtyard of the LORD’s temple and the portico of the temple, were three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams.

American Standard Version
And the great court round about had three courses of hewn stone, and a course of cedar beams; like as the inner court of the house of Jehovah, and the porch of the house.

Contemporary English Version
The walls around the palace courtyard were made out of three layers of cut stones with one layer of cedar beams, just like the front porch and the inner courtyard of the temple.

English Revised Version
And the great court round about had three rows of hewn stone, and a row of cedar beams; like as the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The large courtyard had three layers of cut stone blocks and a layer of cedar beams, like the inner courtyard of the LORD's temple and the entrance hall.

Good News Translation
The palace court, the inner court of the Temple, and the entrance room of the Temple had walls with one layer of cedar beams for every three layers of cut stones.

International Standard Version
So the great court was surrounded by three rows of cut stone, along with a row of cedar beams, just like the inner court of the LORD's Temple and the porch surrounding the Temple.

Majority Standard Bible
The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

NET Bible
Around the great courtyard were three rows of chiseled stones and one row of cedar beams, like the inner courtyard of the LORD's temple and the hall of the palace.

New Heart English Bible
The great court around had three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar beams; like as the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the porch of the house.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the great court around was with three rows of hewn stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

World English Bible
The great court around had three courses of cut stone with a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of Yahweh’s house and the porch of the house.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the great court around [is] three rows of hewn work, and a row of cedar-beams, even for the inner court of the house of YHWH, and for the porch of the house.

Young's Literal Translation
and the great court round about is three rows of hewn work, and a row of cedar-beams, even for the inner court of the house of Jehovah, and for the porch of the house.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the great enclosure round about, three rows of cuttings, and a row of cuttings of cedars, and for the enclosure of the house of Jehovah within, and for the porch of the house.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the greater court was made round with three rows of hewed stones, and one row of planks of cedar, moreover also in the inner court of the house of the Lord, and in the porch of the house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the great atrium was round, with three rows of cut stones and one row of cut cedar, even as it also was in the interior atrium of the house of the Lord, and in the portico of the house.

New American Bible
The great court had three courses of hewn stones all around and a course of cedar beams. So also were the inner court of the house of the LORD and its porch.

New Revised Standard Version
The great court had three courses of dressed stone to one layer of cedar beams all around; so had the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the vestibule of the house.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the great court round about was made with three rows of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD and for the porch of the house.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the great court like a circle was three rows of cut stones and a row of saplings of cedar and for the inner court of the house of LORD JEHOVAH and for the porch of the house.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the great court round about had three rows of hewn stone, and a row of cedar beams, like as the inner court of the house of the LORD, and the court of the porch of the house.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There were three rows of hewn stones round about the great hall, and a row of sculptured cedar: and Solomon finished all his house.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Solomon Builds His Palace
…11Above these were high-grade stones, cut to size, and cedar beams. 12The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 4:9
He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court with its doors, and he overlaid the doors with bronze.

1 Kings 6:36
Solomon built the inner courtyard with three rows of dressed stone and one row of trimmed cedar beams.

Ezekiel 40:17-20
Then he brought me into the outer court, and there were chambers and a pavement laid out all around the court. Thirty chambers faced the pavement, / which flanked the gateways and corresponded to the length of the gates; this was the lower pavement. / Then he measured the distance from the front of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner court; it was a hundred cubits on the east side as well as on the north. ...

2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 Chronicles 7:7
Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar he had made could not hold all these offerings.

2 Chronicles 4:1
He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.

2 Chronicles 6:13
Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

2 Chronicles 4:10
He put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner.

2 Chronicles 4:11-22
Additionally, Huram made the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. So Huram finished the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the house of God: / the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; / the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars); ...

2 Chronicles 5:1
So all the work that Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:2-14
At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / So all the men of Israel came together to the king at the feast in the seventh month. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, ...

John 10:23
and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Acts 3:11
While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade.

Matthew 21:12
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

Mark 11:15
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

Treasury of Scripture

And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

three rows

1 Kings 6:36
And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

the porch

John 10:23
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

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.

Acts 5:12
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

Jump to Previous

Beams Boards Cedar Cedar-Beams Cedar-Wood Course Courses Court Courtyard Covered Cut Dressed Great Hewed Hewn House Inner Inside King's Lines Open Outer Porch Portico Room Round Row Rows Square Stone Stones Surrounded Temple Three Trimmed Vestibule Wall Walled Work

Jump to Next

1 Kings 7

1. The building of Solomon's house
2. Of the house of Lebanon
6. Of the porch of pillars
7. Of the porch of judgment
8. Of the house for Pharaoh's daughter
13. Hiram's work of the two pillars,
23. Of the molten sea
27. Of the ten bases
38. Of the ten lavers
40. and all the vessels

Berean Study Bible

the great courtyard
The term "great courtyard" refers to the expansive outer court of Solomon's Temple, a place of significant activity and gathering. In Hebrew, the word for courtyard is "חָצֵר" (chatser), which denotes an enclosed space. This courtyard was not only a physical space but also a symbol of the community of Israel, where people gathered to worship and offer sacrifices. It represents the inclusivity of God's house, inviting all to come and partake in the worship of the Almighty.

three rows of cut stone
The "three rows of cut stone" indicate the meticulous craftsmanship and the grandeur of the Temple's construction. The Hebrew word for "cut stone" is "גָּזִית" (gazith), which implies stones that were hewn and shaped with precision. This detail underscores the importance of excellence and dedication in the service of God. The use of stone also symbolizes strength and permanence, reflecting the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people.

all around
The phrase "all around" suggests completeness and thoroughness in the construction of the Temple. It signifies that every aspect of the Temple was carefully planned and executed, leaving no part unfinished. This can be seen as a metaphor for the comprehensive nature of God's provision and care for His people, ensuring that nothing is lacking in His divine plan.

a row of trimmed cedar beams
Cedar wood, known for its durability and pleasant aroma, was highly valued in ancient construction. The "trimmed cedar beams" were likely imported from Lebanon, as mentioned earlier in 1 Kings. The Hebrew word for cedar is "אֶרֶז" (erez), and its use in the Temple signifies beauty and longevity. Cedar's resistance to decay symbolizes the eternal nature of God's presence and His unchanging promises.

it was the same for the inner courtyard
The consistency in design between the great courtyard and the "inner courtyard" highlights the unity and harmony within the Temple's structure. The inner courtyard, closer to the Holy of Holies, represents a deeper level of intimacy with God. This uniformity in construction reflects the idea that all parts of God's creation are interconnected and that His presence permeates every aspect of life.

of the house of the LORD
The phrase "house of the LORD" refers to the Temple as the dwelling place of God among His people. In Hebrew, "house" is "בַּיִת" (bayith), which can also mean family or household. This emphasizes the relational aspect of God's covenant, where He dwells not just in a physical structure but among His people, making them His family.

and the portico of the house
The "portico" or porch of the Temple served as an entrance and a place of transition from the outer world into the sacred space of worship. The Hebrew word "אוּלָם" (ulam) suggests a grand entrance, inviting worshippers to prepare their hearts as they approach the presence of God. This architectural feature reminds believers of the importance of reverence and preparation in approaching God, acknowledging His holiness and majesty.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) The great court.--Finally, "the great court" round about is said to have resembled the "inner court" of the Temple, having an enclosure of three rows of stones, probably of large size, with a cedar coping. It seems evidently to have enclosed the whole palace, and may have contained quarters for the guards and the household. There must have been, of course, inner courts, round which both the more public and the more private buildings of the palace were grouped.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - And the great court round about [The palace, again like the temple, had two courts. The lesser is referred to in ver. 8, and was enclosed among the buildings. The great court probably surrounded the entire structure] was [enclosed by a wall] with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams [The latter formed the coping. The wall of the court of the palace thus resembled that of the temple. See on 1 Kings 6:36. In all these coincidences we have tokens of the same designing hand], both for the inner court of the house of the Lord. [This sudden digression from the court of the palace to the temple is suspicious, and suggests either a mistranslation or corruption of the text. The historian evidently meant to say that the wall of the court, in its three rows of stones and its cedar coping, resembled the inner court of the temple; and, according to some grammarians (Gesen., Ewald), this meaning may well be conveyed by the text as it stands, ו in Hebrew serving sometimes to institute a comparison (Proverbs 25:3, 12, 20; Proverbs 26:14, etc.) "As in the court," etc. But the instances just cited, being proverbs or apophthegms, are not strictly parallel with our text. It seems better, on the whole, however, to retain the text in this sense than to replace. ו by כ, reading כלחצר or כחצר for ולחצר. כהחצר (Horsley) is quite inadmissible, as the constr, case never has the art.], and for the porch of the house. [It is almost impossible to decide whether the porch of judgment (ver. 7) or the porch of the temple is here meant. The immediate context favours the latter. But this does not seem to have had any court or enclosing wall other than the inner court. Rawlinson decides for the porch of judgment, "which," he says, "had a planking of cedar over the stone pavement" (ver. 7). But ver. 7 (where see note) rather excludes than in-eludes the pavement. The reference is probably to the "court within the porch," mentioned in ver. 8.] After this brief account of the royal palaces, the author proceeds to mention the vessels, etc., used in the temple service, prefacing his description by a few words respecting the great Tyrian artist, by whom they were for the most part cast, and possibly designed also.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The great
הַגְּדוֹלָ֜ה (hag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

courtyard
וְחָצֵ֨ר (wə·ḥā·ṣêr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

was surrounded by
סָבִ֗יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

three
שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

rows
טוּרִ֣ים (ṭū·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2905: A row, a wall

of dressed stone
גָּזִ֔ית (gā·zîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1496: Something cut, dressed stone

and a row
וְט֖וּר (wə·ṭūr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2905: A row, a wall

of trimmed cedar
אֲרָזִ֑ים (’ă·rā·zîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 730: A cedar tree

beams,
כְּרֻתֹ֣ת (kə·ru·ṯōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3773: Something cut, a hewn timber

as were the inner
הַפְּנִימִ֖ית (hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6442: Interior

courtyard
וְלַחֲצַ֧ר (wə·la·ḥă·ṣar)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

and portico
וּלְאֻלָ֥ם (ū·lə·’u·lām)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 197: A vestibule

of the house of
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

the LORD.
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT History: 1 Kings 7:12 The great court around had three courses (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)