1 Kings 6:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In a year measured from the Exodus, Solomon begins to build the temple, the house of the LORD.
What Does 1 Kings 6:1 Mean?
The narrative dates the project with unusual care, counting from the Exodus long ago and from the start of Solomon's reign. The building begins in spring, in the month Zif, when the long-promised house of the LORD at last rises in Jerusalem.
Israel's whole story bends toward this moment: the God who led them out of slavery in Egypt now comes to dwell among them in a settled place. The careful counting of the years says that God keeps His word in His own time, and not one promise falls to the ground. What was once wandering and tent now becomes a house, a lasting sign that the One who redeems His people also stays to dwell with them.
1 Kings 6:1 in the Original Language
bayit (בַּיִת), 'house' -- a dwelling, the word used both for a family and for God's temple.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 6:1
What does 1 Kings 6:1 mean?
In a year measured from the Exodus, Solomon begins to build the temple, the house of the LORD.