1 Kings 6:21
New International Version
Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold.

New Living Translation
Then Solomon overlaid the rest of the Temple’s interior with solid gold, and he made gold chains to protect the entrance to the Most Holy Place.

English Standard Version
And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

Berean Standard Bible
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold.

King James Bible
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

New King James Version
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold. He stretched gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

New American Standard Bible
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he extended chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold.

NASB 1995
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold.

NASB 1977
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary; and he overlaid it with gold.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold. And he drew chains of gold across the front of the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold.

Amplified Bible
Solomon overlaid the interior of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across the front of the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary), and he overlaid it with gold.

Christian Standard Bible
Next, Solomon overlaid the interior of the temple with pure gold, and he hung gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary and overlaid it with gold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Next, Solomon overlaid the interior of the temple with pure gold, and he hung gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary and overlaid it with gold.

American Standard Version
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he drew chains of gold across before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

English Revised Version
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he drew chains of gold across before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He covered the inside of the temple with pure gold. He put golden chains across the front of the inner room which was covered with gold.

Good News Translation
The inside of the Temple was covered with gold, and gold chains were placed across the entrance of the inner room, which was also covered with gold.

International Standard Version
Solomon overlaid the inside of the Temple with pure gold, fastened gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

Majority Standard Bible
So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold.

NET Bible
Solomon plated the inside of the temple with gold. He hung golden chains in front of the inner sanctuary and plated the inner sanctuary with gold.

New Heart English Bible
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold.

Webster's Bible Translation
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

World English Bible
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold. He drew chains of gold across before the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Solomon overlays the house within with gold refined, and causes [it] to pass over in chains of gold before the oracle, and overlays it with gold.

Young's Literal Translation
And Solomon overlayeth the house within with gold refined, and causeth it to pass over in chains of gold before the oracle, and overlayeth it with gold.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Solomon will overlay the house from the inside with gold shut up: and he will close up with chains of gold to the face of the oracle; and he will overlay it with gold.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the house before the oracle he overlaid with most pure gold, and fastened on the plates with nails of gold.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, the house before the oracle, he covered with the purest gold, and he fastened the plates with nails of gold.

New American Bible
Solomon covered the interior of the house with pure gold, and he drew golden chains across in front of the inner sanctuary, and covered it with gold.

New Revised Standard Version
Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, then he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold; and he made a doorpost in front of the sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Solomon overlaid the house from within with refined gold, and he made a porch before the Holy Place, and he overlaid it with gold.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold; and he drew chains of gold across the wall before the Sanctuary; and he overlaid it with gold.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Temple's Interior
20The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. 21So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. 22So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.…

Cross References
Exodus 25:11
Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.

2 Chronicles 3:4-10
The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. / He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains. / He adorned the temple with precious stones for beauty, and its gold was from Parvaim. ...

Exodus 37:2
He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it.

2 Chronicles 3:7
He overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.

Exodus 30:3
Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it.

2 Chronicles 4:19-22
Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; / the lampstands of pure gold and their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; / the flowers, lamps, and tongs of gold—of purest gold; ...

Exodus 26:29
Overlay the frames with gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

2 Chronicles 3:8
Then he made the Most Holy Place; its length corresponded to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold.

Exodus 36:34
And he overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. He also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

2 Chronicles 3:5
He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Revelation 21:18
The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass.

Hebrews 9:2-3
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. / Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

Revelation 21:21
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.

Matthew 23:16-17
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?


Treasury of Scripture

So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.

overlaid

Exodus 26:29,32
And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold…

Exodus 36:34
And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

2 Chronicles 3:7-9
He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls…

by the chains

1 Kings 6:5
And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:

Exodus 26:32,33
And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver…

2 Chronicles 3:14-16
And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon…

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Causeth Chains Covered Drew Extended Front Gold House Inmost Inner Inside Itself Oracle Overlaid Overlayeth Partition Pure Refined Room Sanctuary Shut Solomon Temple Wall Within
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Causeth Chains Covered Drew Extended Front Gold House Inmost Inner Inside Itself Oracle Overlaid Overlayeth Partition Pure Refined Room Sanctuary Shut Solomon Temple Wall Within
1 Kings 6
1. The building of Solomon's temple
5. The chambers thereof
11. God's promise unto it
15. The ceiling and adorning of it
23. The cherubim
31. The doors
36. The court
37. The time of building it














So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold
The act of overlaying the temple with pure gold signifies the immense value and sanctity of the dwelling place of God. The Hebrew word for "overlaid" is "צָפָה" (tsaphah), which means to cover or plate. This reflects the meticulous care and reverence Solomon had for the temple, ensuring that it was not only functional but also a place of unparalleled beauty and worth. Gold, in biblical times, was a symbol of purity, divinity, and kingship, representing the glory and majesty of God. The use of "pure gold" emphasizes the perfection and holiness required in the presence of the Almighty.

and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary
The "gold chains" mentioned here are indicative of both beauty and security. Chains in ancient times were often used for decorative purposes, but they also symbolized strength and protection. The Hebrew word for "chains" is "שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת" (sharsharot), which can imply a sense of connection or binding. In the context of the temple, these chains could represent the unbreakable bond between God and His people, a reminder of the covenant and the divine protection over the sacred space. The "inner sanctuary," or the Holy of Holies, was the most sacred part of the temple, where the presence of God was believed to dwell. The chains, therefore, also serve as a boundary, marking the holiness of this space.

which was overlaid with gold
The repetition of the temple being "overlaid with gold" underscores the theme of divine splendor and the importance of offering the best to God. The Hebrew word for "gold" is "זָהָב" (zahav), a term that appears frequently in the descriptions of the temple's construction. This repetition highlights the centrality of gold in the temple's design, symbolizing the wealth of the kingdom under Solomon's reign and the dedication of these resources to honor God. The lavish use of gold in the temple serves as a physical manifestation of the spiritual richness and glory of God's presence among His people. It is a call to believers to offer their best in worship and service to the Lord, reflecting His glory in their lives.

(21) He made a partition by (the) chains of gold before the oracle.--This phrase is difficult. The LXX. and Vulg. have wholly different readings; but our translation appears to be substantially correct, and to signify either that Solomon made a chain-work decoration on the partition, or (perhaps more probably) that he made a golden chain to go across the entrance in the partition before the Oracle, in front of the veil, so as to be an additional guard against intrusion.

Verse 21. - So [Heb. And. The ornamentation of the holy place is next mentioned] Solomon overlaid the house [as well as the oracle] within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle [These words are extremely obscure. The prevailing view is that of Gesenius, al., that יַעֲבֵּר = "he bolted," etc. But, if so, what did the chains bolt? Bahr says, the boards of the cedar partition, just as the bars fastened together the boards of the tabornacle (Exodus 26:26-29). Gesen. himself (together with Keil, marg., al.) understands the doors, "he bolted the doors of the oracle," so as to keep them closed, except on the day of atonement. But the literal rendering is, "he carried over with chains of gold before the oracle," where nothing is said of either boards or doors. The more natural interpretation, therefore, would perhaps be: he carried on the gold plates of the house in chains of gold across the partition, and so fastened it to the side walls. Perhaps this was done to avoid any fracture of, or insertion into, the stonework]; and he overlaid it [What? Keil says, the cedar altar last mentioned at the end of ver. 20. But the altar has now dropped out of the reader's, and therefore presumably out of the writer's mind. It would be more natural to understand the words of the oracle just mentioned, but the adornment of the oracle has already been related (ver. 20), and it is hardly likely that having stated that it was covered with pure gold in one verse, he would mention that it was overlaid with gold in the next. It looks as if the cedar partition were referred to, the boards "before the oracle"] with gold.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֧ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

overlaid
וַיְצַ֨ף (way·ṣap̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6823: To lay out, lay over

the inside
מִפְּנִ֖ימָה (mip·pə·nî·māh)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 6441: Toward the side or inside, within

of the temple
הַבַּ֛יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

with pure
סָג֑וּר (sā·ḡūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

gold,
זָהָ֣ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

and he extended
וַיְעַבֵּ֞ר (way·‘ab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

gold
זָהָב֙ (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

chains
בְּרַתּוּק֤וֹת (bə·rat·tū·qō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7572: A chain

across the front
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the inner sanctuary,
הַדְּבִ֔יר (had·də·ḇîr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1687: Perhaps (a place of) speaking (the innermost room of Solomon's temple)

which was overlaid
וַיְצַפֵּ֖הוּ (way·ṣap·pê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6823: To lay out, lay over

with gold.
זָהָֽב׃ (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


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OT History: 1 Kings 6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house within (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 6:20
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