Lexical Summary migraah: Ledge, projection, offset Original Word: מִגְרָעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance narrowed rest From gara'; a ledge or offset -- narrowed rest. see HEBREW gara' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gara Definition a recess, ledge NASB Translation offsets (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִגְרָעָה] noun feminine recess, rebatement (RV), i.e. ledge, only plural, נָתֵן מִגְרָעוֺת לבית 1 Kings 6:6. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Immediate Context מִגְרָעָה appears only once, in 1 Kings 6:6, within the detailed description of Solomon’s Temple. “The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle six cubits, and the third seven; for he made offsets in the wall of the temple all around, so that the supports would not be inserted into the walls of the temple” (1 Kings 6:6). The word designates those tiered “offsets” or recessed ledges built into the outer wall. Architectural Function 1. Structural Stability The receding ledges created shelves on which the timber joists of the side rooms could rest without piercing the sacred masonry, preserving the integrity of the inner sanctuary. Historical and Cultic Significance of the Side Chambers • Storage of sacred vessels, tithes, and free-will offerings (cf. 1 Chronicles 28:11; Nehemiah 10:38). Symbolic and Theological Reflections Order within Holiness The deliberate offset testifies that even hidden structural details matter to the God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33). Nothing in God’s house is haphazard. Provision without Violation The ledge protected the sanctity of the wall while making room for ministry. Likewise, grace provides what service requires without compromising divine holiness (Hebrews 9:24). Progressive Access The widening tiers suggest increasing capacity as one ascends, hinting at the expanding revelation from tabernacle to Temple and, ultimately, to the indwelling of the Spirit in believers (Ephesians 2:21–22). Lessons for Ministry Today • Sound doctrine and structural faithfulness create safe footing for every spiritual “story” built upon Christ, our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Related Biblical Parallels While מִגְרָעָה itself is unique to 1 Kings 6:6, comparable concepts appear: temple side rooms (Ezekiel 41:6), treasury chambers (2 Kings 23:11), and priestly quarters (Jeremiah 35:2). Together they reinforce the importance of wisely designed spaces that support worship and obedience. Summary מִגְרָעָה marks a small yet indispensable feature in Solomon’s Temple—recessed ledges that combined structural ingenuity with reverence. They remind us that sacred architecture, whether of stone or of Spirit-filled lives, must uphold holiness while providing steadfast support for every act of God-ordained ministry. Forms and Transliterations מִגְרָעוֹת֩ מגרעות miḡ·rā·‘ō·wṯ miḡrā‘ōwṯ migraOtLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:6 HEB: רָחְבָּ֑הּ כִּ֡י מִגְרָעוֹת֩ נָתַ֨ן לַבַּ֤יִת NAS: he made offsets [in the wall] of the house KJV: he made narrowed rests round about, INT: wide for offsets made the house 1 Occurrence |
    |