Solomon’s Temple, constructed in the mid-10th century BCE, is described in detail in 1 Kings 6–7 and 2 Chronicles 3–4. Its dimensions, materials, and layout reflect Near Eastern temple design while expressing unique Israelite theological symbolism.
2. Dimensions of Solomon’s Temple
2.1 Overall Temple Structure (1 Kings 6:2)
Part
Length
Width
Height
Main hall (Hekhal)
60 cubits (~27 m)
20 cubits (~9 m)
30 cubits (~13.5 m)
(Assuming the standard cubit = ~45 cm)
2.2 Holy of Holies (Debir) (1 Kings 6:20)
Length
Width
Height
20 cubits (~9 m)
20 cubits (~9 m)
20 cubits (~9 m)
A perfect cube, symbolising divine perfection and holiness.
2.3 Porch (Ulam) (1 Kings 6:3)
Width (across Temple front)
Depth (projection forward)
20 cubits (~9 m)
10 cubits (~4.5 m)
3. Materials Used
3.1 Timber
Cedar and Cypress Wood: Imported from Lebanon via Hiram of Tyre (1 Kings 5:6,10).
Used for beams, roofing, interior panelling, floors, and carved decorations.
3.2 Stone
Dressed Limestone (Ashlar masonry): Hewn and finished in quarries to reduce noise at the construction site (1 Kings 6:7).
Formed the structural walls and foundations.
3.3 Gold
Extensive gold overlay adorned:
Inner sanctuary walls and floors (1 Kings 6:20–22).
Cherubim, altar of incense, and other furnishings (1 Kings 7:48–50).
Symbolised God’s majesty, purity, and worth.
3.4 Bronze
Used for external furnishings and structural items crafted by Huram-Abi (1 Kings 7:13–47), including:
Item
Description
Two Bronze Pillars (Jachin and Boaz)
Each ~18 cubits (~8 m) high with decorative capitals (1 Kings 7:15–22).
Bronze Sea
A massive basin (~5 m diameter, ~2.5 m high) supported by 12 oxen statues for priestly purification (1 Kings 7:23–26).
Ten Bronze Lavers
Smaller washing basins for ritual cleansing of offerings (1 Kings 7:27–39).
4. Layout and Internal Design
4.1 Tripartite Structure
Section
Description
Porch (Ulam)
Entry vestibule with two bronze pillars.
Holy Place (Hekhal)
Contained:
– Golden altar of incense
– Ten golden lampstands (five on each side)
– Table(s) of showbread (1 Kings 7:48–49).
Holy of Holies (Debir)
Inner sanctuary housing the Ark of the Covenant, with two large olive wood cherubim overlaid with gold spanning the room (1 Kings 6:23–28).
4.2 Decoration and Symbolism
Carved motifs: Cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers covered the walls and doors (1 Kings 6:29–35).
Gold overlay: Covered all interior woodwork and furnishings.
Cherubim imagery: Represented God’s throne room guarded by heavenly beings.
5. Courtyard and Outer Structures
5.1 Great Court (1 Kings 7:12)
Surrounded the Temple with stone walls and pillars.
Used for public worship and sacrificial rituals.
5.2 Chambers and Storage Rooms
Three stories of side rooms built against the Temple walls (1 Kings 6:5–10).
Ark of the Covenant, altar of incense, lampstands, tables of showbread, Bronze Sea, bronze pillars.
7. Theological Symbolism
Element
Symbolism
Tripartite layout
Progressive holiness approaching God’s throne.
Holy of Holies as cube
Perfection, prefiguring New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:16).
Gold overlay
Divine glory, purity, incorruptibility.
Cherubim carvings
Heavenly guardianship and divine throne presence.
8. Conclusion
Solomon’s Temple was designed with precise dimensions, luxurious materials, and a sacred tripartite layout reflecting:
Israel’s theological worldview centred on God’s holiness.
The Near Eastern royal temple model reinterpreted for monotheistic worship.
A typological foreshadowing of Christ as the true Temple and the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity.
9. References
Hurowitz, V. A. (1992). I Have Built You an Exalted House: Temple Building in the Bible in Light of Mesopotamian and Northwest Semitic Writings. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
Mazar, A. (1992). Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000–586 B.C.E. New York: Doubleday.
Levenson, J. D. (1984). Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. San Francisco: Harper & Row.
Brueggemann, W. (1997). Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Minneapolis: Fortress.
