John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about , etc.] Or near it, as Jarchi interprets it, for the beams of them were not fastened in in it, ( 1 Kings 6:6); or rather “upon” it f91 ; and when they are said to be round about the house, it must be understood of the two sides, north and south, and of the west end only, for at the east end, where the porch was, there were none: [against] the walls of the house round about, [both] of the temple and of the oracle ; that is, both of the holy and the most holy place: and he made chambers round about ; the said buildings; which is repeated that it might be observed; how many chambers there were, is not said; Josephus says there were thirty of them, and over them others of the same measure and number, and over them others also; so that there were three stories of them, and in all ninety; and which is countenanced by what follows in ( 1 Kings 6:6), and agrees with ( Ezekiel 41:6); the Jewish doctors say f93 , there were thirty eight of them, fifteen on the north, fifteen on the south, and eight on the west; they that were to the north and south were five upon five, and five over them; and they that were to the west were three upon three, and two over them; upper rooms or chambers were rare in Heathen temples f94 : these chambers were for the priests, where they lodged and laid up their garments, and ate their holy things; and were emblems of congregated churches, where the true members thereof, who are priests to God, have communion with him, and partake of divine things.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - The temple is called the house of the Lord, because it was directed an modelled by him, and was to be employed in his service. This gave in the beauty of holiness, that it was the house of the Lord, which wa far beyond all other beauties. It was to be the temple of the God of peace, therefore no iron tool must be heard; quietness and silence sui and help religious exercises. God's work should be done with much car and little noise. Clamour and violence often hinder, but never furthe the work of God. Thus the kingdom of God in the heart of man grows u in silence, Mr 5:27.
Original Hebrew ויבן1129 על5921 קיר7023 הבית1004 יצוע3326 סביב5439 את853 קירות7023 הבית1004 סביב5439 להיכל1964 ולדביר1687 ויעשׂ6213 צלעות6763 סביב׃5439
