1 Kings 6:14 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּ֧בֶן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־ הַבַּ֖יִת וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ׃
BSASo SolomonShᵉlômôh [the king of Israel, son of David] builtbânâh▸ [constructed, established] the templebayith [house, place of worship] and finishedkâlâh▸ [completed, ended] itʼêth [the building project, the task]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּ֧בֶן | and he built | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה | Solomon | Noun proper masculine |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַבַּ֖יִת | the house | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ׃ | and he finished it | Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So Solomon built the temple and finished it. |
| KJV | So Solomon built the house, and finished it. |
| ASV | So Solomon built the house, and finished it. |
| YLT | And Solomon buildeth the house and completeth it; |
| WEB | So Solomon built the house and finished it. |
| BBE | So Solomon made the building of the house complete.) |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the verbs בָּנָה and כָּלָה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that details the completion of the action.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשְׁלֹמֹה
verbבָּנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Kings 6:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Construction of the Templegenerated
1 Kings 6:14 describes the completion of the temple built by Solomon, which served as a central place of worship for the Israelites. This event marked a significant moment in Israel's history, as it was the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, as noted in earlier chapters. The temple not only represented a physical structure but also a spiritual center for the nation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 6:9–38 | So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar. |
| 2 | Acts 7:47–48 | But it was Solomon who built the house for Him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּנָה, vai.Yi.vengenerated
The Hebrew word בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles.
In this verse, it indicates Solomon's role in constructing the temple, emphasizing his authority and responsibility as king. The parsing as a sequential imperfect verb shows that this action was part of a continuous process of building and establishing a significant structure for worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs וַיִּ֧בֶן (and he built) and וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ (and he finished it) govern the structure of the verse. The first verb indicates the action of building, while the second denotes the completion of that action.
The sentence follows a straightforward structure, beginning with the subject שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה (Solomon), followed by the actions he performed, which emphasizes the sequential nature of the construction and completion.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בָּנָה as ᾠκοδόμησεν (he built), which carries the same meaning of construction. This choice reflects the continuity of the concept of building in both Hebrew and Greek texts.
The use of αὐτόν (it) for הוּא indicates a direct reference to the temple, maintaining the focus on the completed building project.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Kings 6:14 tells us that Solomon built the temple and finished it. This was an important moment for Israel, as the temple served as a place of worship and represented God's presence among His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies the establishment of a central place of worship for the Israelites, fulfilling God's promise to dwell among them.
The completion of the temple marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as it provided a permanent dwelling place for God's presence.
Solomon used cedar and cypress wood, as well as gold and other precious materials to construct the temple, making it a magnificent structure.
The construction of the temple is referenced in other scriptures, such as Acts 7:47, highlighting its importance in Israel's worship and history.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does building a temple symbolize in my life today?
- How can I contribute to the establishment of a place of worship in my community?
- In what ways can I ensure that my personal projects are completed with dedication and care?
- How does understanding the significance of the temple help me appreciate my faith more deeply?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Kings 6:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSo Solomon built the house, and finished it. He went on with it until he had completed it, animated and encouraged by the promise of the divine Presence in it, provided a proper regard was had to the will and ways of God.
Read John Gill on 1 Kings 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryConcerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee,
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Kings 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Kings 6:14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.Ver. 14. So Solomon built the house.] See 1 Kings 6:9.
Read John Trapp on 1 Kings 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14–22. Particulars of the interior fittings of the holy place, and of the most holy place (2 Chronicles 3:5-9) 14. So Solomon built the house] This verse resumes the narrative of 1 Kings 6:9.
Read Cambridge on 1 Kings 6 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. Solomon built the house, and finished it — This verse need not be understood as a resuming of the description broken off at 1 Kings 6:10, but rather as referring to the word of the Lord as told in 1 Kings 6:12-13.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Kings 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
So Solomon built the temple and finished it.
So Solomon built the house and finished it.
So Solomon built the temple and finished it.
So Solomon finished building the temple.
Tyndale line
So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
So Salomon built the house and finished it,
Strictly literal
And Solomon built the house and finished it.
And Solomon buildeth the house and completeth it;
And Solomon builds the house and completes it;
So did Solomon build the house, and finish it.
So Solomon built the house and finished it.
From the Latin
So Solomon built the house and finished it.
Simplified
Solomon finished building the Temple.
So Solomon made the building of the house complete.)
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states: וַיִּ֧בֶן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־ הַבַּ֖יִת וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ׃. The Septuagint matches three of the five words in a different order, showing some consistency in the core message regarding Solomon's actions.
וַיִּ֧בֶן שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־ הַבַּ֖יִת וַיְכַלֵּֽהוּ׃
3 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Kings 6:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word בָּנָה (banah) means "to build" and encompasses various forms such as rebuilding, establishing, and making permanent. It can refer to physical construction, like building a house or family, as well as metaphorical uses, such as the establishment of restored exiles. The entries indicate that it can also imply being built up, particularly in the context of a childless wife becoming a mother.
בָּנָה 373 vb. build
Qal build
Niph.
be built
be rebuilt
(fig.) of restored exiles, = established
established, made permanent
base
H1129 בָּנָה build .build
.. . be built
. be rebuilt
. . (fig.) of restored exiles, = established
. established, made permanent
1129 banah baw-naw'
a primitive root; to build (literally and
figuratively):--(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make,
repair, set (up), X surely.
בָּנָה (ba.nah) — to build.
1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to build, rebuild
1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be built
1b2) to be rebuilt
1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.)
1b4) established (made permanent)
1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine)
Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlomoh) refers to Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, known as a king of Judah. The name means 'peaceful' and he is recognized as the third king of Israel, credited with authorship of Proverbs and Song of Songs. He is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14.
שְׁלֹמֹה 293 n.pr.m. Solomon
base
H8010 שְׁלֹמֹה
8010 Shlomoh shel-o-mo'
from 7965; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor:--Solomon.
see HEBREW for 07965
שְׁלֹמֹה (she.lo.moh) — Solomon.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14;
son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339);
brother of: Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727) and Nathan (H5416);
half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); married to daughter_of_Pharaoh (H6547P) and Naamah (H5279A);
father of: Taphath (H2955), Basemath (H1315) and Rehoboam (H7346); also called Jedidiah at 2Sa.12.25;
§ Solomon = "peace"
son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
sol'-o-mun (shelomoh; New Testament Solomon):
I. EARLY LIFE
1. Name and Meaning
2. Sources
3. Birth and Upbringing
4. His Accession
5. Closing Days of David
II. REIGN OF SOLOMON
1. His Vision
2. His Policy
3. Its Results
4. Alliance with Tyre
5. Alliance with Egypt
6. Domestic Troubles
III. HIS BUILDINGS
1. The Temple
2. The Palace
3. Other Buildings
4. The Corvee
IV. HIS CHARACTER
1. Personal Qualities
2. His Wisdom
3. His Learning
4. Trade and Commerce
5. Officers of State
6. Wives
7. Revenues
8. Literary Works
LITERATURE
I. Early Life.
Solomon was the son of David and Bath-sheba, and became the 3rd king of Israel.
1. Name and Meaning:
He was so named by his mother (2Sa 12:24, Qere; see TEXT AND MANUSCRIPTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT; TEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT), but by the prophet Nathan, or by his father (Vulgate), he was called Jedidiah--"loved of Yahweh." The name…
Solomon
Peaceful, (Heb. Shelomoh), David’s second son by Bathsheba, i.e., the first after their legal marriage (2 Sam. 12). He was probably born about B.C. 1035 (1 Chr. 22:5; 29:1). He succeeded his father on the throne in early manhood, probably about sixteen or eighteen years of age. Nathan, to whom his education was intrusted, called him Jedidiah, i.e., “beloved of the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:24, 25). He was the first king of Israel “born in the purple.” His father chose him as his successor, passing over the claims of his elder sons: “Assuredly Solomon my son shall reign after me.” His history is recorded in 1 Kings 1-11 and 2 Chr. 1-9. His elevation to the throne took place before his father’s death, and was hastened on mainly by Nathan and Bathsheba, in consequence of the rebellion…
(peaceful). I. Early life and occasion to the throne . --Solomon was the child of David’s old age, the last born of all his sons. (1 Chronicles 3:5) The yearnings of the "man of war" led him to give to the new-horn infant the name of Solomon (Shelomoth, the peaceful one). Nathan, with a marked reference to the meaning of the king’s own name (David, the darling, the beloved one), calls the infant Jedidiah (Jedid’yah), that is, the darling of the Lord. (2 Samuel 11:24,25) He was placed under the care of Nathan from his earliest infancy. At first, apparently, there was no distinct purpose to make him the heir. Absalom was still the king’s favorite son, (2 Samuel 13:37; 18:33) and was looked on by the people as the destined…
Peaceful, the son and successor of David, born of Bathsheba, B. C. 1033. The prophet Nathan called him Jedidiah, "beloved of the Lord," 2Sa 12:25 and he was a child of promise, 1Ch 22:9,10. At the age of eighteen he received from David the throne which his brother Adonijah had endeavored to usurp. Scripture records his earnest and pious petition for wisdom from above, that he might govern that great people well; and the bestowal of the wisdom, with numerous other blessings in its train, Mt 6:33. His unequalled learning and sagacity soon became renowned throughout the East, and continue so even to this day. In every kind of temporal prosperity he was preeminently favored. His unquestioned dominion extended from the Euphrates to…
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
DirObjM — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
hous (bayith; oikos, in classical Greek generally "an estate," oikia, oikema (literally, "habitation"), in Ac 12:1, "prison"):
I. CAVE DWELLINGS
II. STONE-BUILT AND MUD/BRICK-BUILT HOUSES
1. Details of Plan and Construction
(1) Corner-Stone
(2) Floor
(3) Gutter
(4) Door
(5) Hinge
(6) Lock and Key
(7) Threshold
(8) Hearth
(9) Window
(10) Roof
2. Houses of More than One Story
(1) Upper Chambers and Stairs
(2) Palaces and Castles
3. Internal Appearance
III. OTHER MEANINGS
LITERATURE
I. Cave Dwellings.
The earliest permanent habitations of the prehistoric inhabitants of Palestine were the natural caves which abound throughout the country. As the people increased and grouped themselves into communities, these abodes were supplemented by systems of artificial caves which, in some cases, developed into extensive burrowings of many adjoining compartments, having…
House
Till their sojourn in Egypt the Hebrews dwelt in tents. They then for the first time inhabited cities (Gen. 47:3; Ex. 12:7; Heb. 11:9). From the earliest times the Assyrians and the Canaanites were builders of cities. The Hebrews after the Conquest took possession of the captured cities, and seem to have followed the methods of building that had been pursued by the Canaanites. Reference is made to the stone (1 Kings 7:9; Isa. 9:10) and marble (1 Chr. 29:2) used in building, and to the internal wood-work of the houses (
The houses of the rural poor in Egypt, as well as in most parts of Syria, Arabia and Persia, are generally mere huts of mud or sunburnt bricks. In some parts of Palestine and Arabia stone is used, and in certain districts caves in the rocks are used as dwellings. (Amos 5:11) The houses are usually of one story only, viz., the ground floor, and often contain only one apartment. Sometimes a small court for the cattle is attached; and in some cases the cattle are housed in the same building, or the live in a raised platform, and, the cattle round them on the ground. (1 Samuel 28:24) The windows are small apertures high up in the walls, sometimes grated with wood. The roofs are commonly but not always flat, and are usually formed of plaster of mud and straw laid upon boughs or…
Is often put for dwelling, residence; and hence the temple, and even the tabernacle, are called the house of God.
The universal mode of building houses in the East, is in the form of a hollow square, with an open court or yard in the center; which is thus entirely shut in by the walls of the house around it. Into this court all the windows open, there being usually no windows towards the street. Some houses of large size require several courts, and these usually communicate with each other. These courts are commonly paved; and in many large houses parts of them are planted with shrubs and trees, Ps 84:3 128:3; they have also, when possible, a fountain in them, often with a jet d’ eau, 2Sa 17:18. It is customary in many houses to extend an awning over the whole court in hot…
The Hebrew word כָּלָה (*kalah*) is a primitive root meaning to end or finish. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to complete, accomplish, perish, and destroy. The entries indicate various uses in both intransitive and transitive forms, covering actions like finishing a task or causing something to cease. Notably, it can also imply negative connotations, such as plotting or destruction.
כָּלָה 204 vb. be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent
Qal
be complete, at an end, of a period of time
be completed, finished, of a work
be accomplished, fulfilled
be idealy complete, be determined, always in a bad sense, plotted
be spent, used up (prop. come to an end), of water
waste away, be exhausted, fail
come to an end, vanish = perish, be destroyed
Pi.
complete, bring to an end, finish, a thing, task, work, etc.
complete a period of time
finish doing a thing
make an end, end
accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass
accomplish in thought, determine
put an end to, cause to cease
cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend
destroy, sts. exterminate
base
H3615 כָּלָה be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, spent .. . be complete, at an end, of a period of time
. be completed, finished, of a work
. be accomplished, fulfilled
. be idealy complete, be determined, always in a bad sense, plotted
. . be spent, used up (prop. come to an end), of water
. waste away, be exhausted, fail
. come to an end, vanish = perish, be destroyed
. . . complete, bring to an end, finish, a thing, task, work, etc.
. complete a period of time
. finish doing a thing
. make an end, end
. accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass
. accomplish in thought, determine
. . put an end to, cause to cease
. cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend
. destroy, sts. exterminate
3615 kalah kaw-law'
a primitive root; to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be
finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare,
consume):--accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine,
destroy (utterly), be (when ... were) done, (be an) end (of),
expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, X fully, X
have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make
clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.
כָּלָה (ka.lah) — to end: finish.
: finish
1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be complete, be at an end
1a2) to be completed, be finished
1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled
1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense)
1a5) to be spent, be used up
1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail
1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish
1b2) to complete (a period of time)
1b3) to finish (doing a thing)
1b4) to make an end, end
1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass
1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought)
1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease
1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend
1b9) to destroy, exterminate
1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
כָּלָה (ka.lah) — to end: destroy.
: destroy
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb piel sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms