Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 8:64
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brazen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
64. meat offerings ] These consisted (see Lev 2:4-7) of fine flour with oil and incense. In modern English the sense of ‘meat’ has become so restricted to flesh, that the R.V., to give a nearer idea of the true nature of the offering, has changed the word to meal-offering, though this does not quite adequately convey the meaning. In 2Ch 7:6 we read that the Levites accompanied these sacrifices with music, on instruments which David had made for religious services, and the priests blew the trumpets before them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The middle of the court – Or, the whole area of the court – all the mid space within the enclosing walls, which thus became one huge altar, on any part of which victims might be offered at one and the same time.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 64. Did the king hallow the middle of the court] The great altar of burnt-offerings was not sufficient for the number of sacrifices which were then made; therefore the middle of the court was set apart, and an altar erected there for the same purpose.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The middle of the court, to wit, of the priests court, in which the great altar was. This he consecrated as he did the great altar, to wit, by sacrifices; but with this difference, that he consecrated that for lasting and perpetual use, but this only for the present time and occasion, being warranted to do so both by the necessity of it for Gods service; and for the present solemn work, for which the brazen altar was not sufficient, as it here follows; and by the direction of Gods Spirit, wherewith Solomon was endowed, as being a prophet as well as a king. Here therefore he suddenly reared up divers altars, which after this solemnity were demolished.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
64. The same day did the king hallowthe middle of the courtthat is, the whole extent of thepriests’ courtthe altar of burnt offerings, though large (2Ch4:1), being totally inadequate for the vast number of sacrificesthat distinguished this occasion. It was only a temporary erection tomeet the demands of an extraordinary season, in aid of theestablished altar, and removed at the conclusion of the sacredfestival. [See on 2Ch 7:7.]
1Ki8:65. THE PEOPLEJOYFUL.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord,…. The court of the priests that was before the holy place, adjoining to it, in which was the altar of burnt offering; this, or, however, the middle part of it, he sanctified for present use, to offer sacrifices on, for a reason hereafter given:
for there he offered burnt offerings and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings; which was the reason why the middle of the great court was for this time set apart for this service.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
64. The same day The same time that the multitude of these sacrifices were offered.
Hallow Sanctify; consecrate. The purpose for which this inner court was hallowed bears further testimony to the vast number of the sacrifices offered on that occasion. The brazen altar was insufficient, and therefore Solomon caused the erection of other altars in the midst of the court, thus sanctifying the whole middle of its area for sacrificial purposes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 8:64 The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
Ver. 64. The king hallowed, ] i.e., saith Lyra, He caused the high priest to sanctify the pavement of that court near unto the altar, by reason of the multitude of the sacrifices, and incapacity of the altar.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
hallow: 2Ch 7:7
the brazen: 2Ch 4:1
Reciprocal: Exo 27:2 – overlay it with brass Exo 27:9 – the court Exo 39:39 – General Lev 3:5 – Aaron’s Num 7:1 – sanctified them Jdg 21:4 – built there 2Ki 16:15 – the king’s burnt Ezr 6:17 – offered Psa 118:27 – bind Eze 45:17 – the prince’s
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 8:64. The same day Or rather, at the same time. For it can scarcely be supposed that it could all be done the same day. Did the king hallow the middle of the court Namely, the court of the priests in which the great altar was. This he consecrated as he did the great altar, by sacrifices; but with this difference, that he consecrated that for perpetual use, but this only for the present occasion, being warranted to do so both by the necessity of it for Gods service, and for the present solemn work, for which the brazen altar was not sufficient; and by the direction of Gods Spirit, wherewith Solomon was endowed, as being a prophet, as well as a king. Here therefore he suddenly reared up divers altars, which, after this solemnity, were demolished.