Bible Strands
1 Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator addresses the reader at the commencement of Solomon’s temple project, anchoring the event in the fourth year of his reign and the second month of that year.
The words — בִ/שְׁמוֹנִ֣ים (vi/sh.mo.Nim) means "in eighty," and לְ/צֵ֣את (le./Tzet) translates literally as "of the coming out," combining with the supplied numbers to form the specific count "in the four hundred and eightieth year after the coming out."
The thread — This chronological marker reappears in 1 Kings 6:37, which confirms the foundation was laid in Solomon’s fourth year, while Acts 7:47 later summarizes the project by crediting Solomon with building the house.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader recognize the deliberate linkage of Israel’s national deliverance with the establishment of the temple, requiring attention to how sacred history is measured against covenant events.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
- Acts 7:47 But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.
- 1 Kings 6:37 The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.
- 1 Chronicles 29:19 And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”
- 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Numbers 1:1 On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:
- Judges 11:26 For three hundred years Israel has lived in Heshbon, Aroer, and their villages, as well as all the cities along the banks of the Arnon. Why did you not take them back during that time?
- Zechariah 6:12 And you are to tell him that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Here is a man whose name is the Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the LORD.
- Zechariah 6:15 Even those far away will come and build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
- John 2:19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”