Temple (Hekal)
הֵיכָל (hekal)
The grand palace — the holy house where God's glory dwells among His people.
Hekal is the Hebrew word for temple or palace, describing the grand, permanent structure Solomon built as God's dwelling. It was the center of Israel's worship, identity, and national life — the place where heaven touched earth.
"The cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD." — 1 Kings 8:10-11 (KJV)
Key Verses
1 Kings 8:10-11
“The cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”Read in context
Habakkuk 2:20
“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”Read in context
Psalm 27:4
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H1964 — Temple (Hekal) (הֵיכָל (hekal))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where הֵיכָל (hekal) appears.
Open Strong's H1964Etymology and Original Meaning
Hekal means 'palace' or 'temple' — a grand, imposing building fit for royalty or deity. The word is borrowed from Sumerian, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern tradition of building houses for gods. Israel's hekal was unique: not a house for an idol but a dwelling for the invisible, omnipresent God who chose to localize His presence among His people.
Solomon's Temple
Solomon built the first temple over seven years (1 Kings 6-7), using the finest materials: cedar, gold, precious stones. At its dedication, God's glory filled the temple so intensely that priests could not stand (1 Kings 8:10-11). The temple was not merely a building but a theological statement: God lives among His people. Its beauty declared God's worthiness; its holiness declared His otherness.
Destruction and Rebuilding
Babylon destroyed the first temple in 586 BC — the most traumatic event in Israel's history. Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilt a modest second temple. Herod later expanded it magnificently. Jesus prophesied its destruction (Matthew 24:2), fulfilled in AD 70. Each destruction was catastrophic, yet each pointed to a deeper truth: God's presence cannot be permanently housed in stone.
Longing for the Temple
David's single desire was 'to dwell in the house of the LORD' (Psalm 27:4). The psalms of ascent (120-134) express pilgrims' joy at approaching the temple. For Israel, the temple was not just a building but the intersection of heaven and earth — the place of God's accessible presence, forgiveness, and communion. This longing finds its fulfillment in Christ and ultimately in the New Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the temple in the Old Testament?
The temple (hekal) was God's dwelling place among Israel — a grand building housing His glory. Solomon built it; Babylon destroyed it; it was rebuilt and later expanded by Herod. It was the center of worship, sacrifice, and divine encounter.
Why was the temple so important to Israel?
The temple was where God's presence dwelt visibly (1 Kings 8:10-11), where sins were atoned through sacrifice, and where heaven met earth. Losing the temple was Israel's greatest trauma; longing for it expressed their deepest desire for God's presence.
What is the Hebrew word for "Temple (Hekal)" in the Bible?
הֵיכָל (hekal), pronounced "hay-KAHL." It means the grand palace — the holy house where god's glory dwells among his people. Its Strong's number is H1964. It is the word behind "Temple (Hekal)" in the Old Testament, for example in 1 Kings 8:10-11.
What does "Temple (Hekal)" mean in the Bible?
The grand palace — the holy house where God's glory dwells among His people. The underlying Hebrew word is הֵיכָל (hekal) ("hay-KAHL"), Strong's H1964. Hekal is the Hebrew word for temple or palace, describing the grand, permanent structure Solomon built as God's dwelling.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Temple (Hekal) (הֵיכָל (hekal))
The grand palace — the holy house where God's glory dwells among His people.
Strong's H1964 — Temple (Hekal)
הֵיכָל (hekal) • The grand palace — the holy house where God's glory dwells among His people.
Temple (ἱερόν (hieron))
God's dwelling place — the sacred house where His presence resides.
Strong's H3519 — Glory (Kabod)
כָּבוֹד (kabod) • Weightiness and splendor — the heavy, radiant, awe-inspiring presence of God.
The Glory of the LORD Fills Solomon's Temple
Fire falls and the glory of the LORD fills the temple at its dedication, so the
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Temple (Hekal)? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue