Temple and Land

Peter J. Leithart, September 04, 2004

At a number of points, the names of the deputies or the place names listed in 1 Ki 4:7-19 are linked with terms that are used in the temple narratives in 1 Kings 6-8. Elonbeth-hanan, or Elon Beth-hanan, uses a form of EYL, one form of which means �gatepost�E(1 Ki 6:31). Arubboth, the name of the location of �Ben-hesed�Emeans �chimney�Eor �window�E(v. 10). Baana ben-Hushai is in �Bealoth�E(v. 16). It is possible that the place name is �Aloth,�Eand the �b-�Eis an attached preposition. If so, the place name is linked to the word for �ascension offering�E(OLAH). Jehoshaphat is son of Paruah, which comes from a verb meaning �sprout, bud, bloom�Eand is used of the budding ornamental flowers in the temple (1 Ki 7:26). In short, in organizing the land, Solomon is doing something analogous to building the temple. Temple and land are parallel realities, and this is highlighted by the presence of temple-related names in the list of officers.