Definition: And the great court round about [was] with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 7:12 together. It’s a really important description of how God wanted to set up a special space for worship in the temple! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this describes a beautiful and significant area within the Temple that was designed for prayer and worship. Let’s look at each part: “And the great court round about…” : This tells us we’re talking about a large, circular space – think of it as a big circle. “…with three rows of hewed stones…” : "Hewed stones" means they were made with careful, shaped stones. These stones formed a ring around the perimeter of the court. It gives a sense of order and completeness. “and a row of cedar beams…” : Cedar is a type of wood that was very valuable at the time and used to build things. "Beams" are the sturdy wooden supports that hold up the roof and walls. “both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.” This is where it gets really interesting! “Inner Court of the House of the LORD” : This means a special area inside the temple dedicated to God. It was a place where priests could stand and offer prayers and sacrifices. “Porch of the house” : This is like a welcoming area, a place for people to gather and enjoy the presence of God. So, putting it all together: God wanted to create a special, beautiful space within the temple, designed to be used for prayer, worship, and offering gifts to the Lord. It was a circular area with rings of stones and supports, arranged in a way that emphasized the holiness and importance of God’s presence. Why is this important? This verse shows how important it was for the Israelites (and later Christians) to always remember and focus on God. It highlights the idea that their worship should be centered around Him, with a sense of reverence and order. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to a larger story or theme in the Bible?