“House of the Forest of Lebanon” in the Book of Kings
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Answers
The House of the Forest of Lebanon first makes an appearance in Kings 1 6:2. The Aramaic translation of the text describes it as being the “house of cooling off of all the kings.” Rashi, the foremost commentary on Tanach, explains that it was a structure that was built with many openings to allow the breeze to ventilate the whole place and cool it down. Some of the commentaries explain that it was named after a forest called Lebanon that was next to the Temple complex. Others explain that the name “Forest of Lebanon” originated from the fact that there were many pillars in the building, which were made from cedars that came form Lebanon.
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