6:36 the inner court. Part of the exterior courtyard surrounding the temple, where the great altar and the molten Sea were situated (cf. 7:23–26). Access to this area nearest the temple itself may have been restricted to the priests (2 Chr. 4:9).

three courses. Each layer of stone was separated by a layer of cedar beams (cf. Ezra 6:4). Similar constructions have been unearthed at Megiddo.