לוּל
a spiral step
Definition
The Hebrew noun לוּל (lûwl) refers specifically to a 'spiral step' or 'winding staircase.' It describes a type of architectural feature, likely a corkscrew or helical stairway, used in ancient construction. This term appears only in 1 Kings 6:8, where it details the design of Solomon's Temple, specifying access between temple levels. The word conveys the idea of a coiled or circular ascent, distinct from a straight flight of steps. Its singular biblical occurrence ties its meaning exclusively to this architectural context in the temple narrative.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Kings 6:8, within a detailed architectural description of Solomon's Temple. It specifies the means of access—'the winding staircase'—that went up from the lowest story to the middle and then to the third story of the temple's side chambers. The usage is purely descriptive and technical, found in the historical books that document the temple's construction, with no poetic or metaphorical application elsewhere.
Etymology
לוּל derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to fold back' or 'to coil,' which aptly conveys the spiraling nature of the staircase. This root idea of folding or winding is reflected in the noun's meaning. A related word, לֻלָאָה (lulâ'âh, H3924), meaning 'loop' or 'fold,' shares this etymological background, both pointing to concepts of circularity or turning.
Semantic Range
While לוּל itself is a mundane architectural term, its sole use in describing Solomon's Temple gives it indirect theological significance. The temple was God's dwelling place among His people, and its intricate design, including features like this winding stair, reflected order, beauty, and intentionality in worship space. Understanding this detail enriches reading by highlighting the care and specificity in the temple's construction as commanded by God, pointing to the holiness and precision associated with His house.
In the ancient Near East, spiral staircases were an advanced architectural technique, allowing efficient vertical access within thick-walled structures like temples or fortifications. The mention in 1 Kings 6:8 reflects the sophisticated engineering and lavish resources employed in Solomon's Temple, setting it apart as a monumental achievement. A modern reader might simply think of 'stairs,' but the Hebrew specifies a winding design, which would have been notable in its time for both practicality and grandeur.
לֻלָאָה (lulâ'âh, H3924) — means 'loop' or 'fold'; shares the root concept of coiling but is used for flexible materials like cords, not solid architecture.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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