The vestibule … was twenty cubits long … and ten cubits deep …: Vestibule renders a technical architectural term in Hebrew that means “portico” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “porch” (Contemporary English Version, Anchor Bible). This same Hebrew term is rendered “Hall” and “porch” in 1 Kgs 7.6, and “vestibule” in 1 Kgs 7.12. It was an unroofed structure through which one had to pass in order to enter the sanctuary itself. Like the sanctuary, the vestibule was twenty cubits wide (or long) from side to side. It was ten cubits long (or deep) from front to back. The writer does not say how tall the vestibule was.

The nave refers to the part of the sanctuary in front of the inner sanctuary (verse 16). It is described in more detail in verse 17. The nave, which was forty cubits long (about 20 meters or 60 feet), and the inner sanctuary, which was twenty cubits long, together made up the house, which was sixty cubits long. As already mentioned, nave is transliterated as “Hekal” by certain versions like New Jerusalem Bible and Osty-Trinquet. But New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh provides a more helpful model with “the Great Hall [of the House].” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible is quite similar. In other languages translators may have to say “the main hall” (Anchor Bible) or “the Main Room” and explain it further in the glossary. The English word nave is misleading since it refers to a central space separated from space on the sides by rows of pillars.

For cubits see the comments on verse 2.

New Living Translation may be a helpful model for the entire verse:

• The foyer at the front of the Temple was 30 feet wide, running across the entire width of the Temple. It projected outward 15 feet from the front of the Temple.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .