1 Kings 8:11

11 shining with the dazzling light of the Lord's presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties.

1 Kings 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:11

So that the priests could not stand to minister, because
of the cloud
Either through the darkness it first caused, or through the light that broke out of it, which was dazzling to them, or through the terror it struck their minds with; they could neither minister in the holy place, by offering incense there; and as for the most holy place, none but the high priest could minister there, and that on one day only; nor in the court of the priests, at the altar of burnt offerings:

for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord;
a bright and glorious stream came forth from the cloud, and spread itself all over the house, and then took up its abode in the most holy place as in the tabernacle, ( Exodus 40:34 ) ( Ezekiel 43:2 Ezekiel 43:4 Ezekiel 43:5 ) .

1 Kings 8:11 In-Context

9 There was nothing inside the Covenant Box except the two stone tablets which Moses had placed there at Mount Sinai, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were coming from Egypt.

10 As the priests were leaving the Temple, it was suddenly filled with a cloud

11 shining with the dazzling light of the Lord's presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties.

12 Then Solomon prayed: "You, Lord, have placed the sun in the sky, yet you have chosen to live in clouds and darkness.

13 Now I have built a majestic temple for you, a place for you to live in forever."