What do we learn from "veha'Ulam Al Pnei ha'Orech Al Pnei Rochav ha'Bayis"?
'Rashi': The length of the Ulam was along the 20 Amos width of the Bayis, from north to south; the longer measure is called length, and the smaller is called width. The Heichal's longer measure was from east to west, so that is called its length; its smaller measure was from north to south, so that is called its width. The Ulam's longer measure was from north to south, so that is called its length; its smaller measure was from east to west, so that is called its width. The width of the Ulam was 10, like it says in Melachim I, 6:3 "Eser Amos Rachbah Al Pnei ha'Bayis 1 ."
Malbim: Ezra gave a new Perush of the verse in Melachim I, 6:3 "veha'Ulam Al Pnei Heichal ha'Bayis Esrim Amah Arko Al Pnei Rochav ha'Bayis." "Heichal" refers to the Devir (Kodesh ha'Kodoshim) inside; its length is considered from north to south 2 . "Ha'Bayis" is the big house in front of the Devir (what we normally call Heichal); its length is from east to west. The length of the Ulam was along the length of the 'Heichal' (i.e. Kodesh ha'Kodoshim) and along the width of the 'Bayis' (what we normally call Heichal).
In Melachim I, 6:2 it says that the Bayis was 30 Amos tall. Why does it say here 120?
'Rashi': It was 30 Amos until the first roof, and from Aliyah to Aliyah until the top roof was [another] 90 Amos ? "Tavnis ha'Ulam v'Es Batav v'Ganzakav va'Aliyosav" (Divrei ha'Yamim I, 28:11) implies that there were Aliyos.
Was the entire Bayis 120 tall, or only the Ulam?
Radak: Our verse implies that only the Ulam was 120 tall. 'Ulam' is not included in 'ha'Bayis', and not vice-versa. "Tavnis ha'Ulam v'Es Batav v'Ganzakav va'Aliyosav" (Divrei ha'Yamim I, 28:11) implies that there were Aliyos only over the Ulam 1 . However, Chazal (Midos 4:5-6) imply that there were Aliyos over the entire Bayis.
Malbim] citing Mahari: The entire Bayis was 120 tall. Only one who stood in the Ulam saw this, for there was no lower ceiling above him. One who stood in the Bayis (Heichal or Kodesh ha'Kodoshim) saw only until the lowest ceiling, i.e. 30 Amos.
Radak: "Batav" includes the Heichal and Devir. Even though it was longer than the Ulam, it is attributed to the Ulam, for the Ulam was outside, and the Heichal and Devir were inside.
What was covered with gold on the inside?
