II Chronicles 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The brazen altar, Ch2 4:1. Molten sea, and its supporters, Ch2 4:2-5. The ten lavers, Ch2 4:6. Ten golden candlesticks, Ch2 4:7. Ten tables, the hundred golden basons, and the priests' court, Ch2 4:8-10. The works which Huram performed, Ch2 4:11-17. Solomon finishes the temple, and its utensils, Ch2 4:18-22.
Open source ↗ALTAR OF BRASS. (Ch2 4:1) he made an altar of brass--Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar, but the use of these could be no longer forbidden (Exo 20:26) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (Exo 28:42). It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five, and in height seventeen and a half feet. The thickness of the metal used for this altar is nowhere given; but supposing it to have been three inches, the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [NAPIER].
Open source ↗See Introduction to Chapter 4 Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 5
Open source ↗Ch2 4:1-6. The copper furniture of the court. Ch2 4:1. The altar of burnt-offering. Its preparation is passed over in 1 Kings 6 and 7, so that there it is only mentioned incidentally in connection with the consecration of the temple, Kg1 8:22, Kg1 8:54, and Kg1 9:25. It was twenty cubits square (long and broad) and ten cubits high, and constructed on the model of the Mosaic altar of burnt-offering, and probably of brass plates, which enclosed the inner core, consisting of earth and unhewn stones; and if we may judge from Ezekiel's description, Eze 43:13-17, it rose in steps, as it were, so that at each step its extent was smaller; and the measurement of twenty cubits refers only to the lowest scale, while the space at the top, with the hearth, was only twelve cubits square; cf. my Bibl. Archaeol. i. S. 127, with the figure, plate iii. fig. 2.
Open source ↗David often speaks with much affection both of the house of the Lord and of the courts of our God. Both without doors and within there was that which typified the grace of the gospel and shadowed out good things to come, of which the substance is Christ. I. There were those things in the open court, in the view of all the people, which were very significant. 1. There was the brazen altar, Ch2 4:1. The making of this was not mentioned in the Kings. On this all the sacrifices were offered, and it sanctified the gift. This altar was much larger than that which Moses made in the tabernacle; that was five cubits square, this was twenty cubits square. Now that Israel had become both numerous and more rich, and it was to be hoped more devout (for every age should aim to be wiser and better than that which went before it), it was expected that there would be a greater abundance of offerings brought to God's altar than had been. It was therefore made such a capacious scaffold that it might hold them all, and none might excuse themselves from bringing those temptations of their devotion by alleging that there was not room to receive them. God had greatly enlarged their borders; it was therefore fit that they should enlarge his altars. Our returns should bear some proportion to our receivings. It was ten cubits high, so that the people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifice burnt, and their eye might affect their heart with sorrow for sin: "It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not thus consumed, and that this is accepted as an expiation of my guilt." They might thus be led to consider the great sacrifice which should be offered in the fulness of time to take away sin and abolish death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. And with the smoke of t…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… עָגֹל (ʻâgôl, H5696) — circular סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height קַו (qav, H6957) — a cord (as connecting), especially formeasuring; figuratively, a rule; also a rim, a… שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
Open source ↗דְּמוּת (dᵉmûwth, H1823) — resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… נָקַף (nâqaph, H5362) — to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold טוּר (ṭûwr, H2905) — a row; hence, a wall יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… מוּצָקָה (mûwtsâqâh, H4166) — properly, something poured out, i.e. a casting (of metal); by implication, a tube (as…
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗עֲבִי (ʻăbîy, H5672) — density, i.e. depth or width טֵפַח (ṭêphach, H2947) — a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a… שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… כּוֹס (kôwç, H3563) — a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean… פֶּרַח (perach, H6525) — a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom שׁוּשַׁן (shûwshan, H7799) — a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight)… חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… בַּת (bath, H1324) — a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) כִּיּוֹר (kîyôwr, H3595) — properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) דּוּחַ (dûwach, H1740) — to thrust away; figuratively, to cleanse יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) מְנוֹרָה (mᵉnôwrâh, H4501) — a chandelier זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) שֻׁלְחָן (shulchân, H7979) — a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal יָנַח (yânach, H3240) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction מִזְרָק (mizrâq, H4219) — a bowl (as if for sprinkling) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent עֲזָרָה (ʻăzârâh, H5835) — an inclosure; also a border דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… יְמָנִי (yᵉmânîy, H3233) — right (i.e. at the right hand) כָּתֵף (kâthêph, H3802) — the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments… קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,…
Open source ↗חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סִיר (çîyr, H5518) — a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook יָע (yâʻ, H3257) — a shovel מִזְרָק (mizrâq, H4219) — a bowl (as if for sprinkling) חִירָם (Chîyrâm, H2438) — Chiram or Chirom, the name of two Tyrians כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform גֻּלָּה (gullâh, H1543) — a fountain, bowl or globe (all as round) כֹתֶרֶת (kôthereth, H3805) — the capital of a column רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… שְׂבָכָה (sᵉbâkâh, H7639) — a net-work, i.e. (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or…
Open source ↗אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction רִמּוֹן (rimmôwn, H7416) — a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שְׂבָכָה (sᵉbâkâh, H7639) — a net-work, i.e. (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a… טוּר (ṭûwr, H2905) — a row; hence, a wall אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… גֻּלָּה (gullâh, H1543) — a fountain, bowl or globe (all as round) כֹתֶרֶת (kôthereth, H3805) — the capital of a column פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְכוֹנָה (mᵉkôwnâh, H4350) — a pedestal, also a spot כִּיּוֹר (kîyôwr, H3595) — properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish forcoals or a…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,
Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.
But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there.