2-Chronicles-2-Vv-1-17
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please
do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the
following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC),
and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is
my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations
or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER
SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep
the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
Verses: 1 to 17:.
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Foreword:
As we move
from Solomon’s spiritual preparation in Chapter 1 to his practical
implementation in 2 Chronicles Chapter 2, we see the King’s wisdom in action.
He transitions from the “night-vision” of Gibeon to the daylight of
administration, diplomacy, and construction.
Introduction:
In this
chapter, Solomon “purposes” to build a new house for the Name
of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD
Elohim (God) and
a palace for his own kingdom. The central theme here is sanctification
through excellence. Solomon understands that a building for the
Creator must reflect the Creator’s glory, requiring the finest materials and
the most skilled hands. This chapter also introduces the concept of sacred
partnership, as Solomon reaches out to the Gentile King Huram (Hiram) of Tyre, demonstrating that the Temple, while
being the heart of Israel, was intended to be a light for all nations.
YYYYYYY
Let us now read 2 Chronicles Chapter 2, Vv 1 to
17: (JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
1. And Solomon counted out
threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand men that
were hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee
them. 2. And Solomon sent to Huram
the king of Tyre, saying: ‘As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst
send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein, (even so deal with me). 3. Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of יְהוָה - the LORD my אֱלֹהִים- Elohim,
to dedicate it to Him, and to burn before Him incense of sweet spices, and for
the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on
the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the
appointed seasons of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה
- the LORD Elohim. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. 4. And
the house which I build is great; for great is our אֱלֹהִים- Elohim
above all gods. 5. But who is able to build Him
a house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? who am I then, that I should build Him a house, save only to
offer before Him? 6. Now therefore send me a man
skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in
purple, and crimson, and blue, and that hath skill to grave all manner of gravings, to be with the skilful men that are with me in
Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. 7. Send
me also cedar-trees, cypress-trees, and sandal-wood, out of Lebanon; for I know
that thy servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants
shall be with thy servants, 8 even to prepare me
timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build shall be great and
wonderful. 9. And, behold, I will give to thy
servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat,
and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and
twenty thousand baths of oil’. 10. Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent
to Solomon: ‘Because יְהוָה - the LORD loveth His people, He hath made thee
king over them’. 11. Huram
said moreover: ‘Blessed be אֱלֹהֵי- יְהוָה - the LORD, the Elohey
of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise
son, endued with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for יְהוָה - the LORD, and a house for his kingdom. 12. And
now I have sent a skilful man, endued with understanding, even Huram my master craftsman, 13. the
son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre,
skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in
timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave
any manner of graving, and to devise any device; to do whatever may be set
before him, with thy skilful men, and with the skilful men of my lord David thy
father. 14. Now therefore the wheat and the
barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto
his servants; 15. and
we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring
it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem’. 16. And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in
the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered
them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and
six hundred. 17. And he set threescore and ten
thousand of them to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to
set the people at work.
YYYYYYY
Below is the Commentary for 2 Chronicles Chapter 2:
The Magnitude of the Task
(vv. 1-2): Solomon organizes a massive workforce of 150,000 labourers and
3,600 overseers. Notably, the Chronicler emphasizes that these were primarily “strangers”
(aliens) residing in Israel, sparing the native Israelites from the harshest
forced labour, a detail that highlights Solomon's justice and administrative
care.
The Theological
Declaration (vv. 3-5): In his letter to Huram,
Solomon makes a profound theological point: “The house which I build is great;
for great is our אֱלֹהִים- Elohim above all gods”. He is careful to clarify that
he does not believe אֱלֹהִים- Elohim literally dwells in a building, since the “heaven of
heavens” cannot contain Him, but rather that the Temple is a dedicated place
for man to
meet אֱלֹהִים- Elohim
through service and sacrifice.
The Request for Skill
(vv. 6-9): Solomon asks for a master craftsman skilled in gold,
silver, and precious fabrics. This reflects the principle that “good enough” is
not sufficient for the Divine. He also requests the legendary cedars of
Lebanon, acknowledging that the servants of Tyre have a specialized skill that
his own people lack. This is an act of humility, recognizing and valuing excellence
wherever it is found.
The Response of Huram (vv. 10-15): Huram’s
reply is remarkable. He blesses יְהוָה - the “LORD, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel, who made heaven and earth”. This
indicates that Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel served as a sanctification of the Name (Kiddush יְהוָה - the LORD), compelling a pagan king to
acknowledge the One True אֱלֹהִים- Elohim.
The Logistics (vv. 16-17): The chapter
concludes with the practical details of the timber being floated in rafts by
sea to Joppa. It shows that spiritual vision must be supported by diligent logistics; the highest prayers are often
supported by the lowliest “burden-bearers”.
My
Closing Message:
Chapter 2
reminds us that our work in this world whether we are building a temple or
managing a household, should be done with intentionality and
excellence. Solomon did not just want a building; he wanted a “house
for the Name”. When we dedicate our daily tasks in the “Name of יְהוָה - the LORD”, our mundane work becomes holy. Furthermore, Solomon’s
collaboration with ‘Huram’ teaches us that we should
not be afraid to seek help or use the best tools available to us, regardless of
their source, provided they serve a holy purpose. True wisdom knows when to
lead and when to learn from others!
YYYYYYY
Please
Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This
site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and
wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or
three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us,
especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very
much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember
what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via
several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will
return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of
hosts”. Mal’a’chi -
Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
YYYYYYY
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and
please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Enter ...
http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm
Enter ...
https://www.hebraicstudies.net
-hebraicstudies.net-
Email
the Rabbi
If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.
Although the
author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in
the mid 1980’,
but there have been occasions where there parts of his
studies have been taken and quoted out of context
under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by
those who have their own reasons for doing so.
Thus, it is
only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...
Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic Studies” - All rights reserved.