2 Crônicas 2
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 2
NJB (LXX versing) Solomon Will Build a Temple and Palace Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple Preparations for Building the Temple The Final Preparations. Huram of Tyre 1:18-2:9 2:1-2 2:1-10 2:1-2 2:1-2 2:3-10 2:3-10 2:3-10 Huram to Assist 2:10-13 2:11-16 2:11-16 2:11-12 2:11-16 2:13-16 2:14-15 Construction of the Temple Begins 2:16-17 2:17-18 2:17-18 2:17-18 2:17-18 Etc.
2 Crônicas 2:1-2
2:1 Solomon desired to build two royal houses. one for the true King, YHWH (i.e., 1 Sam. 8:7) one for His representative (i.e., Solomon, cf. 2 Chr. 7:11; 8:1; 9:11) Chronicles wants to emphasize the priority of the temple. "the name of the Lord" This is repeated in 2 Chr. 2:4. SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH (OT). 2:2 These laborers are said to be resident aliens in v. 17 (this was started by David in 1 Chr. 22:2). At this point, Solomon did not use forced laborers from the tribes of Israel (cf. 2 Chr. 8:8-9). However, the parallel in 1 Kgs. 5:13-18 does not mention "alien" workers. For a good brief discussion of "forced labor" see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 141-142.
2 Crônicas 2:3-10
2:3 "Huram" In 1 Kgs. 5:18 and 1 Chr. 14:1 he is called "Hiram" (the LXX, Peshitta, and Vulgate have "Hiram" here). He was friendly to David and now to David's son. We are never told that he was a worshiper of YHWH but this is implied. There are many differences in the details of Solomon's agreement with the king of Tyre between 1 Kings 5; 7 and 2 Chronicles 2. 2:4 "the Lord my God" This is the covenant title for Deity, YHWH, plus the SINGULAR form of Elohim, Eloah (cf. 2 Chr. 2:12). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C and D This verse lists many of the aspects of tabernacle worship. incense ‒ Exod. 30:1-7 showbread ‒ Exod. 25:30; 40:23; Lev. 24:5-9 burnt offerings each morning and evening (the continual) ‒ Exod. 29:38-42; Num. 28:3-31; 29:6-30 offerings on the sabbaths ‒ Num. 28:9,10; 1 Chr. 23:31 offerings on the new moon ‒ Num. 28:11-15; 1 Chr. 23:3 the appointed feasts ‒ Exod. 23:14-17; 34:22-24; Leviticus 23; Deut. 16:16; 1 Chr. 23:31 All of these were meant to be permanent. 2:5 "for greater is our God than all the gods" The title Elohim (BDB 43) is used twice. once for YHWH, Gen. 2:4 once for pagan gods, Exod. 15:11; 1 Chr. 16:25 angels of the heavenly council, Ps. 89:7 See SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM. YHWH is "greater" than all gods (cf. Exod. 12:12; 15:11; 18:11; 1 Chr. 16:25-26; Ps. 95:3; 96:4; 97:9; 135:5; 136:2). There are some texts that assert YHWH is greater than. . . (henotheism) YHWH is the only God. . . (monotheism) 2:6 "the heavens and the highest heavens" See Special Topics: HEAVEN (OT) THE HEAVENS AND THE THIRD HEAVEN "cannot contain Him" YHWH is "spirit" and is present throughout the created order, cf. 1 Kgs. 8:27; Ps. 139:7-12; Jer. 23:24. SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (NT). 2:7 "send me" This VERB (BDB 1018, KB 1511, Qal IMPERATIVE) is used in verses 7 and 8 (i.e., an IMPERATIVE OF REQUEST). It is also found in 2 Chronicles as a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense. Huram/Hiram had sent skilled workers (i.e., "wise," BDB 314, cf. 2 Chr. 2:7,12,13; 1 Chr. 22:15) to help David (cf. 1 Chr. 14:1), so now, Solomon. In many ways the author of Chronicles sets up a parallel between David and Solomon. "purple, crimson and violet" Exodus 25:4; 26:1,31; 28:5,6,8,15; 35:6,35; 36:8,25,37 list several colored, woven materials (possibly a canopy over the ark, cf. Exod. 26:31-35; 2 Chr. 3:10-14). purple (BDB 71; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p.498) ‒ 2 Chr. 2:7,14; 3:14 scarlet (BDB 502) ‒ 2 Chr. 2:7,13; 3:14 blue or violet (BDB 1067) ‒ 2 Chr. 2:7,14 However, these colors are not found in the description of Solomon's temple in 1 Kings. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE SACRED COLORS 2:8 There are several trees mentioned as prized lumber found in Lebanon. cedar (BDB 72) ‒ 1 Kgs. 5:8,10; 6:9,10,15,16,18,20,36; 7:2,3,7,11,12; 9:11; 1 Chr. 14:1; 17:1,6; 22:4; see USB, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 108 cypress (BDB 141) ‒ see UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, pp. 115-116 algum (BDB 38) ‒ 2 Chr. 2:8; 9:10-11; 1 Kgs. 10:11; see UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 164; some call it "sandal-wood"; it was used for temple furniture and musical instruments The UBS says, "There is great confusion in all versions, ancient and modern, over the identity of evergreens in the Bible" p. 116. All of these woods were beautiful to the sight easy to work with long lasting the timber of choice for temples and palaces From 1 Chr. 22:4, it becomes apparent that much of the material for the temple was stockpiled during David's reign. "how to cut" This VERB (BDB 310, KB 306, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) is used in two senses. here, of master craftsmen who harvested, transported, and formed lumber, cf. Ps. 144:12 of slave laborers who prepared and hauled firewood for Israel, cf. Deut. 29:11; Josh. 9:21,23,27 2:10 This would be Huram/Hiram's compensation (cf. 2 Chr. 2:15). "kors. . .bath" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES. NASB, NRSV, JPSOA "crushed" "ground" TEV, NJB, REB "wheat (with no ADJECTIVE)" "grain as food" "will give provisions" The problem is the rare use of a NOUN (BDB 646), which usually means "blow," "wound," or "slaughter." This is the only time it is used of grain. The Syriac and Latin versions follow the LXX. 2:10-12 Huram/Hiram seems to be a follower of YHWH. He cooperated with David and Solomon. He was not threatened by their power, wealth, and proximity. He acknowledges YHWH's character and plan for Israel. See Special Topics: He blesses the God of creation. He sends his choice materials and workmen (i.e., Israel's temple has much in common with Tyrian temples of the day). See Josephus' comments in Antiq. 8.2.6-9.
2 Crônicas 2:11-16
2:13-14 "Huram-abi" In the parallel of 1 Kgs. 7:13-14, he is called "Hiram" and his mother is from the tribe of Naphtali, not Dan. His father was from Tyre. Why the difference is uncertain. Possibly two different traditions or records. Unbelievers often point to differences like this to assert errors in the Bible. This kind of historical detail does not affect the theological issue of inspiration. See John H. Walton and D. Brent Sandy, The Lost World of Scripture, which describes how oral cultures passed on their traditions. 2:14 "fabrics" This word (BDB 101) does not appear in 2 Chr. 2:7, but is assumed. It refers to a fine, white Egyptian linen cloth (cf. 2 Chr. 3:14; Ezek. 27:16). It was a fabric used for royalty (cf. 1 Chr. 15:27; Esther 1:6; 8:15) and priests (cf. 2 Chr. 5:12). Here, it refers to decorations of Solomon's temple. 2:16 "Joppa" It is the only natural harbor on the Mediterranean coast of Canaan.
2 Crônicas 2:17-18
2:17 See note at 2 Chr. 2:2. 2:18 The number of "supervisors" in 1 Kgs. 5:16 is 3,300, but the LXX supports the MT's "3,600." The LXX used a different Hebrew textual tradition than the MT. However, it must be added that the LXX usually agrees with Samuel and Kings against Chronicles; not so here.