2 Crônicas 3
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 3
NJB (LXX versing) The Temple Construction in Jerusalem Solomon Builds the Temple Details of the Building Construction of the Temple Begins (2:17-3:14) Solomon Builds the Temple 3:1-2 3:1-7 3:1-7 3:1-9 3:1-7 Dimensions and Materials of the Temple 3:3-7 3:8-9 3:8-14 3:8-9 3:8-13 3:10-14 3:10-14 3:10-14 The Two Bronze Columns 3:14 3:15-17 3:15-17 3:15-17 3:15-17 3:15-17 Etc.
2 Crônicas 3:1-2
3:1 Josephus, Antiq. 8.3.1-3 tells of this building project. "Mount Moriah" This was one of the seven hills of Jerusalem. It was the site of the offering of Isaac (cf. Gen. 32:2,14). SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM "where the Lord appeared to his father David" This event is recorded in 1 Chronicles 18. David is connected to the temple in several ways. He wanted to build the temple ‒ 2 Samuel 7. He designed the overall plan. He gathered the materials (using Hiram) He was directed by YHWH where to build it. "Ornan the Jebusite" In 2 Sam. 24:16 he is called "Araunah the Jebusite." However, in 1 Chr. 21:15,18-27,28, he goes by "Ornan" (BDB 75). 3:2 The proposed date would be the spring of 966 b.c. (cf. 1 Kgs. 6:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE CALENDARS
2 Crônicas 3:3-7
3:3 "cubits" The description of the temple here is a summary of 1 Kings 6-7. Much needed information has been left out is in "technical" terms purposeful hyperbole that the ancient versions did not understand. For a good brief discussion see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 313-321. SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT 3:4 NASB, JPSOA, Peshitta "the porch" NKJV, NRSV, REB "the vestibule" "entrance room" "the portico" "an ailam" The "porch" (BDB 17) was an added feature of Solomon's temple (cf. 1 Kg. 6:3; 7:6,12,19,21; Ezek. 8:16). It was part of David's plan (cf. 1 Chr. 28:11). It was also part of Ezekiel's new temple (cf. Ezek. 40:7,8,48,49; 41:25,26). NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, JPSOA, LXX "the height 120" "180 feet high" REB, Peshitta, NIV "20" The UBS Text Project gives "120" a "B" rating (i.e., some doubt). However, it seems a more realistic measurement is found in 1 Kgs. 6:3, where the porch is measured as 20 cubits by 10 cubits, but the height is not mentioned. The JPSOA diagram, p. 1769, says it was "three stories" tall. However, the "bronze pillars" are only 27' (i.e., 18 cubits) tall (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:15; 2 Kgs. 25:17; Jer. 52:21). The MT has the pillars as "thirty five cubits" high (cf. 2 Chr. 3:15), which is 52.5 feet. The NET Bible, p. 671, #9, suggests that a scribe misread "cubit" as "hundred." "he overlaid it with pure gold" The NASB Study Bible, p. 592, suggests that the VERB "overlaid" (BDB 860, KB 1045, Piel IMPERFECT with waw, cf. 2 Chr. 3:6,10) may denote "inlaid," referring to the items of 3:5. A different VERB (BDB 341, KB 339, Piel IMPERFECT with waw) is used in 2 Chr. 3:5,7,8,9. In the tabernacle, gold was limited to the "holy of holies," while silver was used for the "holy place" and bronze for the laver and altar of sacrifice. But in Solomon's temple gold was used in more places. 3:5 "palm trees and chains" The decorations of the temple employed palm trees (cf. 1 Kgs. 6:29,32; 7:36; Ezek. 40:16) chains, 2 Chr. 3:5,16 (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:17) pomegranates, 2 Chr. 3:16 (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:42) cherubim in the wall hangings (1 Kgs. 7:27-39) carved into wood, 2 Chr. 3:7; 1 Kgs. 6:29,35 two large ones in the holy of holies covering the ark, 2 Chr. 3:10-14; 1 Kgs. 6:23-28 on the lid of the ark, facing each other, Exod. 25:18-20; Num. 7:89 although not mentioned in this context, 1 Kgs. 6:29,32 also mentions "open flowers," which may refer to the menorah's seven flower-shaped tops SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM 3:6 "he adorned the house with precious stones" There are texts that tell us what kind of stones (1 Chr. 29:2) where they were placed (1 Kgs. 5:17; 7:9,10,11) Some have suggested "inlaid floors." Like the gold, these gems were a way to show the value, worth, and glory of YHWH's temple. NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA, REB, Targums "Parvaim" "Pharouaim" Peshitta, Vulgate "fine gold" Obviously modern translations and the LXX think it is a place name. northeastern Arabia (JPSOA) southeast Arabia (NASB Study Bible) Yemen mythological (i.e., Gaden of Righteousness, Enoch 60:23) rabbinical Midrash, home of Enoch (Gen. 5:21-23) another name for Ophir (2 Chr. 8:18) The suggestion of the Peshitta aand Vulgate of "fine" gold seems unusual, since the adjective "pure" gold is mentioned in 2 Chr. 3:4 (BDB 373) and "fine" gold (BDB 373 II) in 3:5,8. The exact distinction between these types of gold is unstated. 3:7 "cherubim" See note at 2 Chr. 3:5.
2 Crônicas 3:8-9
3:8 "holy of holies" This was the innermost part of the tabernacle/temple. It was shaped as a perfect cube (i.e., 20x20x20 cubits; this would make the dimensions of 2 Chr. 3:4, "120 cubits high" a scribal error). This is where the ark of the covenant rested. Only the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement (cf. Leviticus 16), could enter this sacred place where YHWH dwelt above the cherubim. SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE (chart)
2 Crônicas 3:10-14
3:9 The NASB Study Bible, p. 592, has a good note: "The fact that gold is such a soft metal would make it unlikely that nails were made of this substance. It is probable that this small amount (only 1 1/4 pounds) represents gold leaf or sheeting used to gild the nail heads." "the upper rooms" One wonders if the perfect cube (20x20x20 cubits) caused a space above the Holy of Holies. This is all speculation based on an assumed height of the building (i.e., "thirty cubits," 1 Kgs. 6:2). These "upper rooms" are mentioned as being planned by David (cf. 1 Chr. 28:11). 3:10 NASB, JPSOA "sculptured" "fashioned by carving" NRSV, REB "carved" "made out of metal" "modeled. . .of wrought metal work" "fashioned. . .out of wood" This is a NOUN CONSTRUCT (BDB 795 plus BDB 847). The NOUN (BDB 795) is a common word for "deed" or "work." Here, of "a work of art." The other NOUN (BDB 847) occurs only here. It is from an Arabic root, "things formed." The MT is not specific whether the cherubim are fashioned from metal (TEV, NJB; AB, p. 15) wood (LXX, NKJV, NRSV, REB) Whichever, it was overlaid with gold. 3:13 "they stood on their feet" This clearly shows that there was a second pair of cherubim. The ones on the lid of the ark were kneeling. "facing the main room" This would refer to the larger room, the Holy Place (i.e., twice as long). These angels stood as guardians (i.e., Gen. 3:24). The two cherubim on the ark faced each other, watching the "mercy seat" (i.e., the place of atonement, cf. Leviticus 16). 3:14 "the veil" This could refer to a room-dividing curtain; this one between the "holy of holies" and the Holy Place (cf. Exod. 36:35-38) a canopy suspended above the ark of the covenant For the colors, see note at 2 Chr. 2:7. In Solomon's temple the inner shrine (i.e., Holy of Holies and Holy Place) was divided by a door of olive wood (cf. 1 Kgs. 6:31). SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT
2 Crônicas 3:15-17
3:15-17 These are the two bronze pillars that stood at the entrance of the Holy Place (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:15-22). 3:15 "thirty-five cubits high" The NET Bible suggests this was the length of both of them lying on the ground, p. 671, #24,26. 1 Kings 7:15 and 2 Kgs. 25:17 say their height was 18 cubits. 3:16 "chains" These are also mentioned in 1 Kgs. 7:17. NASB, NKJV, JPSOA "the inner sanctuary" NRSV, TEV, REB --- omitted --- "in the Debir" A NOUN (BDB 184 I, KB 208 I), which is defined as "hindmost chamber" or "innermost room," from an Arabic root, "back" or "behind" (KB 209 I). However, the Hebrew word "debar" (BDB 182, KB 210 II) is the common root for "speech" or "word." This may be a designation of the room from which YHWH speaks (cf. Num. 7:89), from above the wings of the cherubim on the lid of the ark. It must be noted that "inner sanctuary" (i.e., second suggestion) does not fit this context, which is talking about the twin bronze pillars before the porch of the Holy Place. 3:17 "Jachin" This proper name (BDB 467, KB 410) for the right bronze pillar may mean "he will establish." "Boaz" This proper name (BDB 126, KB 142 II) for the left bronze pillar may mean "quickness" or "strength." Some scholars assume that the writing on the two pillars are one phrase, "he establishes in strength."