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2 Chronicles 4

World English Bible

WEB

1Then he made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. 2Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, five cubits high, and thirty cubits in circumference. 3Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. 4It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward. 5It was a handbreadth thick. Its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths. 6He also made ten basins, and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to wash in them. The things that belonged to the burnt offering were washed in them, but the sea was for the priests to wash in. 7He made the ten lamp stands of gold according to the ordinance concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand and five on the left. 8He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left. He made one hundred basins of gold. 9Furthermore he made the court of the priests, the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid their doors with bronze. 10He set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south. 11Huram made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Huram finished doing the work that he did for King Solomon in God’s house: 12the two pillars, the bowls, the two capitals which were on the top of the pillars, the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, 13and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks—two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars. 14He also made the bases, and he made the basins on the bases— 15one sea, and the twelve oxen under it. 16Huram-abi also made the pots, the shovels, the forks, and all its vessels for King Solomon, for Yahweh’s house, of bright bronze. 17The king cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredah. 18Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance, so that the weight of the bronze could not be determined. 19Solomon made all the vessels that were in God’s house: the golden altar, the tables with the show bread on them, 20and the lamp stands with their lamps to burn according to the ordinance before the inner sanctuary, of pure gold; 21and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs of gold that was purest gold; 22and the snuffers, the basins, the spoons, and the fire pans of pure gold. As for the entry of the house, its inner doors for the most holy place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were of gold.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Chronicles Chapter 4 provides a detailed account of the construction and furnishings of the temple that King Solomon built for the Lord in Jerusalem. This chapter emphasizes the grandeur and significance of the temple, reflecting God’s presence among His people. Solomon made a great bronze altar, which was used for sacrifices, symbolizing the importance of worship and atonement in the life of Israel. The altar's size and materials highlight the reverence and honor due to God, as seen in verses like 2 Chronicles 4:1, where it states, "He made a great bronze altar, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high." This altar served as a central place for the people to come and offer their sacrifices to God, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The chapter continues to describe various items crafted for the temple, including the ten lampstands, the ten tables, and the large bronze basin known as the Sea. The Sea, which was used for the priests to wash, signifies purification and the need for holiness in approaching God. The intricate details of these furnishings, such as the craftsmanship of the cherubim and the bowls, illustrate the beauty and dedication put into the temple, as seen in verses 2 Chronicles 4:6, which mentions, "He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits high." This chapter ultimately serves to remind us of the importance of worship and the sacredness of the space where God dwells among His people, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David through Solomon's obedience and dedication to building the temple.

In summary, 2 Chronicles 4 not only details the physical aspects of the temple but also reflects the spiritual significance of worship and the presence of God in the lives of His people. It invites us to consider how we honor God in our own lives and the importance of creating spaces for worship and communion with Him. #Solomon #Temple #Worship #Sacrifice #PresenceOfGod

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