2 Chronicles / Chapter 2

2 Chronicles 2

18 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Solomon resolves to build a house for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace. He conscripts a massive labor force from among the resident foreigners in Israel. He sends a message to Huram king of Tyre (the Chronicler's spelling of Hiram), requesting skilled artisans and timber from Lebanon — cedar, cypress, and algum wood. Solomon describes the Temple's purpose: it will be a place of incense, showbread, and perpetual burnt offerings. He acknowledges that heaven and the highest heavens cannot contain God, and that the house he builds is merely a place 'to burn incense before Him.' Huram responds with a letter praising the LORD who made heaven and earth, and sends Huram-abi, a master craftsman of mixed Tyrian-Danite parentage. Huram agrees to supply timber, floated as rafts down the coast to Joppa. Solomon conducts a census of all the resident foreigners in Israel — 153,600 — and assigns them as carriers, stonecutters, and overseers.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The Chronicler's version of the Hiram correspondence expands significantly on 1 Kings 5. Most notably, Solomon's letter contains an explicit theological disclaimer: 'The heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him — who am I that I should build Him a house, except to burn incense before Him?' (v. 5, Hebrew v. 6). This is extraordinary self-awareness for a king about to undertake history's most ambitious sacred building project. Solomon simultaneously claims the Temple is necessary and admits it is inadequate. The foreign king Huram's response includes a doxology — 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth' (v. 11, Hebrew v. 12) — making a pagan king confess Israelite creation theology. The Chronicler places Israel's most important theological assertions in the mouth of a Gentile.

Translation Friction

The Hebrew versification of 2 Chronicles 2 differs from the English by one verse throughout: Hebrew 2:1 = English 1:18, and Hebrew 2:2-17 = English 2:1-16. We follow the Hebrew (18-verse) versification. The name Huram-abi (v. 12, Hebrew v. 13) is peculiar — 'abi' means 'my father,' raising the question of whether this is a personal name or an honorific title ('Huram my master craftsman'). The craftsman's maternal lineage is given as Dan in Chronicles but Naphtali in 1 Kings 7:14, a well-known discrepancy that may reflect different tribal traditions or intermarriage between the tribes. The use of forced foreign labor (mas, corvee) raises ethical questions the text does not address, though the Chronicler pointedly notes that Solomon did not conscript Israelites for slave labor (cf. 2 Chronicles 8:9).

Connections

Solomon's timber request to Tyre mirrors David's earlier building relationship with Hiram (1 Chronicles 14:1). The skilled craftsman Huram-abi parallels Bezalel of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5) — both are spirit-filled artisans working with gold, silver, bronze, fabric, and engraving. The census of foreign laborers connects to the alien resident (ger) tradition in Torah — foreigners living in the land have obligations but also protections (Leviticus 19:33-34). The timber rafts floated to Joppa will later appear in Ezra 3:7, when the Second Temple builders use the same supply route, deliberately reprising Solomon's method.

2 Chronicles 2:1

וַיִּסְפֹּ֨ר שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶ֙לֶף֙ אִ֣ישׁ סַבָּ֔ל וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף אִ֣ישׁ חֹצֵ֑ב בָּהָ֕ר וּמְנַצְּחִ֣ים עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃

Solomon counted out seventy thousand burden-bearers, eighty thousand stonecutters in the hill country, and three thousand six hundred overseers to direct them.

KJV And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This verse is 1:18 in the Hebrew versification and serves as a bridge between the Gibeon narrative and the Temple preparations. The labor force totals 153,600 workers — all drawn from the resident foreigners (gerim) as clarified later in the chapter. The three categories — carriers (sabbal), stone-cutters (chotzev), and overseers (menatzeach) — represent a highly organized construction hierarchy. The numbers match the census in verse 17 (Hebrew v. 18).
2 Chronicles 2:2

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶל־חוּרָ֥ם מֶֽלֶךְ־צֹ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ עִם־דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔י וַתִּשְׁלַח־ל֣וֹ אֲרָזִ֔ים לִבְנֽוֹת־ל֥וֹ בַ֖יִת לָשֶׁ֥בֶת בּֽוֹ׃

Solomon sent word to Huram king of Tyre: "As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedars to build himself a house to dwell in —

KJV 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 an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Chronicler spells the Tyrian king's name Huram (churam) rather than Hiram (chiram) as in Kings. Solomon opens diplomatic correspondence by invoking the existing treaty relationship with David. The reference to David's palace (bayit lashevet bo, 'a house to dwell in') establishes precedent: Tyre supplied David's building materials, and Solomon now requests the same arrangement on a vastly larger scale.
2 Chronicles 2:3

הִנֵּה־אֲנִ֗י בוֹנֶ֥ה בַ֛יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָ֑י לְהַקְדִּ֣ישׁ ל֡וֹ לְהַקְטִ֣יר לְפָנָיו֩ קְטֹ֨רֶת סַמִּ֜ים וּמַעֲרֶ֤כֶת תָּמִיד֙ וְעֹל֗וֹת לַבֹּ֤קֶר וְלָעֶ֙רֶב֙ לַשַּׁבָּת֣וֹת וְלֶחֳדָשִׁ֔ים וּלְמוֹעֲדֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ לְעוֹלָ֥ם זֹ֖את עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, to consecrate it to Him — for burning fragrant incense before Him, for the perpetual arrangement of bread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at the new moons, and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is a perpetual obligation for Israel.

KJV Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

Notes & Key Terms 2 terms

Key Terms

שֵׁם shem
"Name" — name, reputation, identity, character, memorial, renown

shem in Temple theology is not merely a label but the accessible presence of God. Building 'for the Name' means creating a place where God's identity, character, and covenant relationship can be encountered. The Name dwells in the Temple while God's transcendent being remains beyond containment.

עוֹלָם olam
"forever" — forever, perpetual, ancient time, eternity, age-long

olam here establishes the Temple liturgy as a permanent institution — not a temporary measure but an enduring obligation laid upon Israel for all generations.

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase le-shem YHWH ('for the Name of the LORD') is the Chronicler's central Temple theology — the building houses God's Name, which is the accessible, relational dimension of God's being. The liturgical calendar embedded in this verse covers every temporal cycle: daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal. The Temple will be a house of perpetual worship, never silent, never dark.
2 Chronicles 2:4

וְהַבַּ֛יִת אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י בוֹנֶ֖ה גָּד֑וֹל כִּֽי־גָד֥וֹל אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ מִכׇּל־הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃

The house I am building will be great, because our God is greater than all gods.

KJV And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Solomon's logic is direct: gadol ha-bayit ki gadol Eloheinu — the house must be great because the God it serves is great. The comparative mikol ha-elohim ('above all gods') does not deny the existence of other deities in the ancient Near Eastern context but asserts the LORD's supremacy over them. The greatness of the building is a theological statement, not merely an architectural ambition.
2 Chronicles 2:5

וּמִ֣י יַעֲצׇר־כֹּ֗חַ לִבְנֽוֹת־ל֥וֹ בַ֛יִת כִּ֧י הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וּשְׁמֵ֥י הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לֹ֣א יְכַלְכְּלֻ֑הוּ וּמִ֤י אֲנִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶבְנֶה־לּ֣וֹ בַ֔יִת כִּ֖י אִם־לְהַקְטִ֥יר לְפָנָֽיו׃

Yet who has the power to build Him a house? The heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him! Who am I that I should build Him a house — except as a place to burn incense before Him?

KJV But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn incense before him?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase shmei ha-shamayim ('heavens of heavens' or 'highest heavens') represents the maximum extent of created space. The verb yekhalkeluhu ('can contain Him') is from the root k-l-l ('to hold, contain, sustain') — the same verb used for a vessel holding liquid. God cannot be held by any container, including the cosmos itself. This theology will be restated in Solomon's dedicatory prayer (6:18).
2 Chronicles 2:6

וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁלַֽח־לִ֣י אִישׁ־חָכָ֡ם לַעֲשׂוֹת֩ בַּזָּהָ֨ב וּבַכֶּ֜סֶף וּבַנְּחֹ֣שֶׁת וּבַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וּבָֽאַרְגְּוָן֙ וְכַרְמִ֣יל וּתְכֵ֔לֶת וְיֹדֵ֖עַ לְפַתֵּ֣חַ פִּתּוּחִ֑ים עִם־הַחֲכָמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמִּי֙ בִּיהוּדָ֣ה וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֵכִ֖ין דָּוִ֥יד אָבִֽי׃

Now send me a skilled craftsman who can work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, and who knows how to execute engravings — to work alongside the skilled artisans with me in Judah and Jerusalem whom David my father provided.

KJV Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The material list — gold, silver, bronze, iron, purple, crimson, blue — covers the full spectrum of Temple construction media: metals and dyed textiles. The verb lefatteach pituchim ('to engrave engravings') refers to decorative carving and metalwork. Solomon already has Judean artisans trained by David but needs a master craftsman to lead them. The request parallels the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab for the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6).
2 Chronicles 2:7

וּשְׁלַֽח־לִ֗י עֲצֵ֨י אֲרָזִ֤ים בְּרוֹשִׁים֙ וְאַלְגּוּמִּ֔ים מֵֽהַלְּבָנ֑וֹן כִּ֣י אֲנִ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אֲשֶׁ֤ר עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ יֽוֹדְעִ֔ים לִכְר֖וֹת עֲצֵ֥י לְבָנֽוֹן וְהִנֵּ֥ה עֲבָדַ֖י עִם־עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃

Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled at cutting Lebanon timber. My servants will work alongside yours

KJV Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Three types of timber are requested: arazim (cedars — the premier building wood), beroshim (cypress or juniper — aromatic and durable), and algummim (algum, possibly red sandalwood, imported via Lebanon). The cedars of Lebanon were the ancient world's most prized construction material, valued for their size, durability, and fragrance. Solomon acknowledges Tyrian expertise in forestry — the Lebanese mountains were Phoenician territory.
2 Chronicles 2:8

וּלְהָכִ֥ין לִ֛י עֵצִ֖ים לָרֹ֑ב כִּ֥י הַבַּ֛יִת אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י בוֹנֶ֖ה גָּד֥וֹל וְהַפְלֵֽא׃

to prepare timber for me in great quantity, for the house I am building will be great and marvelous.

KJV Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderfully great.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The adjective ve-hafle ('and marvelous, and extraordinary') is from the root p-l-' ('to be wonderful, surpassing'). Solomon does not merely say the Temple will be large but that it will evoke wonder — it is designed to astonish. The scale of the timber request reflects the ambition: a structure that transcends normal architectural categories.
2 Chronicles 2:9

וְהִנֵּ֣ה לַחֹטְבִ֣ים לְכֹרְתֵ֣י הָעֵצִ֡ים נָתַ֡תִּי חִטִּ֣ים ׀ מַכּ֣וֹת לַעֲבָדֶ֣יךָ כֹּרִ֣ים עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אֶ֡לֶף וּשְׂעוֹרִ֣ים כֹּרִ֣ים עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אֶ֡לֶף וְיַ֣יִן בַּתִּ֣ים עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אֶ֡לֶף וְשֶׁ֗מֶן בַּתִּ֛ים עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אָֽלֶף׃

I will supply your servants, the woodcutters who fell the timber: twenty thousand cors of crushed wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil."

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The payment is entirely in agricultural commodities — wheat, barley, wine, and oil — reflecting an economy where Phoenician Tyre, dependent on trade for food, exchanged manufactured goods and timber for Israelite grain and produce. A kor was approximately 220 liters (about 6 bushels); a bath was approximately 22 liters (about 6 gallons). These quantities represent an enormous annual provision, underscoring the scale of the trade agreement. The amounts differ from 1 Kings 5:11 (which lists 20,000 cors of wheat and 20 cors of oil), one of several numerical differences between the parallel accounts.
2 Chronicles 2:10

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר חוּרָם֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ צֹ֔ר בִּכְתָ֕ב וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה בְּאַהֲבַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ נְתָנְךָ֥ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶֽלֶךְ׃

Huram king of Tyre replied in a letter sent to Solomon: "Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you as king over them."

KJV And Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

אַהֲבָה ahavah
"love" — love, affection, devotion, desire, loyalty

ahavah here is used by a foreign king to describe the LORD's relationship with Israel. Huram interprets Solomon's rule as an expression of divine love — God loves this people so much that He gave them this particular king. The word places the Davidic monarchy within a framework of divine affection.

Translator Notes

  1. Huram's reply is be-khtav ('in writing') — a formal diplomatic letter, not an oral message. The Tyrian king's opening statement is remarkable: be-ahavat YHWH et ammo ('because of the LORD's love for His people'). A foreign king attributes Solomon's kingship to the love of Israel's God. The Chronicler uses Gentile testimony to validate both Solomon's reign and Israel's covenant God.
2 Chronicles 2:11

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חוּרָ֔ם בָּר֤וּךְ יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַן֩ לְדָוִ֨יד הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ בֵּ֣ן חָכָ֗ם יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ שֵׂ֣כֶל וּבִינָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְנֶה־בַּ֙יִת֙ לַיהוָ֔ה וּבַ֖יִת לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃

Huram also said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, endowed with insight and understanding, who will build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom."

KJV Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Huram's blessing — barukh YHWH Elohei Yisrael asher asah et ha-shamayim ve-et ha-aretz — is a full confession of Israelite creation theology from a Phoenician king. The phrase 'who made heaven and earth' identifies the LORD as cosmic Creator, not merely a national deity. Huram blesses God for giving David a ben chakham ('wise son'), confirming that Solomon's wisdom is divinely given and internationally recognized. The dual building project — a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom — will occupy Solomon's next twenty years.
2 Chronicles 2:12

וְעַתָּ֗ה שָׁלַ֙חְתִּי֙ אִישׁ־חָכָ֣ם יוֹדֵ֣עַ בִּינָ֔ה לְחוּרָ֖ם אָבִ֑י׃

Now I am sending a skilled man, endowed with understanding — Huram-abi.

KJV And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The name Huram-abi (literally 'Huram my father' or 'Huram the master') has generated much discussion. The 'abi' suffix may be an honorific title ('master craftsman') rather than a kinship term. In 1 Kings 7:13-14, the same figure is simply called Hiram. The Chronicler's addition of 'abi' may elevate his status — a 'father' or 'master' in the craft guild sense.
2 Chronicles 2:13

בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֣ה מִן־בְּנ֣וֹת דָּ֡ן וְאָבִ֣יו אִישׁ־צֹרִ֡י יוֹדֵ֣עַ לַעֲשׂוֹת֩ בַּזָּהָ֨ב וּבַכֶּ֜סֶף בַּנְּחֹ֣שֶׁת בַּבַּרְזֶ֗ל בָּאֲבָנִ֣ים וּבָעֵצִים֮ בָּאַרְגָּמָ֣ן בַּתְּכֵ֣לֶת וּבַבּ֣וּץ וּבַכַּרְמִיל֒ וּלְפַתֵּ֙חַ֙ כׇּל־פִּתּ֔וּחַ וְלַחְשֹׁ֖ב כׇּל־מַחֲשָׁ֑בֶת אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִנָּ֣תֶן ל֡וֹ עִם־חֲכָמֶ֗יךָ וְחַכְמֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י דָוִ֥יד אָבִֽיךָ׃

He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and timber, with purple, blue, fine linen, and crimson fabrics, and in executing every kind of engraving and designing any plan that is given to him. He will work alongside your skilled craftsmen and the craftsmen of my lord David your father.

KJV 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 find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Huram-abi's maternal lineage is traced to Dan; 1 Kings 7:14 says Naphtali. Both tribes occupied territory in the far north of Israel, and intermarriage between them was common. The craftsman's mixed parentage — Israelite mother, Tyrian father — makes him a bridge figure between the two peoples, just as the Temple project bridges Israelite worship and Phoenician craftsmanship. His skill list is comprehensive: metals, stone, wood, textiles, engraving, and design. The phrase lachshov kol machashevet ('to devise any design') indicates creative engineering capacity, not merely manual skill.
2 Chronicles 2:14

וְעַתָּ֗ה הַחִטִּ֣ים וְהַשְּׂעֹרִ֗ים הַשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙ וְהַיַּ֔יִן אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָמַ֖ר אֲדֹנִ֑י יִשְׁלַ֖ח לַעֲבָדָֽיו׃

Now, the wheat, barley, oil, and wine that my lord mentioned — let him send them to his servants.

KJV Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Huram accepts the proposed payment terms. The address 'my lord' (adoni) is diplomatic courtesy — Huram, himself a king, addresses Solomon with deference, reflecting either the political dynamics of the relationship or conventional diplomatic language between treaty partners.
2 Chronicles 2:15

וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ נִכְרֹ֨ת עֵצִ֤ים מִן־הַלְּבָנוֹן֙ כְּכׇל־צׇרְכֶּ֔ךָ וּנְבִיאֵ֥ם לְךָ֛ רַפְסֹד֖וֹת עַל־יָ֣ם יָפ֑וֹ וְאַתָּ֛ה תַּעֲלֶ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃

We will cut timber from Lebanon, as much as you need, and float it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa. You will transport it up to Jerusalem.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The logistics are specific: timber cut in the Lebanese mountains, transported to the coast, lashed into rafts (rafsodot), floated south along the Mediterranean to the port of Joppa (Yafo, modern Jaffa/Tel Aviv), then hauled overland and uphill approximately 55 kilometers to Jerusalem. This same supply route will be reused for the Second Temple (Ezra 3:7). Joppa was the nearest viable port to Jerusalem, despite the considerable overland distance.
2 Chronicles 2:16

וַיִּסְפֹּ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה כׇּל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הַגֵּירִים֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַסְּפָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר סְפָרָ֖ם דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֑יו וַיִּמָּצְא֗וּ מֵאָ֤ה וַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת׃

Solomon took a census of all the resident foreigners in the land of Israel, following the census David his father had conducted, and they were found to number 153,600.

KJV 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 an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The gerim ('resident foreigners, sojourners') are non-Israelites living permanently in the land — descendants of the pre-Israelite populations or immigrants who had settled among the tribes. Solomon's census follows David's precedent (1 Chronicles 22:2). The precise number 153,600 matches the labor force breakdown: 70,000 carriers + 80,000 stonecutters + 3,600 overseers = 153,600. The entire foreign labor force was counted and assigned.
2 Chronicles 2:17

וַיַּ֨עַשׂ מֵהֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶ֙לֶף֙ סַבָּ֔ל וּשְׁמוֹנִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף חֹצֵ֣ב בָּהָ֑ר וּשְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת אֲלָפִים֙ וְשֵׁ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת מְנַצְּחִ֖ים לְהַעֲבִ֥יד אֶת־הָעָֽם׃

He assigned seventy thousand of them as burden-bearers, eighty thousand as stonecutters in the hill country, and three thousand six hundred as overseers to keep the people at work.

KJV And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The labor assignments mirror verse 1 exactly, closing the inclusio: the chapter opens and closes with the same workforce numbers. The verb leha'avid ('to make work, to put to labor') is causative — the overseers' job is to ensure continuous productive labor. The Chronicler reserves this corvee labor for foreigners, distinguishing it from the broader conscription described in 1 Kings 5:13-14 which included Israelites.
2 Chronicles 2:18

וַיָּ֣חֶל שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לִבְנ֤וֹת אֶת־בֵּית־יְהוָה֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם בְּהַ֣ר הַמּוֹרִיָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִרְאָ֛ה לְדָוִ֥יד אָבִ֖יהוּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֵכִ֑ין בִּמְק֣וֹם דָּוִ֔יד בְּגֹ֖רֶן אׇרְנָ֥ן הַיְבוּסִֽי׃

Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to David his father, at the site David had prepared — on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

KJV Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This is the only passage in the Hebrew Bible that identifies the Temple mount with Mount Moriah of the Abraham narrative. The connection is theologically deliberate: the place where Abraham bound Isaac becomes the place where Israel offers perpetual sacrifice. The phrase asher nir'ah le-David ('where [the LORD] appeared to David') refers to the theophany at Ornan's threshing floor (1 Chronicles 21:16-27). The Chronicler layers three traditions onto one site: Abrahamic sacrifice, Davidic atonement, and Solomonic Temple.
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