2 Chronicles 4

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Chapter Overview

2 Chronicles 4 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of discipleship, salvation, worship. Written during the post-exilic reflection on the monarchy (c. 430-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written to remind returning exiles of their temple-centered worship and Davidic heritage.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 2 Chronicles and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

The Temple Furnishings

1 Moreover he made an altarAltar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach). The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. Sacrifice: 1 Kings 8:64

2 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.

5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:26

6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. Creation: 1 Kings 7:38, 7:40. Sacrifice: Ezekiel 40:38. Parallel theme: Psalms 51:2

7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:49, 1 Chronicles 28:12, John 8:12

8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold. Creation: 1 Kings 7:48. Temple: Ezekiel 44:16. Parallel theme: Isaiah 25:6, Zechariah 14:20, Malachi 1:12, 1 Corinthians 10:21

9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 6:36, 2 Kings 21:5

10 And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:39

11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.;

12 To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars; Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:41

13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:20

14 He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;

15 One sea, and twelve oxen under it.

16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. of bright brass. Kingdom: 2 Chronicles 4:11. Parallel theme: 2 Chronicles 2:13, 1 Chronicles 28:17

17 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.

18 Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. Parallel theme: 1 Kings 7:47

19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altarAltar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach). The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;

20 Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; Parallel theme: 2 Chronicles 4:7

21 And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;

22 And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holyHoly: קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh). The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means holy or set apart—separated from common use for God's purposes. God is 'the Holy One of Israel,' utterly distinct from creation in moral perfection. place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.