Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 4

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 4:1, The altar of brass; 2 Chronicles 4:2, The molten sea upon twelve oxen; 2 Chronicles 4:6, The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables; 2 Chronicles 4:9, The courts, and the instruments of brass; 2 Chronicles 4:19, The instruments of gold.

Verse 1

an altar: 2 Chronicles 1:5, Exodus 27:1-8, 1 Kings 8:22, 1 Kings 8:64, 1 Kings 9:25, 2 Kings 16:14, 2 Kings 16:15, Ezekiel 43:13-17

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:1 - the altar 2 Samuel 8:8 - exceeding 2 Chronicles 7:7 - the brazen 2 Chronicles 8:12 - on the altar 2 Chronicles 15:8 - the altar of the Lord 2 Chronicles 29:18 - the altar 2 Chronicles 32:12 - one altar Ezra 3:3 - the altar Ezekiel 9:2 - beside Ezekiel 43:16 - twelve cubits

Verse 2

a molten sea: Exodus 30:18-21, 1 Kings 7:23, Zechariah 13:1, Titus 3:5, Revelation 7:14

brim to brim: Heb. his brim to his brim

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:29 - carved figures 2 Kings 25:13 - bases 1 Chronicles 18:8 - wherewith 2 Chronicles 4:6 - but the sea 2 Chronicles 4:15 - General Jeremiah 27:19 - the pillars

Verse 3

And under: 1 Kings 7:24-26, Ezekiel 1:10, Ezekiel 10:14, 1 Corinthians 9:9-10, Revelation 4:7

oxen: In the parallel passage of Kings, instead of bekarim, "oxen," we have pekaim, "knops," in the form of colocynths. (See note on 1 Kings 6:18, and see note on 2 Kings 4:39); which last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to received be here; bekarim, "oxen," being a mistake for pekaim, "knops." Houbigant, however, contends that the words in both places are right; but that bakar does not signify an ox here, but a large kind of grape, according to its meaning in Arabic. But Dr. A. Clarke states that bakar, or bakarat, has no such meaning in Arabic, though the phrase aino 'lbikri, or "ox-eye," signifies a species of black grape, very large, and of incredible sweetness; that consequently the criticism of this great man is not solid; and that the likeliest method of reconciling the two places is to suppose a change in the letters as above.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:26 - it contained

Verse 4

It stood: Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 21:14

three: Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46, Luke 24:47, Acts 9:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:25 - General

Verse 5

with flowers of lilies: or, like a lily flower

three thousand baths: In the parallel passage, it is said to hold only two thousand baths; which some think may be reconciled by supposing that the quantity of water which was commonly in it was 2,000 baths, but that, if filled up to the top, it would hold 3,000. But, as we have already seen that the Babylonish cubit was less than that of the ancient Hebrews, it might be the same with measures of capacity; so that 2,000 of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to 3,000 of those used after the captivity. The Targum cuts the knot: "It received 3,000 baths of dry measure, and held 2,000 of liquid measure." See note on 1 Kings 7:26. 1 Kings 7:26

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:25 - General 2 Chronicles 4:21 - the flowers

Verse 6

ten lavers: Exodus 30:18-21, 1 Kings 7:38, 1 Kings 7:40, Psalms 51:2, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 John 1:7

such things as they offered for the burnt offering: Heb. the work of burnt offering, Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 1:13, Ezekiel 40:38

but the sea: 2 Chronicles 4:2, Exodus 29:4, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 9:23, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6, Revelation 7:14

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:26 - it contained 1 Kings 7:39 - he set 2 Chronicles 4:14 - lavers Jeremiah 52:19 - and the candlesticks

Verse 7

ten candlesticks: 1 Kings 7:49, 1 Chronicles 28:15, Zechariah 4:2, Zechariah 4:3, Zechariah 4:11-14, Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12, Revelation 1:20

according to: Exodus 25:31-40, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 1 Chronicles 28:19, Hebrews 8:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 24:13 - which Solomon 2 Chronicles 4:20 - the candlesticks 2 Chronicles 29:18 - the altar

Verse 8

ten tables: Exodus 25:23-30, Exodus 37:10-16, 1 Kings 7:48, Isaiah 25:6, Ezekiel 44:16, Malachi 1:12, 1 Corinthians 10:21

basins: or, bowls, Jeremiah 52:18, Jeremiah 52:19, Zechariah 14:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:40 - the lavers 1 Chronicles 28:16 - tables of showbread 2 Chronicles 29:18 - the showbread Ezra 1:9 - chargers of gold Nehemiah 7:70 - basins

Verse 9

the court: 1 Kings 6:36, 1 Kings 7:12

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 6:13 - the court 2 Chronicles 33:5 - in the two Psalms 92:13 - in the Ezekiel 10:5 - outer Ezekiel 44:1 - the outward

Verse 10

1 Kings 7:39

Verse 11

the pots: 1 Kings 7:40, 1 Kings 7:45

basins: or, bowls

finished: Heb. finished to make

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:3 - his shovels Numbers 4:12 - General 1 Kings 7:13 - Hiram 2 Chronicles 4:16 - pots also Ezra 1:9 - chargers of gold Nehemiah 7:70 - basins Jeremiah 52:18 - the shovels

Verse 12

To wit: 2 Chronicles 3:15-17

the pommels: 1 Kings 7:41

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:14 - of wreathen 1 Kings 7:15 - two pillars 1 Kings 7:16 - General 2 Kings 25:13 - pillars 1 Chronicles 18:8 - wherewith Jeremiah 52:17 - pillars Jeremiah 52:22 - with network

Verse 13

four hundred: Exodus 28:33, Exodus 28:34, 1 Kings 7:20, 1 Kings 7:42, Song of Solomon 4:13, Jeremiah 52:23

pillars: Heb. face of the pillars

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:14 - of wreathen 1 Kings 7:16 - General 2 Kings 25:13 - pillars Jeremiah 52:17 - pillars Jeremiah 52:22 - with network

Verse 14

bases: 1 Kings 7:27-43

lavers: or, caldrons, 2 Chronicles 4:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:18 - a laver 2 Kings 16:17 - borders 2 Kings 25:13 - bases Jeremiah 52:17 - the bases

Verse 15

2 Chronicles 4:2-5

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:18 - a laver 2 Kings 16:17 - sea Jeremiah 52:17 - the bases

Verse 16

pots also: 2 Chronicles 4:11, Exodus 27:3, Exodus 38:3, Zechariah 14:20, Zechariah 14:21

fleshhooks: 1 Samuel 2:13, 1 Samuel 2:14, 1 Chronicles 28:17

Huram: 1 Kings 7:13, 1 Kings 7:14, 1 Kings 7:45, Hiram

his father: 2 Chronicles 2:13

bright: Heb. made bright, or scoured

Reciprocal: Numbers 4:12 - General Jeremiah 52:18 - the shovels

Verse 17

clay ground: Heb. thicknesses of the ground

Zeredathah: 1 Kings 7:46, Zarthan

Verse 18

the weight: 1 Kings 7:47, 1 Chronicles 22:3, 1 Chronicles 22:14, Jeremiah 52:20

Reciprocal: Proverbs 24:4 - General

Verse 19

all the vessels: 2 Chronicles 36:10, 2 Chronicles 36:18, 1 Kings 7:48-50, 2 Kings 24:13, 2 Kings 25:13-15, Ezra 1:7-11, Jeremiah 28:3, Jeremiah 52:18, Jeremiah 52:19, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 5:3, Daniel 5:23

the golden: 2 Chronicles 26:16-18, Exodus 30:1-10, Exodus 37:25-29, Revelation 8:3, Revelation 9:13

the tables: Exodus 25:23-30, Leviticus 24:5-8, 1 Chronicles 28:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 24:6 - pure Numbers 4:12 - General Numbers 4:14 - all the vessels thereof Ezekiel 41:22 - altar

Verse 20

the candlesticks: 2 Chronicles 4:7, Exodus 25:31-37

burn after: Exodus 27:20, Exodus 27:21

the oracle: 1 Kings 6:5, 1 Kings 6:16, 1 Kings 6:17, 1 Kings 8:6, Psalms 28:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:19 - the oracle 1 Kings 7:49 - before the oracle 2 Kings 25:14 - the pots 1 Chronicles 28:17 - pure gold 2 Chronicles 5:7 - to the oracle Zechariah 4:2 - a candlestick Revelation 4:5 - seven

Verse 21

the flowers: Probably each branch of the chandelier was made like a plant in flower; and the opening of the flower was either the lamp, or served to support it. 2 Chronicles 4:5, Exodus 25:31-40, Exodus 37:20, 1 Kings 6:18, 1 Kings 6:29, 1 Kings 6:35

perfect gold: Heb. perfections of gold, That is, the purest and best gold.

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:38 - the tongs 1 Kings 7:50 - censers Ezra 1:9 - chargers of gold

Verse 22

snuffers: Exodus 37:23, 1 Kings 7:50, 2 Kings 12:13, 2 Kings 25:14, Jeremiah 52:18

basins: or, bowls

the entry: Capellus and others suppose we should read, agreeably to 1 Kings 7:50, "The hinges also of the doors of the inner house," etc.; the word pothoth, "hinges," being mistaken for paithach, "an entry" or "door-way." 1 Kings 6:31-32,

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:29 - the Exodus 31:6 - that they Numbers 4:12 - General Numbers 7:14 - spoon 1 Kings 3:1 - the house 1 Chronicles 17:12 - He shall 2 Chronicles 9:3 - the house Ezra 1:9 - chargers of gold Ezekiel 41:23 - General Acts 7:47 - General