2 CHRONICLES 4 COMMENTARYEDITED BY GLENN PEASE

The Templersquos Furnishings

1 He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long twenty cubits wide and ten cubits high[a]

BARNES The supplementary character of Chronicles is here once more apparent The author of Kings had omitted to record the dimensions of the brass altar It stood in the great court 2Ch_612-13

HENRY David often speaks with much affection both of the house of the Lord and of the courts of our God Both without doors and within there was that which typified the grace of the gospel and shadowed out good things to come of which the substance is Christ

I There were those things in the open court in the view of all the people which were very significant

1 There was the brazen altar 2Ch_41 The making of this was not mentioned in the Kings On this all the sacrifices were offered and it sanctified the gift This altar was much larger than that which Moses made in the tabernacle that was five cubits square this was twenty cubits square Now that Israel had become both numerous and more rich and it was to be hoped more devout (for every age should aim to be wiser and better than that which went before it) it was expected that there would be a greater abundance of offerings brought to Gods altar than had been It was therefore made such a capacious scaffold that it might hold them all and none might excuse themselves from bringing those temptations of their devotion by alleging that there was not room to receive them God had greatly enlarged their borders it was therefore fit that they should enlarge his altars Our returns should bear some proportion to our receivings It was ten cubits high so that the people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifice burnt and their eye might affect their heart with sorrow for sin ldquoIt is of the Lords mercies that I am not thus consumed and that this is accepted as an expiation of my guiltrdquo They might thus be led to consider the great sacrifice which should be offered in the fulness of time to take away sin and abolish death which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do And with the smoke of the sacrifices their hearts might ascend to heaven in holy desires towards God and his favour In all our

1

devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ the great propitiation How they went up to this altar and carried the sacrifices up to it we are not told some think by a plain ascent like a hill if by steps doubtless they were so contrived as that the end of the law (mentioned Exo_2026) might be answered

JAMISON 2Ch_41 Altar of brass

he made an altar of brass mdash Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar but the use of these could be no longer forbidden (Exo_2026) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (Exo_2842) It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five and in height seventeen and a half feet The thickness of the metal used for this altar is nowhere given but supposing it to have been three inches the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [Napier]

KampD 2Ch_41-6 The copper furniture of the court 2Ch_41 The altar of burnt-offering Its preparation is passed over in 1 Kings 6 and 7 so that there it is only mentioned incidentally in connection with the consecration of the temple 1Ki_822 1Ki_854 and 1Ki_925 It was twenty cubits square (long and broad) and ten cubits high and constructed on the model of the Mosaic altar of burnt-offering and probably of brass plates which enclosed the inner core consisting of earth and unhewn stones and if we may judge from Ezekiels description Eze_4313-17 it rose in steps as it were so that at each step its extent was smaller and the measurement of twenty cubits refers only to the lowest scale while the space at the top with the hearth was only twelve cubits square cf my Bibl Archaeol i S 127 with the figure plate iii fig 2

BENSON 2 Chronicles 41-2 Ten cubits the height thereof mdash This was too high for the priests to lay the victims on it without going up some kind of ascent but as it was expressly commanded (Exodus 2026) that they should not go up by steps unto Godrsquos altar they doubtless ascended in some other way Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits mdash This and the following verses are explained 1 Kings 723 ampc

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN ALTAR (2 Chronicles 41)

(l) An altar of brassmdashThe brazen altar or altar of burnt offering made by Solomon is not noticed in the parallel chapters of Kings (1 Kings 6 7) which describe the construction of the temple and its vessels of service but it is incidentally mentioned in another passage of the older work (1 Kings 925) and its existence seems to be implied in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 864 This altar stood in the inner court of the temple It rose from a terraced platform (Comp Ezekiel 4313-17) The Hebrew of this verse is such as to suggest that it must have existed in the original document The style is the same (Comp the construction of the numerals with the

2

noun and note the word qocircmacirch ldquoheightrdquo now used for the first time by the chronicler) It would appear therefore that the verse has been accidentally omitted from the text of Kings

COFFMAN He made an altar of brass the height thereof ten cubits (2 Chronicles 41) What was wrong with this Ten cubits was a height of something like fifteen feet which required that steps would have to be used by the priests in making sacrifices upon it and God had specifically commanded Israel Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto my altar (Exodus 2026)

Not only did Solomons temple and all that it contained violate many of Gods specific commandments such as this one but there were also countless concessions to paganism as seen in the images of the bulls (politely called oxen here) placed under the laver The bulls calves oxen whatever they were called were the usual images under which the old Canaanite fertility god Baal was worshipped Even the Jewish historian Josephus condemned Solomon for what he did in this[1] It is an unqualified mystery to us why Christian writers attempt to justify it Besides that the Decalogue specifically forbade the making of images or `likenesses of anything either in heaven or on earth the sacred images of the cherubim commanded by Moses having been one exception to this

It held three thousand baths (2 Chronicles 45) The bath was a Jewish measure being the equivalent of about 478 gallons[2] The very size of this laver was a testimonial to the type of `washing to which the priests submitted It was by immersion[3] being in that particular typical of Christian baptism (For further elaboration of this see our Commentary on Exodus pp 404405)

TRAPP Moreover he made an altar of brass twenty cubits the length thereof and twenty cubits the breadth thereof and ten cubits the height thereof

Ver 1 Moreover he made an altar of brass] This altar was a type of the cross of Christ yea of Christ himself We also have an altar ampc [Hebrews 1310]

And ten cubits the height thereof] That all the people might see the burnt offerings and be reminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospel

POOLE The altar of brass 2 Chronicles 41 The molten sea upon twelve oxen 2 Chronicles 42-5 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables 2 Chronicles 46-8 The courts and the instruments of brass 2 Chronicles 49-18 The instruments of gold 2 Chronicles 419-22

Quest How could this be when God had said Thou shalt not go up by steps unto mine altar that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon Exodus 2026 and steps were necessary for so high an altar as this was

3

Answ 1 These steps were so made that there was no fear of this inconvenience

2 That law was useful and fit when it was made but afterwards when the priests were commanded to wear linen breeches in their holy ministrations to cover their nakedness Exodus 2842 it was not necessary

3 Howsoever God could undoubtedly dispense with his own law as here he did for he it was that gave these dimensions for the altar

PARKER Solomons Specifications

SURELY Solomon is doing something There is a great rush of business there is a marvellous outline of a specification in this chapter What a programme it Isaiah taking it altogether and in the contextual portions something important must be doing now something indispensable kings are busy princes are bending their necks people of all statures and ages and faculties are on the alert Send me also cedar trees fir trees and algum trees out of Lebanon prepare me timber in abundance for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great What a host of men Threescore and ten thousand of them bearers of burdens and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountain and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work Nothing was pinched nothing was begrudged The porch was overlaid with pure gold the greater house was ceiled with fir tree which was overlaid with fine gold and thereon were set palm trees and chains and the house was garnished with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim The house the beams the posts the walls the doors were overlaid with gold and on the walls cherubims were graved

The question we have to ask after reading all this table of luxury Isaiah What does it amount to That is the subject What is the use of it all This is not a merely or roughly utilitarian question it is a high spiritual inquiry Nor is the interrogation limited to the house that Solomon built it applies to the house which every man is building What is the use of your grandeur What does it all come to when it is added up and set down in plain utility like an arithmetical statement at the foot This is an admirable description of many men we know or of whom we have heard or read they are all specification Here is a man who has been five years at Oxford five years at Edinburgh five years at Berlin and he has brought with him innumerable certificates and credentials and assurances that he has passed with success and honour through almost illimitable courses of training Let us hear him speak It is well we were told that he had studied at all these universities for we never should have gathered it from his conversation Here is a student of aesthetics a false colour would kill him he understands the relation of one hue to another he has been trained to distinguish one tinge from another as if his eye were a jealous microscope What does it come to outside of colour What about his patience his civility his chivalry his courtesy his sacrifice on behalf of others What does it

4

amount to but a painters specification We must have totals results positive and beneficial consequences else our schools are only helping to extend the veneer and not the real oak of the world Here is a man of polish he would not even call upon a friend except within conventional hours nothing would tempt him to pay a visit to his oldest bosom friend without a proper supply of pasteboard and lithography what does it come to when he must sit up with a dying child or pinch himself one meal a day that a man in another street may have something for his hunger These are penetrating these are decimating questions they hurl down our little card-houses conventionalities and aesthetics and polishes and certifications and make us poor indeed if there be not at the heart of us a Christly polish a Christly education a miracle of regeneration and comfort Take care not to grind the knife all away before you cut a piece of bread with it What a long time some men have been grinding their knives There will be nothing but haft presently the blade will have disappeared into or out of the grindstone What we ought to have from some men when they do come forward Should they not have pity upon us and reveal themselves gradually Ought they not to pity the gourd and see that the flash of such lightning as would be emitted by their genius might be dangerous to the frail plant What gifts we must have when some men begin to give they are going to begin by-and-by

About all grandeur about all cedar and fir and algum about all gold of Parvaim and graved cherubim and wondrous scholarship and night and day preparation extending through years we ask What is the use of it Bring a million bricks into a huge meadow stack them up add hundreds of tons of iron add a mile or two of plate glass set down colours mixed by the skilled hands of artists what does it all come to It all amounts to a nuisance we used to walk through that field until that pile was laid upon it On the other hand put the material together let the architect lay his mind to the question and the builder put out his hands and the glazier do his work and the artist come to distribute the colours properly and then out of what was a mere chaotic pile there is shaped a useful home or sacred temple Get out of your specification build something do something better dry a childs tear than lie back half a century in order to get ready to deliver a speech which nobody can understand When does the decoration become life When may we expect those beauteous figures to speak Never The decoration does not make the temple the preparation does not make the workman he must come out of that utilising it all and sanctifying it by the grace of God A man might dress in the robes of the lord chancellor and actually sit down on the woolsack and not be a lawyer This is extremely irritating that a man cannot by putting on certain robes become learned and influential and reputed as an authority A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchs throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak

5

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ the great propitiation How they went up to this altar and carried the sacrifices up to it we are not told some think by a plain ascent like a hill if by steps doubtless they were so contrived as that the end of the law (mentioned Exo_2026) might be answered

JAMISON 2Ch_41 Altar of brass

he made an altar of brass mdash Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar but the use of these could be no longer forbidden (Exo_2026) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (Exo_2842) It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five and in height seventeen and a half feet The thickness of the metal used for this altar is nowhere given but supposing it to have been three inches the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [Napier]

KampD 2Ch_41-6 The copper furniture of the court 2Ch_41 The altar of burnt-offering Its preparation is passed over in 1 Kings 6 and 7 so that there it is only mentioned incidentally in connection with the consecration of the temple 1Ki_822 1Ki_854 and 1Ki_925 It was twenty cubits square (long and broad) and ten cubits high and constructed on the model of the Mosaic altar of burnt-offering and probably of brass plates which enclosed the inner core consisting of earth and unhewn stones and if we may judge from Ezekiels description Eze_4313-17 it rose in steps as it were so that at each step its extent was smaller and the measurement of twenty cubits refers only to the lowest scale while the space at the top with the hearth was only twelve cubits square cf my Bibl Archaeol i S 127 with the figure plate iii fig 2

BENSON 2 Chronicles 41-2 Ten cubits the height thereof mdash This was too high for the priests to lay the victims on it without going up some kind of ascent but as it was expressly commanded (Exodus 2026) that they should not go up by steps unto Godrsquos altar they doubtless ascended in some other way Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits mdash This and the following verses are explained 1 Kings 723 ampc

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN ALTAR (2 Chronicles 41)

(l) An altar of brassmdashThe brazen altar or altar of burnt offering made by Solomon is not noticed in the parallel chapters of Kings (1 Kings 6 7) which describe the construction of the temple and its vessels of service but it is incidentally mentioned in another passage of the older work (1 Kings 925) and its existence seems to be implied in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 864 This altar stood in the inner court of the temple It rose from a terraced platform (Comp Ezekiel 4313-17) The Hebrew of this verse is such as to suggest that it must have existed in the original document The style is the same (Comp the construction of the numerals with the

2

noun and note the word qocircmacirch ldquoheightrdquo now used for the first time by the chronicler) It would appear therefore that the verse has been accidentally omitted from the text of Kings

COFFMAN He made an altar of brass the height thereof ten cubits (2 Chronicles 41) What was wrong with this Ten cubits was a height of something like fifteen feet which required that steps would have to be used by the priests in making sacrifices upon it and God had specifically commanded Israel Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto my altar (Exodus 2026)

Not only did Solomons temple and all that it contained violate many of Gods specific commandments such as this one but there were also countless concessions to paganism as seen in the images of the bulls (politely called oxen here) placed under the laver The bulls calves oxen whatever they were called were the usual images under which the old Canaanite fertility god Baal was worshipped Even the Jewish historian Josephus condemned Solomon for what he did in this[1] It is an unqualified mystery to us why Christian writers attempt to justify it Besides that the Decalogue specifically forbade the making of images or `likenesses of anything either in heaven or on earth the sacred images of the cherubim commanded by Moses having been one exception to this

It held three thousand baths (2 Chronicles 45) The bath was a Jewish measure being the equivalent of about 478 gallons[2] The very size of this laver was a testimonial to the type of `washing to which the priests submitted It was by immersion[3] being in that particular typical of Christian baptism (For further elaboration of this see our Commentary on Exodus pp 404405)

TRAPP Moreover he made an altar of brass twenty cubits the length thereof and twenty cubits the breadth thereof and ten cubits the height thereof

Ver 1 Moreover he made an altar of brass] This altar was a type of the cross of Christ yea of Christ himself We also have an altar ampc [Hebrews 1310]

And ten cubits the height thereof] That all the people might see the burnt offerings and be reminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospel

POOLE The altar of brass 2 Chronicles 41 The molten sea upon twelve oxen 2 Chronicles 42-5 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables 2 Chronicles 46-8 The courts and the instruments of brass 2 Chronicles 49-18 The instruments of gold 2 Chronicles 419-22

Quest How could this be when God had said Thou shalt not go up by steps unto mine altar that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon Exodus 2026 and steps were necessary for so high an altar as this was

3

Answ 1 These steps were so made that there was no fear of this inconvenience

2 That law was useful and fit when it was made but afterwards when the priests were commanded to wear linen breeches in their holy ministrations to cover their nakedness Exodus 2842 it was not necessary

3 Howsoever God could undoubtedly dispense with his own law as here he did for he it was that gave these dimensions for the altar

PARKER Solomons Specifications

SURELY Solomon is doing something There is a great rush of business there is a marvellous outline of a specification in this chapter What a programme it Isaiah taking it altogether and in the contextual portions something important must be doing now something indispensable kings are busy princes are bending their necks people of all statures and ages and faculties are on the alert Send me also cedar trees fir trees and algum trees out of Lebanon prepare me timber in abundance for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great What a host of men Threescore and ten thousand of them bearers of burdens and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountain and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work Nothing was pinched nothing was begrudged The porch was overlaid with pure gold the greater house was ceiled with fir tree which was overlaid with fine gold and thereon were set palm trees and chains and the house was garnished with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim The house the beams the posts the walls the doors were overlaid with gold and on the walls cherubims were graved

The question we have to ask after reading all this table of luxury Isaiah What does it amount to That is the subject What is the use of it all This is not a merely or roughly utilitarian question it is a high spiritual inquiry Nor is the interrogation limited to the house that Solomon built it applies to the house which every man is building What is the use of your grandeur What does it all come to when it is added up and set down in plain utility like an arithmetical statement at the foot This is an admirable description of many men we know or of whom we have heard or read they are all specification Here is a man who has been five years at Oxford five years at Edinburgh five years at Berlin and he has brought with him innumerable certificates and credentials and assurances that he has passed with success and honour through almost illimitable courses of training Let us hear him speak It is well we were told that he had studied at all these universities for we never should have gathered it from his conversation Here is a student of aesthetics a false colour would kill him he understands the relation of one hue to another he has been trained to distinguish one tinge from another as if his eye were a jealous microscope What does it come to outside of colour What about his patience his civility his chivalry his courtesy his sacrifice on behalf of others What does it

4

amount to but a painters specification We must have totals results positive and beneficial consequences else our schools are only helping to extend the veneer and not the real oak of the world Here is a man of polish he would not even call upon a friend except within conventional hours nothing would tempt him to pay a visit to his oldest bosom friend without a proper supply of pasteboard and lithography what does it come to when he must sit up with a dying child or pinch himself one meal a day that a man in another street may have something for his hunger These are penetrating these are decimating questions they hurl down our little card-houses conventionalities and aesthetics and polishes and certifications and make us poor indeed if there be not at the heart of us a Christly polish a Christly education a miracle of regeneration and comfort Take care not to grind the knife all away before you cut a piece of bread with it What a long time some men have been grinding their knives There will be nothing but haft presently the blade will have disappeared into or out of the grindstone What we ought to have from some men when they do come forward Should they not have pity upon us and reveal themselves gradually Ought they not to pity the gourd and see that the flash of such lightning as would be emitted by their genius might be dangerous to the frail plant What gifts we must have when some men begin to give they are going to begin by-and-by

About all grandeur about all cedar and fir and algum about all gold of Parvaim and graved cherubim and wondrous scholarship and night and day preparation extending through years we ask What is the use of it Bring a million bricks into a huge meadow stack them up add hundreds of tons of iron add a mile or two of plate glass set down colours mixed by the skilled hands of artists what does it all come to It all amounts to a nuisance we used to walk through that field until that pile was laid upon it On the other hand put the material together let the architect lay his mind to the question and the builder put out his hands and the glazier do his work and the artist come to distribute the colours properly and then out of what was a mere chaotic pile there is shaped a useful home or sacred temple Get out of your specification build something do something better dry a childs tear than lie back half a century in order to get ready to deliver a speech which nobody can understand When does the decoration become life When may we expect those beauteous figures to speak Never The decoration does not make the temple the preparation does not make the workman he must come out of that utilising it all and sanctifying it by the grace of God A man might dress in the robes of the lord chancellor and actually sit down on the woolsack and not be a lawyer This is extremely irritating that a man cannot by putting on certain robes become learned and influential and reputed as an authority A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchs throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak

5

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

noun and note the word qocircmacirch ldquoheightrdquo now used for the first time by the chronicler) It would appear therefore that the verse has been accidentally omitted from the text of Kings

COFFMAN He made an altar of brass the height thereof ten cubits (2 Chronicles 41) What was wrong with this Ten cubits was a height of something like fifteen feet which required that steps would have to be used by the priests in making sacrifices upon it and God had specifically commanded Israel Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto my altar (Exodus 2026)

Not only did Solomons temple and all that it contained violate many of Gods specific commandments such as this one but there were also countless concessions to paganism as seen in the images of the bulls (politely called oxen here) placed under the laver The bulls calves oxen whatever they were called were the usual images under which the old Canaanite fertility god Baal was worshipped Even the Jewish historian Josephus condemned Solomon for what he did in this[1] It is an unqualified mystery to us why Christian writers attempt to justify it Besides that the Decalogue specifically forbade the making of images or `likenesses of anything either in heaven or on earth the sacred images of the cherubim commanded by Moses having been one exception to this

It held three thousand baths (2 Chronicles 45) The bath was a Jewish measure being the equivalent of about 478 gallons[2] The very size of this laver was a testimonial to the type of `washing to which the priests submitted It was by immersion[3] being in that particular typical of Christian baptism (For further elaboration of this see our Commentary on Exodus pp 404405)

TRAPP Moreover he made an altar of brass twenty cubits the length thereof and twenty cubits the breadth thereof and ten cubits the height thereof

Ver 1 Moreover he made an altar of brass] This altar was a type of the cross of Christ yea of Christ himself We also have an altar ampc [Hebrews 1310]

And ten cubits the height thereof] That all the people might see the burnt offerings and be reminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospel

POOLE The altar of brass 2 Chronicles 41 The molten sea upon twelve oxen 2 Chronicles 42-5 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables 2 Chronicles 46-8 The courts and the instruments of brass 2 Chronicles 49-18 The instruments of gold 2 Chronicles 419-22

Quest How could this be when God had said Thou shalt not go up by steps unto mine altar that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon Exodus 2026 and steps were necessary for so high an altar as this was

3

Answ 1 These steps were so made that there was no fear of this inconvenience

2 That law was useful and fit when it was made but afterwards when the priests were commanded to wear linen breeches in their holy ministrations to cover their nakedness Exodus 2842 it was not necessary

3 Howsoever God could undoubtedly dispense with his own law as here he did for he it was that gave these dimensions for the altar

PARKER Solomons Specifications

SURELY Solomon is doing something There is a great rush of business there is a marvellous outline of a specification in this chapter What a programme it Isaiah taking it altogether and in the contextual portions something important must be doing now something indispensable kings are busy princes are bending their necks people of all statures and ages and faculties are on the alert Send me also cedar trees fir trees and algum trees out of Lebanon prepare me timber in abundance for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great What a host of men Threescore and ten thousand of them bearers of burdens and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountain and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work Nothing was pinched nothing was begrudged The porch was overlaid with pure gold the greater house was ceiled with fir tree which was overlaid with fine gold and thereon were set palm trees and chains and the house was garnished with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim The house the beams the posts the walls the doors were overlaid with gold and on the walls cherubims were graved

The question we have to ask after reading all this table of luxury Isaiah What does it amount to That is the subject What is the use of it all This is not a merely or roughly utilitarian question it is a high spiritual inquiry Nor is the interrogation limited to the house that Solomon built it applies to the house which every man is building What is the use of your grandeur What does it all come to when it is added up and set down in plain utility like an arithmetical statement at the foot This is an admirable description of many men we know or of whom we have heard or read they are all specification Here is a man who has been five years at Oxford five years at Edinburgh five years at Berlin and he has brought with him innumerable certificates and credentials and assurances that he has passed with success and honour through almost illimitable courses of training Let us hear him speak It is well we were told that he had studied at all these universities for we never should have gathered it from his conversation Here is a student of aesthetics a false colour would kill him he understands the relation of one hue to another he has been trained to distinguish one tinge from another as if his eye were a jealous microscope What does it come to outside of colour What about his patience his civility his chivalry his courtesy his sacrifice on behalf of others What does it

4

amount to but a painters specification We must have totals results positive and beneficial consequences else our schools are only helping to extend the veneer and not the real oak of the world Here is a man of polish he would not even call upon a friend except within conventional hours nothing would tempt him to pay a visit to his oldest bosom friend without a proper supply of pasteboard and lithography what does it come to when he must sit up with a dying child or pinch himself one meal a day that a man in another street may have something for his hunger These are penetrating these are decimating questions they hurl down our little card-houses conventionalities and aesthetics and polishes and certifications and make us poor indeed if there be not at the heart of us a Christly polish a Christly education a miracle of regeneration and comfort Take care not to grind the knife all away before you cut a piece of bread with it What a long time some men have been grinding their knives There will be nothing but haft presently the blade will have disappeared into or out of the grindstone What we ought to have from some men when they do come forward Should they not have pity upon us and reveal themselves gradually Ought they not to pity the gourd and see that the flash of such lightning as would be emitted by their genius might be dangerous to the frail plant What gifts we must have when some men begin to give they are going to begin by-and-by

About all grandeur about all cedar and fir and algum about all gold of Parvaim and graved cherubim and wondrous scholarship and night and day preparation extending through years we ask What is the use of it Bring a million bricks into a huge meadow stack them up add hundreds of tons of iron add a mile or two of plate glass set down colours mixed by the skilled hands of artists what does it all come to It all amounts to a nuisance we used to walk through that field until that pile was laid upon it On the other hand put the material together let the architect lay his mind to the question and the builder put out his hands and the glazier do his work and the artist come to distribute the colours properly and then out of what was a mere chaotic pile there is shaped a useful home or sacred temple Get out of your specification build something do something better dry a childs tear than lie back half a century in order to get ready to deliver a speech which nobody can understand When does the decoration become life When may we expect those beauteous figures to speak Never The decoration does not make the temple the preparation does not make the workman he must come out of that utilising it all and sanctifying it by the grace of God A man might dress in the robes of the lord chancellor and actually sit down on the woolsack and not be a lawyer This is extremely irritating that a man cannot by putting on certain robes become learned and influential and reputed as an authority A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchs throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak

5

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

Answ 1 These steps were so made that there was no fear of this inconvenience

2 That law was useful and fit when it was made but afterwards when the priests were commanded to wear linen breeches in their holy ministrations to cover their nakedness Exodus 2842 it was not necessary

3 Howsoever God could undoubtedly dispense with his own law as here he did for he it was that gave these dimensions for the altar

PARKER Solomons Specifications

SURELY Solomon is doing something There is a great rush of business there is a marvellous outline of a specification in this chapter What a programme it Isaiah taking it altogether and in the contextual portions something important must be doing now something indispensable kings are busy princes are bending their necks people of all statures and ages and faculties are on the alert Send me also cedar trees fir trees and algum trees out of Lebanon prepare me timber in abundance for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great What a host of men Threescore and ten thousand of them bearers of burdens and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountain and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work Nothing was pinched nothing was begrudged The porch was overlaid with pure gold the greater house was ceiled with fir tree which was overlaid with fine gold and thereon were set palm trees and chains and the house was garnished with precious stones for beauty and the gold was gold of Parvaim The house the beams the posts the walls the doors were overlaid with gold and on the walls cherubims were graved

The question we have to ask after reading all this table of luxury Isaiah What does it amount to That is the subject What is the use of it all This is not a merely or roughly utilitarian question it is a high spiritual inquiry Nor is the interrogation limited to the house that Solomon built it applies to the house which every man is building What is the use of your grandeur What does it all come to when it is added up and set down in plain utility like an arithmetical statement at the foot This is an admirable description of many men we know or of whom we have heard or read they are all specification Here is a man who has been five years at Oxford five years at Edinburgh five years at Berlin and he has brought with him innumerable certificates and credentials and assurances that he has passed with success and honour through almost illimitable courses of training Let us hear him speak It is well we were told that he had studied at all these universities for we never should have gathered it from his conversation Here is a student of aesthetics a false colour would kill him he understands the relation of one hue to another he has been trained to distinguish one tinge from another as if his eye were a jealous microscope What does it come to outside of colour What about his patience his civility his chivalry his courtesy his sacrifice on behalf of others What does it

4

amount to but a painters specification We must have totals results positive and beneficial consequences else our schools are only helping to extend the veneer and not the real oak of the world Here is a man of polish he would not even call upon a friend except within conventional hours nothing would tempt him to pay a visit to his oldest bosom friend without a proper supply of pasteboard and lithography what does it come to when he must sit up with a dying child or pinch himself one meal a day that a man in another street may have something for his hunger These are penetrating these are decimating questions they hurl down our little card-houses conventionalities and aesthetics and polishes and certifications and make us poor indeed if there be not at the heart of us a Christly polish a Christly education a miracle of regeneration and comfort Take care not to grind the knife all away before you cut a piece of bread with it What a long time some men have been grinding their knives There will be nothing but haft presently the blade will have disappeared into or out of the grindstone What we ought to have from some men when they do come forward Should they not have pity upon us and reveal themselves gradually Ought they not to pity the gourd and see that the flash of such lightning as would be emitted by their genius might be dangerous to the frail plant What gifts we must have when some men begin to give they are going to begin by-and-by

About all grandeur about all cedar and fir and algum about all gold of Parvaim and graved cherubim and wondrous scholarship and night and day preparation extending through years we ask What is the use of it Bring a million bricks into a huge meadow stack them up add hundreds of tons of iron add a mile or two of plate glass set down colours mixed by the skilled hands of artists what does it all come to It all amounts to a nuisance we used to walk through that field until that pile was laid upon it On the other hand put the material together let the architect lay his mind to the question and the builder put out his hands and the glazier do his work and the artist come to distribute the colours properly and then out of what was a mere chaotic pile there is shaped a useful home or sacred temple Get out of your specification build something do something better dry a childs tear than lie back half a century in order to get ready to deliver a speech which nobody can understand When does the decoration become life When may we expect those beauteous figures to speak Never The decoration does not make the temple the preparation does not make the workman he must come out of that utilising it all and sanctifying it by the grace of God A man might dress in the robes of the lord chancellor and actually sit down on the woolsack and not be a lawyer This is extremely irritating that a man cannot by putting on certain robes become learned and influential and reputed as an authority A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchs throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak

5

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

amount to but a painters specification We must have totals results positive and beneficial consequences else our schools are only helping to extend the veneer and not the real oak of the world Here is a man of polish he would not even call upon a friend except within conventional hours nothing would tempt him to pay a visit to his oldest bosom friend without a proper supply of pasteboard and lithography what does it come to when he must sit up with a dying child or pinch himself one meal a day that a man in another street may have something for his hunger These are penetrating these are decimating questions they hurl down our little card-houses conventionalities and aesthetics and polishes and certifications and make us poor indeed if there be not at the heart of us a Christly polish a Christly education a miracle of regeneration and comfort Take care not to grind the knife all away before you cut a piece of bread with it What a long time some men have been grinding their knives There will be nothing but haft presently the blade will have disappeared into or out of the grindstone What we ought to have from some men when they do come forward Should they not have pity upon us and reveal themselves gradually Ought they not to pity the gourd and see that the flash of such lightning as would be emitted by their genius might be dangerous to the frail plant What gifts we must have when some men begin to give they are going to begin by-and-by

About all grandeur about all cedar and fir and algum about all gold of Parvaim and graved cherubim and wondrous scholarship and night and day preparation extending through years we ask What is the use of it Bring a million bricks into a huge meadow stack them up add hundreds of tons of iron add a mile or two of plate glass set down colours mixed by the skilled hands of artists what does it all come to It all amounts to a nuisance we used to walk through that field until that pile was laid upon it On the other hand put the material together let the architect lay his mind to the question and the builder put out his hands and the glazier do his work and the artist come to distribute the colours properly and then out of what was a mere chaotic pile there is shaped a useful home or sacred temple Get out of your specification build something do something better dry a childs tear than lie back half a century in order to get ready to deliver a speech which nobody can understand When does the decoration become life When may we expect those beauteous figures to speak Never The decoration does not make the temple the preparation does not make the workman he must come out of that utilising it all and sanctifying it by the grace of God A man might dress in the robes of the lord chancellor and actually sit down on the woolsack and not be a lawyer This is extremely irritating that a man cannot by putting on certain robes become learned and influential and reputed as an authority A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchs throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak

5

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say What does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end in

This specification may be taken as a step in the history of civilisation and according to this outline civilisation probably never reached a higher pitch Buying and selling luxuries does no general good That seems to be very singular but science reading history has put that down as a conclusion that cannot be challenged Specifications of this kind do no good to the people as a whole The possession of luxury leads to surfeit It is on record that at the time of the great French Revolution never was luxury so abundant never was poverty so extreme The feast of the great man had no crumbs for the poor mans hunger The world would never be the richer were half of it turned into ground for the growing of champagne and were the other half of the world peopled by a thousand men who could consume it all You never touch the poor through the medium of luxury You must work upon another line a line of utility actual beneficence through wheat not through grapes will you touch the whole world This is the doctrine of the latest civilisation Suppose that all over the world men could read and write what then Has a man ever asked himself that question seriously Suppose that all over the world men could play a musical instrument what then Suppose that all over the globe men could paint what then Suppose that all over the world every man had ten millions of gold a-year what then Suppose every man in the world should forget how to walk because he could ride in a chariot of feathers and purple and be drawn on by six cream-coloured horses what then It would be a sad world to live in There is nothing in civilisation except as it is controlled inspired used by a masters hand for the good of the whole world I am not sure that every man would be perfectly happy if he could paint a picture I am not aware that unhappiness is confined to those who cannot read and write These chapters are parts of a developing civilisation and we have a right to ask as we pass through them What is the use of this grandeur To what purpose will it be turned What is our education to end in An educated man who does not turn his education to the benefit of others is an altogether undesirable person He kills the preacher because he knows that the man is just educated enough to be able to find fault and is not sufficiently educated to be able to appreciate Some persons have been sufficiently trained to be annoyed by the mistakes of other people but not sufficiently developed to see even in those mistakes the beginning of possible excellences Herein is that saying truemdash

What is true of a little learning is true of what may be termed the larger learning were it not in reality little by its very largeness because it is not put out to use You will never know the talent you have until you begin to spend it Talent grows by expenditure wealth increases by distribution When a man keeps his talent and does not use it the act of unfaithfulness recoils upon himself and assures his position in nothing but in outer darkness To complete the material we must ascend into the

6

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

spiritual All outward civilisation is mockery if it help not towards and if it do not express an inward refinement It is sad to think how some houses are greater than their occupiers it is shameful to see a man outshone by his own mahogany A man should always be greater than anything he has The architect who draws out one specification should always be able to draw out a much larger one The great engineer Brunei was asked if there were not impossibilities to engineering and he said There is only one What is that Want of money Give Brunei money and he would make a way up to the moon or try to do it A man ought never to have a book in his library that does not express a want of the soul Yet some men order their libraries by the square foot and have them bound uniformly A book should be part of its owner he should feel himself half naked if any volume were taken from its shelf

Even Solomons temple was nothing until it was consecrated then it became sacred a touchstone by which men might try their spiritual quality an entrance gate into heaven It is the same with all other phases and aspects and uses of life A man is nothing until he is utilised How many unfulfilled prophecies there are in human life A boy has taken all the prizes he has brought them all home shaken them out of his lap and you never hear any more of him What are his prizes Reproaches rebukes by his prizes he shall be condemned Another boy is of slower growth and all he has brought home from school ismdashhimself But you cannot look at that square head without expecting that by-and-by you will ask Where are the nine that took the prizes That boy you cannot keep down he grows when he is asleep he is growing and one day he will be king We must be judged by the result A man may know many languages and never say a word worth hearing in any of them

What is the use of grandeur what is the purpose of education what is the outcome of all this gathering of material Oh Song of Solomon oh Huram say what meaneth this accumulation of cedar and fir and algum and gold and colours and they reply The meaning is a temple The temple is built God accepts it and therefore the civilisation is justified and crowned What is the use of your gathered gold You will want a larger safe What a glorious idea to have a house that is all safe the front door iron and the windows iron and the roof iron so that everything within it should be protected Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal Have a hundred banks that grant no passbooks and are utterly without cheque forms have a hundred families to whom you send a portion whenever you can they cannot recompense thee but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Drop thy silver fork as it puts that last lump of luxury into thy gluttonous mouth sell it give it to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven Sacrifice is but a superstition until the heavens accept it by fire We should only gather that we may scatter If any man gather the wheat of the world and lock it up in garners and see men starve his eyes should be torn out

7

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

GUZIK 2 CHRONICLES 4 - FURNISHINGS FOR THE TEMPLE AND ITS COURT

A The furnishings of the temple

1 (2 Chronicles 41) The bronze altar

Moreover he made a bronze altar twenty cubits was its length twenty cubits its width and ten cubits its height

a He made a bronze altar The idea behind the Hebrew word for altar is essentially ldquokilling-placerdquo This was the place of sacrifice the center for worship and service for the priests and the people

i ldquoJust as in the tabernacle the altar was the first main object to be met as one entered the sanctuary court It demonstrates that God may be approached only through sacrificesrdquo (Payne)

ii We also have an altar We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat (Hebrews 1310) Our altar - our ldquokilling-placerdquo - is the cross where Jesus died for our sins and we follow by dying unto self and living for Jesus

b Twenty cubits Essentially this altar was large (about 30 feet or 10 meters square) and about twice as large as the altar originally built for the tabernacle (Exodus 271-2)

c Ten cubits its height The altar was raised significantly The altar was set up high ldquoThat all the people might see the burnt-offerings and be imminded of their sins and of their Saviour for the ceremonial law was their gospelrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT This chapter is occupied with some account of the contents of the house following naturally upon the account of the structure dimensions and main features of the building given in the previous chapter The parallel so far as it goes is found in 1 Kings 71-51 and 8

2 Chronicles 41

An altar of brass This in worthier material superseded the temporary altar of the tabernacle (Exodus 271 Exodus 272) made of shittim wood and its dimensions five cubits long and broad and three cubits high Large as was the present altar of brass as compared with the altar that preceded it fell far short of the requirements of the grand day of dedication (1 Kings 864) No statement of the making of this altar occurs in the parallel The place of it would be between 2 Chronicles 422 and

8

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

23 of 1 Kings 71-51 But that Solomon made it is stated in 1 Kings 925 and other references to its presence are found in 1 Kings 822 1 Kings 854 1 Kings 864 etc The position given to the altar is referred to alike in 1 Kings 822 and 2 Chronicles 612 2 Chronicles 613 as in the court of the temple It may be well to note that the altar sacrifice comes first and is first spoken of

BI 1-10 Moreover he made an altar of brase

The furniture of the holy court

1The altar of brass Larger than that in tabernacle When God enlarges our borders and business we should increase our gifts

2 The sea of brass God requires sanctity in all that approach Him (Jas_48)

3 The ten layers Not only the priests but the sacrifices must be washed We must purify our persons and performances Iniquity cleaves to our holy things

4 The ten golden candlesticks One in tabernacle Light increases

5 The ten tables

6 The golden altar Christ makes atonement and intercedes for ever in virtue of that atonement (J Wolfendale)

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits

The molten sea

I Its use Suggests purification for Godrsquos service

II Its size Suggests abundant provision for purification A type of the ldquofountain openedrdquo

III Its construction

1 The material precious and durable

2 The oxen sacrifices of priests emblems of strength and patiencemdashlooking all ways The blessings procured by a holy priesthood would be universally diffused (Homiletical Commentary)

2 He made the Sea of cast metal circular in shape

9

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits[b] high It took a line of thirty cubits[c] to measure around it

HENRY 2 There was the molten sea a very large brass pan in which they put water for the priests to wash in 2Ch_42 2Ch_46 It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests like the font at the church door If it were filled to the brim it would hold 3000 baths (as here 2Ch_45) but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it 1Ki_726 The Holy Ghost by this signified (1) Our great gospel privilege that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin 1Jo_17 To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests Rev_15 Rev_16) nay for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in from sin which is uncleanness There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences that they might serve the living God Heb_914 (2) Our great gospel duty which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world Our hearts must be sanctified or we cannot sanctify the name of God Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands and purify their hearts Jam_48 If I was thee not thou hast no part with me and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet to renew his repentance whenever he goes in to minister Joh_1310

3 There were ten lavers of brass in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings 2Ch_46 As the priests must be washed so must the sacrifices We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them

JAMISON 2Ch_42-5 Molten sea

he made a molten sea mdash (See on 1Ki_723) as in that passage ldquoknopsrdquo occur instead of ldquooxenrdquo It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads

KampD 2-5 The brazen sea described as in 1Ki_723-26 See the commentary on that passage and the sketch in my Archaeol i plate iii fig 1 The differences in substance such as the occurrence of בקרים and הבקר

2Ch_43 instead of פקעים and הפקים and 3000 baths instead of 2000 are

probably the result of orthographical errors in the Chronicle יכיל in 2Ch_

45 appears superfluous after the preceding מחזיק and Berth considers it a gloss which has come from 1 Kings into our text by mistake But the

10

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

expression is only pleonastic ldquoreceiving baths 3000 it heldrdquo and there is no sufficient reason to strike out the words

ELLICOTT THE BRAZEN SEA (2 Chronicles 42-5)

(Comp 1 Kings 723-26)

(2) Also he made a molten seamdashAnd he made the sea (ie the great basin) moltenmdashie of cast metal

Of ten cubits thereofmdashTen in the cubit from its lip to its lip circular all round and five in the cubit was its height Word for word as in 1 Kings 723 save that Kings has one different preposition (lsquoad ldquountordquo instead of lsquoel ldquotordquo) ldquoLiprdquo Comp ldquolip of the seardquo Genesis 2217 ldquolip of the Jordanrdquo 2 Kings 213 a metaphor which is also used in Greek

And a line of thirty cubits mdashLine ie measuring-line as in Ezekiel 473 The Hebrew is qacircw In Kings we read a rare form qacircwegraveh The rest of the clause is the same in both texts

Did compassmdashWould compass or go round it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 42 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

Ver 2 Also he made a molten sea] See on 1 Kings 723 ampc

GUZIK 2-6 2 (2 Chronicles 42-6) The washing basins for the temple

Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other it was completely round Its height was five cubits and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around ten to a cubit all the way around the Sea The oxen were cast in two rows when it was cast It 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 the Sea was set upon them and all their back parts pointed inward It was a handbreadth thick and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup like a lily blossom It contained three thousand baths He also made ten lavers and put five on the right side and five on the left to wash in them such things as they offered for the burnt offering they would wash in them but the Sea was for the priests to wash in

a Then he made the Sea of cast bronze ten cubits from one brim to the other The

11

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

huge laver was more than 15 feet (5 meters) across and was used for the ceremonial washings connected with the priests themselves

i ldquoPriests who did not wash to make themselves clean would die (Exodus 3020)rdquo (Selman)

i ldquoIt was used by priests for cleansing their hands and feet and perhaps also to supply water to the standing basins for the rinsing of offerings (2 Chronicles 410)rdquo Poole believes that perhaps water came out of the bulls that formed the foundation of the Sea

b It stood on twelve oxen This large pool of water was set upon sculptured oxen ldquoPrefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world overrdquo (Trapp)

i It contained three thousand baths ldquoIn 1 Kings 726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths Since this book was written after the Babylonian captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonian bath which might have been less than the Jewishrdquo (Clarke)

c He also made ten lavers These additional basins were used for washing and cleaning the animal parts in the rituals of sacrifice

PULPIT A molten sea The Hebrew of this verse and of 1 Kings 723 are facsimiles of one author except that here קו stands where the parallel shows קוה probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings but rather of both from some older common source This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle (Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028 Exodus 319 Exodus 3516 Exodus 3939) It was called a sea on account of its size We are told in 1 Chronicles 188 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes of course to all practical purposes with that of the circumference (thirty cubits) it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel however if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim or as the form of language here used might slightly favour round the girth (For these questions see 1 Chronicles 185 below) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification which their great Antitype would not need

3 Below the rim figures of bulls encircled itmdashten 12

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

to a cubit[d] The bulls were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea

BARNES For ldquooxenrdquo we find in 1Ki_724 ldquoknopsrdquo or ldquogourdsrdquo An early copyist not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for ldquogourdrdquo and expecting to hear of oxen as soon as the molten sea was mentioned changed the reading

CLARKE Under it was the similitude of oxen - In 1Ki_724 instead of oxen בקרים bekarim we have knops פקעים pekaim and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here What we call knops may signify grapes mushrooms apples or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron It is possible that בקרים bekarim oxen may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim

grapes as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth to which in ancient MSS it has often a great resemblance the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct and the ע ain on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh Thus grapes might be turned into oxen Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here but al large kind of grape according to its meaning in Arabic and thus both places will agree But I do not find that bakar or bakarat has any such meaning in Arabic He was probably misled by the following in the Arabic Lexicon Camus inserted under bakara both by Giggeius and Golius aino albikri ox-eye which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis incredibilis dulcedinis In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur ldquoA species of black grape very large and of incredible sweetness It is used in Palestine for prune or plumrdquo What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant but בקרים bekarim in the text can never have this

meaning unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin eye and then

eyney bekarim might according to the Arabic be translated plums עיני בקריםgrapes sloes or such like especially those of the largest kind which in size resemble the eye of an ox But the criticism of this great man is not solid The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters as specified above The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen 2Ch_43 said to be round about the brim are widely different from those 2Ch_44 by which this molten sea was supported

JAMISON Two rows of oxen were cast when it was cast mdash The meaning

13

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

is that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece being cast in one and the same mold There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin for while in 1Ki_726 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it in this passage no less than three thousand are stated It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held but that also which was necessary to work it to keep it flowing as a fountain that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments In support of this view it may be remarked that different words are employed the one in 1Ki_726 rendered contained the two here rendered received and held There was a difference between receiving and holding When the basin played as a fountain and all its parts were filled for that purpose the latter together with the sea itself received three thousand baths but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet Fragments]

KampD ELLICOTT (3) And under it was the similitude of oxenmdashLiterally And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around two rows were the oxen smelted in the smelting of it In the parallel passage (1 Kings 724) we read And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding itrdquo ampc as here two of rows were the gourds smelted in the smelting thereof The Hebrew words for ldquooxenrdquo and ldquogourdsrdquo might easily be confused by a transcriber and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption and should be restored from that of Kings But there seems no reasonmdashunless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description which is clearly not the casemdashwhy the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features small figures of oxen as well as wild gourds Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon (ldquoten in a cubitrdquo) but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art (Comp the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11 (859-825 BC ) 1 Kings 729 actually gives an analogous instance) The word pĕqacircrsquoicircm ldquowild gourdsrdquo only occurs in one other place of Kings viz 1 Kings 618 (Comp paqqucirclsquoocircth 2 Kings 439) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1 Kings 724 In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that ldquothe copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxenrdquo (Reuss) The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse but the LXX and Vulg have it

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 43 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

Ver 3 The similitude of oxen] Haply called knops [1 Kings 724]

14

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

PULPIT The similitude of oxen The parallel gives simply knops (ie flower-buds) in the room of this expression and no word similitude at all the characters spelling the word for knops being פקעים and those for oxen being בקרים The presence of the word similitude strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen not necessarily (as Patrick) stamped on the so-called knops but possibly constituting them For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness under the brim of it There is intelligibility at all events in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen There is a general preference however accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyists corruption and that the text of the parallel should be followed

4 The Sea stood on twelve bulls three facing north three facing west three facing south and three facing east The Sea rested on top of them and their hindquarters were toward the center

ELLICOTT (4) It stoodmdashThe whole verse coincides verbally with 1 Kings 725 with one slight exception the common form of the numeral ldquotwelverdquo shnecircm lsquoacircsacircr is substituted for the rare shnecirc lsquoacircsacircr

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 44 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

Ver 4 It stood upon twelve oxen] Prefiguring say some the twelve apostles who carried the water of life all the world over See 1 Kings 725

15

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

5 It was a handbreadth[e] in thickness and its rim was like the rim of a cup like a lily blossom It held three thousand baths[f]

BARNES Three thousand baths - See 1Ki_723 note It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted

CLARKE It - held three thousand baths - In 1Ki_726 it is said to hold only two thousand baths As this book was written after the Babylonish captivity it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish bath which might have been less than the Jewish We have already seen that the cubit of Moses or of the ancient Hebrews was longer than the Babylonish by one palm see on 2Ch_33 (note) It might be the same with the measures of capacity so that two thousand of the ancient Jewish baths might have been equal to three thousand of those used after the captivity The Targum cuts the knot by saying ldquoIt received three thousand baths of dry measure and held two thousand of liquid measure

ELLICOTT (5) And the thickness a cupmdashIdentical with 1 Kings 726

With flowers of liliesmdashSee margin ldquoLilyrdquo here is shocircshannacirch in Kings shocircshacircn LXX ldquograven with lily budsrdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoand it was very beautifulrdquo Vulg ldquolike the lip of a cup or of an open lilyrdquo

And it received and held three thousand bathsmdashLiterally holding (whole) baths three thousand would it contain The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures Perhaps the true reading is ldquoholding three thousand bathsrdquo the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings So Vulg Syriac and Arabic omit the clause The LXX had the present reading 1 Kings 726 reads two thousand baths would it contain Most critics assume this to be correct Some scribe may have read rsquoalacircphicircm ldquothousandsrdquo instead of lsquoalpayim ldquotwo thousandrdquo and then have added ldquothreerdquo (shĕlocircsheth) under the influence of the last verse But it is more likely that the numeral ldquothreerdquo having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings the indefinite word ldquothousandsrdquo was made definite by turning it into the dual ldquotwo thousandrdquo Either mistake would be possible because in the unpointed text lsquoalacircphicircm and rsquoalpayim are written alike The Syriac has the curious addition ldquoAnd he made ten poles and put five on the right and five on the left and bare with them the altar of burnt offeringsrdquo Similarly the Arabic version

16

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 45 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

Ver 5 Three thousand baths] See on 1 Kings 726 There it is said two thousand baths Dicendum hic addi ampc salth Vatablus This prophet addeth what is wanting in the other ea enim est mens autheris huius libri for that is the design of this our author

PULPIT An handbreadth Not זרת a span but טפח the palm of the open hand the breadth of the four fingers which Thenius puts at 31752 inches but Conders table at 266 inches It received and held should be translated it was able to hold Three thousand baths The parallel has two thousand baths and this latter is the likelier reading It is however conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate As to the real capacity of the bath we are hopelessly at sea Josephuss estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half and Conder in the Handbook to the Bible p 80 a fractional quantity above six gallons The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs the silver bowl of Croesus and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus 151 481) did not under the lowest estimate of the bath hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon The use of this vessel was as we read in the next verse for the priests to wash in or as some would read to wash at (Exodus 20-3018 )

6 He then made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north In them the things to be used for the burnt offerings were rinsed but the Sea was to be used by the priests for washing

CLARKE He made also ten lavers - The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in and the molten sea was for the use of the

17

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

priests In this they bathed or drew water from it for their personal purification

JAMISON 2Ch_46-18 The ten lavers candlesticks and tables

ten lavers mdash (See on 1Ki_727) The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet these were intended for washing the sacrifices

KampD The ten lavers which according to 1Ki_738 stood upon ten brazen stands ie chests provided with carriage wheels These stands the artistic work on which is circumstantially described in 1Ki_727-37 are omitted in the Chronicle because they are merely subordinate parts of the lavers The size or capacity of the lavers is not stated only their position on both sides of the temple porch and the purpose for which they were designed ldquoto wash therein viz the work of the burnt-offering (the flesh of the burnt-offering which was to be burnt upon the altar) they rinsed thereinrdquo being mentioned For details see in 1Ki_738 and the figure in my Archaol i plate iii fig 4 Occasion is here taken to mention in a supplementary way the use of the brazen sea

ELLICOTT THE TEN LAVERS THEIR USE AND THAT OF THE SEA(2 Chronicles 46) (Comp 1 Kings 727-39)

(6) The chronicler now returns to his abbreviating style and omits altogether the description of the ten bases or stands upon which the lavers were placed and which are described in full and curious detail in 1 Kings 727-39 The unusual difficulty of the passage may have determined the omission but it seems more likely that the sacred writer thought the bases of less importance than the objects described in 2 Chronicles 47-9 the account of which he has interpolated between the first and second half of 1 Kings 739

He made also ten laversmdashAnd he made ten pans The word kicircyocircr is used in 1 Samuel 214 as a pan for cooking and in Zechariah 126 as a pan holding fire Its meaning here and in the parallel place is a pan for washing (Comp Exodus 3018 Exodus 3028) The LXX renders λουτῆρας ldquobathsrdquo the Syriac laqnecirc ldquoflagonsrdquo (lagenae λάγηνοι)

To wash in themmdashThis statement and indeed the rest of the verse is peculiar to the chronicler On the other hand 1 Kings 738 specifies the size and capacity of the lavers here omitted

18

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

Such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in themmdashThis gives the meaning Literally the work (comp Exodus 2936 ldquoto dordquo being equivalent to ldquoto offerrdquo) of the burnt offering they used to rinse (strictly thrust plunge) in them

But the sea was for the priests to wash inmdashThe Hebrew words have been transposed apparently The same infinitive (lĕrohccedilacirch) occurs in Exodus 3018 Exodus 4030 in a similar context Instead of all this the Syriac and Arabic versions read ldquoput them five on the right hand and five on the left that the priests might wash in them their hands and their feetrdquo which appears to be derived from Exodus 3019 Exodus 4031

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 46 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

Ver 6 He made also ten lavers] See on 1 Kings 737

PULPIT This verse with 2 Chronicles 414 2 Chronicles 415 are all here that represent the lengthy account of bases rather than layers occupying in the parallel verses 27-39 of 1 Kings 71-51 which however omits to state the use of either sea or layers

7 He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north

BARNES According to their form - Rather ldquoafter their mannerrdquo (compare 2Ch_420) There is no allusion to the shape of the candlesticks which were made no doubt after the pattern of the original candlestick of Moses

19

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

JAMISON ten candlesticks mdash (See on 1Ki_749) The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot]

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the courts These three verses are not found in the parallel narrative 1 Kings 7 where in 1Ki_739 the statement as to the position of the brazen sea (2Ch_410) follows immediately the statement of the position of the stands with the lavers The candlesticks and the table of the shew-bread are indeed mentioned in the summary enumeration of the temple furniture 1Ki_748 and 1Ki_749 as in the corresponding passage of the Chronicle (2Ch_419 2Ch_420) they again occur and in 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 in the description of the temple building the inner court is spoken of but the outer court is not expressly mentioned No reason can be given for the omission of these verses in 1 Kings 7 but that they have been omitted or have dropped out may be concluded from the fact that not only do the whole contents of our fourth chapter correspond to the section 1 Kings 723-50 but both passages are rounded off by the same concluding verse (2Ch_51 and 1Ki_751)

2Ch_47

He made ten golden candlesticks כמשפטם according to their right ie as they should be according to the prescript or corresponding to the prescript as to the golden candlesticks in the Mosaic sanctuary (Exo_2531) משפט is the law established by the Mosaic legislation

BENSON 2 Chronicles 47 According to their form mdash The old form which God proscribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc And this seems to be mentioned here because in many other things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubim the height of the altar and divers other things

ELLICOTT THE TEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS THE TEN TABLES THE HUNDRED GOLDEN BOWLS AND THE COURTS (2 Chronicles 47-9)

This section is peculiar to Chronicles

(7) And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their formmdashAnd he made the golden lampstands ten according to their rule or prescribed manner (Comp 1 Kings 749 and Exodus 2531-40 where their type is described) So the Vulg ldquosecundum speciem quacirc jussa erant fierirdquo Syriac and Arabic ldquoaccording to their lawsrdquo Others explain ldquoas their use requiredrdquo which is less likely

In the templemdashAnd before the chancel (1 Kings 749 2 Chronicles 420 infra)

20

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

COFFMAN There was hardly anything that Solomon touched that he did not corrupt it in one way or another The candlestick he perverted from the divine pattern of seven branches and made it into ten Instead of putting it on the south side of the holy place he put five on one side and five on the other The table of the showbread was changed into ten tables with five on the north side and five on the south (2 Chronicles 419)

He made the candlesticks of gold according to the ordinance concerning them (2 Chronicles 47) This should not mislead us God had indeed required the candlesticks to be of gold and in that alone did Solomon heed the divine ordinance That this is true is proved by the fact that when the second temple was constructed the golden candlestick was again conformed to the pattern in the tabernacle as proved by the bas relief depicting it upon the Arch of Titus in Rome where it is visible today

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 47 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

Ver 7 And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form] According to Davidrsquos pattern

Five on the right hand] See 1 Kings 749

GUZIK 3 (2 Chronicles 47) The lampstands tables and bowls

And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design and set them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the right side and five on the left And he made one hundred bowls of gold

a And he made ten lampstands He also made ten tables The work of the temple required lampstands for light and tables to hold the showbread the bread that represented the continual fellowship of Israel with God Notably the old tabernacle had one lampstand and one table The temple fittingly displayed a greater light and a greater dynamic of fellowship

b And he made one hundred bowls of gold ldquoThe lsquosprinkling bowlsrsquo were not particularly associated with the tables by seem rather to have been used for collecting the blood of sacrifices which was then sprinkled about the altar in the temple services of atonementrdquo (Payne)

POOLE According to their form either

21

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

1 the form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David Or rather

2 The old form which God prescribed to Moses Exodus 2531 ampc for so these were made And this clause seems to be added here because in many things there was a great variation from the old form as in the posture of the cherubims the height of the altar and divers other things

PULPIT Ten candlesticks of gold The only allusion to these in the parallel is found later on in part of the forty-ninth verse of 1 Kings 71-51 According to their form This expression though so vague might point to the fact that the form of the old candlestick of the tabernacle was adhered to (Exodus 2531) But considering the recurrence of the same words (1 Kings 720) there can be no doubt that the phrase is identical in its meaning with the use found in such passages as Le 1 Kings 510 1 Kings 916 and means according to the prescribed ordinance

8 He made ten tables and placed them in the temple five on the south side and five on the north He also made a hundred gold sprinkling bowls

BARNES The number of the tables (see 2Ch_419) and of the basins is additional to the information contained in Kings

CLARKE A hundred basons of gold - These were doubtless a sort of paterae or sacrificial spoons with which they made libations

BENSON 2 Chronicles 48 He made also ten tables mdash Whereon the show-bread was set 2 Chronicles 419 Perhaps each of these had twelve loaves on it As the house was enlarged so was the provision

ELLICOTT (8) He made also ten tablesmdashPerhaps the golden candelabra stood upon them (Comp 1 Chronicles 2816 and 2 Chronicles 419 infra)

22

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

SidemdashNot in the Hebrew

An hundred basonsmdashBowls for pouring libations (Amos 66 same word mizracircqicircm) The Syriac and Arabic make the number of these vessels a hundred and twenty

The ten tables are not mentioned in the parallel narrative which speaks of one table only viz the table of shewbread (1 Kings 748)

ldquoBasonsrdquo or bowls are spoken of in 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 (mizracircqocircth) but their number is not given

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 48 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

Ver 8 He made also ten tables] Lyra holdeth that all these were for shewbread each of them having twelve loaves weekly set thereon one hundred thirty-two in all In our heavenly Fatherrsquos house is bread enough

He made a hundred basons of gold] To receive the blood of the sacrifices The blood of Christ is most precious and must not be trampled on

PULPIT Ten tables These tables also (the use of which is given in 2 Chronicles 419) are not mentioned so far as their making is concerned in the parallel except in its summary verse 48 (cf 1 Kings 71-51) where furthermore only one table called the table (Exodus 2523) is specified with which agrees our 2 Chronicles 2918 It is hard to explain this variation of statement It is at least an arbitrary and forced explanation to suppose that ten tables constituted the furniture in question while only one was used at a time Keil and Bertheau think that the analogy of the ten candlesticks points to the existence of ten tables The question however is where is the call for or where are the indications of any analogy An hundred basins of gold The Hebrew word employed here and translated basins is מזרקי as also 2 Chronicles 2911 2 Chronicles 2922 infra and 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 Exodus 273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 but it is represented as well by the English translation bowls in 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Kings 2515 Numbers 713 Numbers 719 etc The pots however of our Numbers 711 Numbers 716 has for its Hebrew הסירות It were well if in names such as these at any rate an absolute uniformity of version were observed in the translation for the benefit of the English reader to say nothing of the saving of wasted time for the student and scholar These basins or bowls were to receive and hold the blood of the slain victims about to be sprinkled for purification (see Exodus 8-246 where the word is used Exodus 2912 Exodus 2910 Exodus 2920 Exodus 2921 Le Exodus אגן15 and passim Hebrews 20-918 see also Exodus 383 Numbers 414) The Hebrew word מזרק whether appearing in our version as basin or bowl occurs thirty-two times sixteen in association exactly similar with the present (viz Exodus

23

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

273 Exodus 383 Numbers 414 1 Kings 740 1 Kings 745 1 Kings 750 2 Kings 1213 2 Kings 2515 1 Chronicles 2817 2 Chronicles 48 2 Chronicles 411 2 Chronicles 422 Nehemiah 770 Jeremiah 5218 Jeremiah 5219 Zechariah 1420) fourteen as silver bowls in the time of the tabernacle for the meat offering of fine flour mingled with oil (viz Numbers 713 Numbers 719 Numbers 725 Numbers 731 Numbers 737 Numbers 743 Numbers 749 Numbers 755 Numbers 761 Numbers 767 Numbers 773 Numbers 779 Numbers 784 Numbers 785) and the remaining two in an entirely general application (Amos 66 Zechariah 915) It is evident therefore that the מזרק was not the only vessel used for holding the blood of purification nor was it exclusively reserved to this use

9 He made the courtyard of the priests and the large court and the doors for the court and overlaid the doors with bronze

CLARKE He made the court of the priests - This was the inner court

And the great court - This was the outer court or place for the assembling of the people

HENRY 9-10 4 The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (2Ch_49) both for strength and beauty and that they might not be rotted with the weather to which they were exposed Gates of brass we read of Psa_10716

II There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant All was gold there The nearer we come to God the purer we must be the purer we shall be 1 There were ten golden candlesticks according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle 2Ch_47 The written word is a lamp and a light shining in a dark place In Mosess time they had but one candlestick the Pentateuch but the additions which in process of time were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks Light was growing The candlesticks are the churches Rev_120 Moses set up but one the church of the Jews but in the gospel temple not only believers but churches are multiplied 2 There were ten golden tables (2Ch_48) tables whereon the show-bread was set 2Ch_419 Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it

24

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

As the house was enlarged the house-keeping was In my fathers house there is bread enough for the whole family To those tables belonged 100 golden basins or dishes for Gods table is well furnished 3 There was a golden altar (2Ch_419) on which they burnt incense It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar Christ who once for all made atonement for sin ever lives making intercession in virtue of that atonement

KampD 9-10 The two courts are not further described For the court of the priests see on 1Ki_636 and 1Ki_712 As to the great or outer court the only remark made is that it had doors and its doors ie the folds or leaves of the doors were overlaid with copper In 2Ch_410 we have a supplementary statement as to the position of the brazen sea which coincides with 1Ki_739 see on the passage In 2Ch_411 the heavier brazen (copper) utensils belonging to the altar of burnt-offering are mentioned ת shovels to take the ashes out יעים pots for the removal of the ashes סיד

from the altar and ת basins to catch and sprinkle the sacrificial blood מזרקThis half verse belongs to the preceding notwithstanding that Huram is mentioned as the maker This is clear beyond doubt from the fact that the same utensils are again introduced in the summary catalogue which follows (2Ch_416)

ELLICOTT (9) The court of the priestsmdashSee 1 Kings 636 1 Kings 712 ldquothe inner courtrdquo Jeremiah 3610 ldquothe higher courtrdquo

And the great courtmdashlsquoAzacircracirch ldquocourtrdquo a late word common in the Targums for the classical hacircqccedilr which has just occurred The lsquoazacircracirch was the outer court of the temple It is not mentioned at all in the parallel narrative The LXX calls it ldquothe great courtrdquo the Vulg ldquothe great basilicardquo The Syriac renders the whole verse ldquoAnd he made one great court for the priests and Levites and covered the doors and bolts with bronzerdquo (Comp Note on 2 Chronicles 43 for this plating of the doors with bronze) The bronze plated doors of Shalmaneserrsquos palace at Balawat were twenty-two feet high and each leaf was six feet wide

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 49 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

Ver 9 Furthermore he made the court] See 1 Kings 630

And the great court] ie The peoplersquos court called here gnazarah (a) haply because here God helped the people when he heard their prayers or when here they took sanctuary

25

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

GUZIK 4 (2 Chronicles 49-10) The court of the temple

Furthermore he made the court of the priests and the great court and doors for the court and he overlaid these doors with bronze He set the Sea on the right side toward the southeast

a He made the court of the priests This was also known as the inner court the court of the temple open only to the priests

b And the great court This was the outer court the place in the temple precincts open to the assembly of Israel as a whole

i ldquoYet this very division into two courts (2 Kings 2312) gave concrete expression to the fact that under the older testament there had not yet been achieved that universal priesthood of the believers that would come about through Jesus Christ In him all the people of God have direct access to the Fatherrdquo (Payne)

PULPIT The court of the priests The construction of this court of the priests withheld here given there leaves it ambiguous whether the three rows of hewed stones and one row of cedar beams intends a description of fence as the Septuagint seems to have taken it or of a higher floor with which the part in question was dignified The citation Jeremiah 3610 though probably pointing to this same court can scarcely be adduced as any support of J D Michaelis suggestion of this latter as its עליון (translated higher) does not really carry the idea of the comparative degree at all For once that it is so translated (and even then probably incorrectly) there are twenty occurrences of it as the superlative excellentiae The introduction just here of any statement of these courts at all which seems at first inopportune is probably accounted for by the desire to speak in this connection of their doors and the brass overlaying of them It is worthy of note that the word employed in our text as also 2 Chronicles 613 is not the familiar word חצר of all previous similar occasions but עזרה a word of the later Hebrew occurring also several times in Ezekiel though not in exactly the same sense and the elementary signification of the verb-root of which is to gird or surround

10 He placed the Sea on the south side at the southeast corner

26

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

ELLICOTT (10) And he set the sea mdashLiterally And he set the sea on the right shoulder eastward in front of the southward ie on the south-east side of the house (1 Kings 739 b) The LXX and some MSS add ldquoof the houserdquo which appears to have fallen out of the text

PULPIT The right side of the east end over against the south (so also 1 Kings 739 comp Exodus 3018) The sea found its position therefore in the place of the tabernacle laver of old between altar of brass and porch It must be remembered that the entrance was east but it was counted to a person standing with the back to the tabernacle or temple as though he were in fact going out not entering in the sacred enclosure therefore on the right side will be southward as written in this verse

11 And Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowlsSo Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God

HENRY 11-22 We have here such a summary both of the brass-work and the gold-work of the temple as we had before (1Ki_713 etc) in which we have nothing more to observe than 1 That Huram the workman was very punctual He finished all that he was to make (2Ch_411) and left no part of his work undone Huram his father he is called 2Ch_416 Probably it was a sort of nickname by which he was commonly known Father Huram for the king of Tyre called him Huram Abi my father in compliance with whom Solomon called him his he being a great artist and father of the artificers in brass and iron He acquitted himself well both for ingenuity and industry 2 Solomon was very generous He made all the vessels in great abundance (2Ch_418) many of a sort that many hands might be employed and so the work might go on with expedition or that some might be laid up for use when others were worn out Freely he has received and he will freely give When he had made vessels enough for the present he could not convert the remainder of the brass to his own use it is devoted to

27

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

God and it shall be used for him

JAMISON Huram made mdash (See on 1Ki_740)

KampD 11-18 Summary catalogue of the temple utensils and furniture - 2Ch_411-18

The brass work wrought by Huram

ELLICOTT (b) HURAMrsquoS WORKS IN BRASS (2 Chronicles 411-18)Comp 1 Kings 740-47

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account

(11) And Huram made the potsmdash1 Kings 740 has ldquolaversrdquo (pans) Our reading ldquopotsrdquo appears correct supported as it is by many MSS and the LXX and Vulg of Kings A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing These ldquopotsrdquo were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar

BasonsmdashldquoBowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) Probably the same as the mizracircqicircm of 2 Chronicles 48 So kicircyocircrocircth (Kings) and kicircyocircricircm (Chron)

HurammdashHebrew text Hiram as in Kings The LXX renders ldquoAnd Hiram made the fleshhooks ( κρεάγρας) and the firepans ( πυρεια) and the hearth of the altar and all its vesselsrdquo

The workmdashKings ldquoall the workrdquo and so some MSS LXX and Vulg of Chron The Syriac and Arabic omit 2 Chronicles 411-17 2 Chronicles 419-22

He was to makemdashRather he made

For the housemdashIn the house Chronicles supplies the preposition in which is not required according to ancient usage

COFFMAN Huram his father (2 Chronicles 416) According to Payne Solomon had conferred the title `father upon Huram in recognition of his skilled craftsmanship and the reference here means Solomons Father Huram[4]

Before leaving this chapter we should also point out that another interpretation of Solomons Ten Candlesticks views them as ten complete candlesticks (of seven branches each) Either was a violation of the true pattern given by Moses In support of that view it is dear enough that ten tables of the showbread were used but not one at a time as Payne thought for they were on opposite sides of the holy place five on each side

28

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 411 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 God

Ver 11 And Huram made the pots and the shovels] This diligent and exact description of these vessels of the temple showeth that all things needful to salvation are set down in the holy Scriptures as Lavater well observeth

GUZIK B The work of Huram from Tyre

1 (2 Chronicles 411-17) Huramrsquos furnishings for the temple

Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God the two pillars and the bowl-shaped capitals that were on top of the two pillars the two networks covering the two bowl-shaped capitals which were on top of the pillars four hundred pomegranates for the two networks (two rows of pomegranates for each network to cover the two bowl-shaped capitals that were on the pillars) he also made carts and the lavers on the carts one Sea and twelve oxen under it also the pots the shovels the forks and all their articles Huram his master craftsman made of burnished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds between Succoth and Zeredah

a Then Huram made Huram was half Israeli and half Gentile and he was the best craftsman around Solomon hired him to do all his work - that is the fine artistic work of the temple

b The pots and the shovels and the bowls These articles were of special note for the Chronicler because these were some of the only articles that were recovered and used from the first temple period into the days of the Chronicler

i ldquoThe emphasis on the temple vessels as well as the association between Tent and temple underlines the continuity represented by the temple The return of the temple vessels to the second temple was one of the chief signs that post-exilic Israel remained a worshipping community of covenant people (cf Ezra 17-11 Ezr_65 Ezr_824-34)rdquo (Selman)

PULPIT The pots As stated above the Hebrew word is הסירות It occurs in the Old Testament twenty-seven times it is translated in our Authorized Version pans once and caldrons four times By a manifest copyists error the parallel (1 Kings 735) has כירות layers by the use of caph for samech The use of the סיר was to boil the peace offerings though some say they were hods in which to carry away the ashes and it certainly is remarkable that it is no one of the words employed in 1

29

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

Samuel 214 In addition to these twenty-seven times it occurs also four times in Ecclesiastes Isaiah Hosed Nahum with the meaning of thorns and once in Amos it is translated fish-hooks The passage in Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 76) is additionally remarkable in the fact that the root occurs twice in the same sentence in its different significations eg the crackling of thorns under a pot The shovels The Hebrew word is היעים This word occurs in the Old Testament nine timesmdashin Exodus Numbers Kings Chronicles and Jeremiah The use of the shovel was to remove the ashes The basins should very probably read flesh-hooks

12 the two pillars

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars

ELLICOTT (12) And the pommels and the chapitersmdashie the globes and the capitals Kings Authorised Version has bowls but in Hebrew the word is the same (gullocircth globes) ldquoThe globes of the capitalsrdquo (Kings) is plainly incorrect

Which were on the top of the two pillarsmdashHeb (and the globes and the capitals) on the top of the pillars two ie two globes and capitals The word ldquotwordquo (shtayim) is feminine agreeing with ldquoglobes and capitalsrdquo which are also feminine whereas ldquopillarsrdquo is a masculine term

WreathsmdashHeb sĕbacirckhocircth lattices (Comp 2 Kings 12) The Authorised version of 1 Kings 741 gives ldquonetworkrdquo but the Hebrew word is the same as here

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 412 [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

Ver 12 And the chapiters] Of these see 1 Kings 716

30

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

PULPIT The pommels The Hebrew word is ת translated in the parallel גbowls The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua) springs four times bowls and twice pommels It was an architectural ornament to the capital in shape like a ball The chapiters The Hebrew word is כתרת occurring twenty-three times or more and always translated thus in modern architecture the head or capital of the pillar The two wreaths The word is כתרת occurring fifteen times and translated seven times net-work five times wreath or wreathen-work once a snare once checker-work and once a lattice These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 717 though in description not more distinct certainlymdashnets of checker-work and wreaths of chain-work

13 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars)

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 413 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

Ver 13 See 1 Kings 718 1 Kings 720

PULPIT Four hundred pomegranates This number of pomegranates substantially agrees with the parallel (1 Kings 720) There were two hundred of them on each wreath that encircled the chapiter The pomegranate was a favourite ornament in work as well as in more solid architectural forms (Exodus 2833 Exodus 2834) The popularity of the fruit as food (Numbers 1323 Numbers 205 Deuteronomy 88 Joshua 1532 Joshua 2125) its simple beauty to the eye (So 2 Chronicles 432 Chronicles 413) and its welcome homeliness will quite account for this beside any symbolic significance that may have become attached to it The description of the pomegranate as a fruit may be found in any Bible dictionary but especially in Tristrams Natural History of the Bible

31

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

14 the stands with their basins

ELLICOTT (14) He made also basesmdashAnd the bases he made and the lavers he made upon the bases This repetition of the verb is suspicious and the parallel text shows the right reading to be and the bases ten (in number) and the lavers ten upon the bases ldquoTenrdquo in Hebrew writing closely resembles ldquohe maderdquo The LXX renders ldquoAnd the bases he made ten and the lavers he made upon the basesrdquo which shows that the corruption of the text is ancient

PULPIT Bases The first mention of these in Chronicles on which so much is said in the parallel (1 Kings 727-39) The Hebrew word is מכונה occurring eighteen times in Kings twice in Chronicles once in Ezra and three times in Jeremiah These bases were as may be learnt more fully in the parallel pedestals of brass four cubits square by three and a half high supported by wheels a cubit and a half in diameter The pedestals were richly decorated with mouldings and with the similitudes of lions oxen and cherubim and with other subordinate ornamental work and were designed to bear the layers the use of which is given in verse 6 Verses 16-6 in our chapter strongly suggest in their repetitiousness the writers resort to different sources and authorities for his matter

15 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it

ELLICOTT 15) One seamdashHeb the sea one Kings and the one sea

And twelve oxen under itmdashAnd the oxen twelve under it Kings And the oxen twelve under the sea The chronicler has abridged the expression

32

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

16 the pots shovels meat forks and all related articlesAll the objects that Huram-Abi made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of polished bronze

BARNES Huram his father - Or ldquoHuram his master-workmanrdquo (2Ch_213 note)

CLARKE Huram his father - אב ab father is often used in Hebrew to signify a master inventor chief operator and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee All these Chiram his master made for King Solomon or Chiram Abi or rather Hiram made for the king

BENSON 2 Chronicles 416 Huram his father mdash He is so called because Solomon it seems usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bare to him for his excellent art and the service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name See Genesis 420-21

ELLICOTT (16) The pots also and the shovels and the fleshhooksmdashldquoFleshhooksrdquo (mizlacircgocircth) should apparently be ldquobowlsrdquo (mizracircqocircth) (Comp 2 Chronicles 41 and 1 Kings 745) But in Exodus 273 pots and shovels and bowls and fleshhooks are mentioned in succession as utensils of the altar Perhaps therefore both words should be read here and in Kings LXX καὶ τοὺς ποδιστήρας καὶ τοὺς ἀναλημπτῆρας καὶ τοὺς λέβητας καὶ τὰς κρεάγρας The Vulg merely repeats 2 Chronicles 411 (et lebetes et creagras et phialas) A stop should follow the last ldquoAnd all their instrumentsrdquo ampc being a new sentence

And all their instrumentsmdash1 Kings 745 and all these instruments which appears correct though the LXX supports our present reading ( πάντα τὰ σκέυη αυ τῶν) ldquoTheir instrumentsrdquo could hardly mean the moulds in which they were cast as Zoumlckler suggests The moulds would not be made in ldquopolished brassrdquo

Huram his fathermdashSee Note on 2 Chronicles 213

BrightmdashPolished Jeremiah 464 (macircrucircq) Kings has the synonym mĕmocircracirct (Comp Isaiah 182)

33

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 416 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 LORD of bright brass

Ver 16 Did Huram his father] ie Whom Solomon called father for his age and great worth

POOLE His father ie Solomonrsquos father the relative being put before the antecedent which is not unusual in the Hebrew tongue And he is so called here because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great respect which he bore to him for his excellent art and service which he did for him it being usual to call great artists and inventors of things by this name of which see Genesis 42021 Or Huram Abiu or Abif a man so called or Huram Abi as 2 Chronicles 218

PULPIT Flesh-hooks Hebrew מזלגוח occurring twice in Exodus (Exodus 273 Exodus 383) once in Numbers and twice in Chronicles Another form of the same root מזלג occurs twice in Samuel in the same sense of flesh-hook (1 Samuel 213 1 Samuel 214) where also its use is made dramatically plain Huram his father ie his chief artist

17 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan[g]

BARNES Zeredathah - Or Zarthan (marginal reference) The writer of Chronicles probably uses the name which the place bore in his own day

CLARKE In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

ELLICOTT (17) In the clay groundmdashHeb in the thickness of the groundmdashie in the stiff or clayey soil Vulg ldquoin argillosa terrardquo For lsquoăbicirc ldquothicknessrdquo see Job

34

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

1526 Kings has malsquoăbeh which occurs nowhere else

ZeredathahmdashKings Zacircrĕthacircn (Joshua 316) Zĕrccedildacircthacirch means towards Zĕrĕthacirch (1 Kings 1126) The two names denote the same place

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 417 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah

Ver 17 In the clay ground] In holes digged in the earth without moulds did he cast them say some

PULPIT In the plain hellip in the clay ie in the Ciccar (or round equivalent to the New Testament region round about ) of Jordan a distinctive designation of the Jordan valley The region here intended lies east of the river in what became the division of Gad Succoth lay a little to the north of the river Jabbok which flows almost east to west into the Jordan Zeredathah iq Zarthan of 1 Kings 746 and this latter is in the Hebrew also the same in characters and all with the Zaretan of Joshua 316 Very possibly the place is the same as Zererath ( 722) The exact sites of these places are not known though the range within which they all lay is clear The clay ground that is the clay of the ground (Hebrew) The radical idea of the word here translated clay is thickness which should not be rendered as in margin thicknesses The word ( עב ) occurs in all thirtyfive times and is rendered a large proportion of these times clouds or thick clouds (eg Exodus 199) clouds being presumably thicknesses in air but if the subject-matter in question be in wood or growing timber or the ground the word is rendered conformably thick planks (1 Kings 76 Ezekiel 4125 Ezekiel 4126) or thickets (Jeremiah 429) or clay (as here) to distinguish from other lighter or more friable soil

18 All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated

ELLICOTT (18) Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundancemdash1 Kings 747 And Solomon left all the vessels (unweighed) from very great abundance Our text may be due to a copyist whose eye wandered to the beginning

35

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

of the next verse but it is possible that the chronicler missed the significance of the verb used in Kings and therefore substituted an easier term The further changesmdashldquounto great abundancerdquo ldquofor the weightrdquo ampcmdashsuggest this account of the matter

Could not be found outmdashWas not ascertained

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 418-22) Summary of the furnishings for the temple

And Solomon had all these articles made in such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined Thus Solomon had all the furnishings made for the house of God the altar of gold and the tables on which was the showbread the lampstands with their lamps of pure gold to burn in the prescribed manner in front of the inner sanctuary with the flowers and the lamps and the wick-trimmers of gold of purest gold the trimmers the bowls the ladles and the censers of pure gold As for the entry of the sanctuary its inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall of the temple were gold

a Such great abundance that the weight of the bronze was not determined ldquoThe weight could not be found out This was as it should be There was no attempt to keep an accurate account of what was given to the service of God Even Solomonrsquos left had did not know what his right hand did There is a tendency in all of us to keep a strict account of what we give to God but the loftiest form of devotion overleaps such calculationrdquo (Meyer)

b With the flowers and the lamps ldquoThe symbolism of flora and fauna in the temple may either indicate Godrsquos sovereignty over the created order to be another allusion to the harmony of all created things in Godrsquos presence as in the Garden of Edenrdquo (Selman)

19 Solomon also made all the furnishings that were in Godrsquos temple

the golden altar

the tables on which was the bread of the Presence

36

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

BARNES In the clay ground - See on 1Ki_746 (note) Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places but that he brought the clay from that quarter as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in

KampD The golden furniture of the holy place and the gilded doors of the temple This section is found also in 1Ki_740-50 The enumeration of the things wrought in brass coincides to a word with the exception of trifling linguistic differences and some defects in the text with 1Ki_740-47 In 2Ch_412 ת ת והכתר _is the true reading and we should so read in 1Ki הגל

741 also since the ת circumvolutions are to be distinguished from the גל

ת is a mistake for עשה crowns see on 2Ch_316 In 2Ch_414 the first כתר

is not required nor עשה 1Ki_743 for the verb עשרה the second for עשר

expected as the accusative depends upon ת 2Ch_411 while the לעשnumber cannot be omitted since it is always given with the other things In 2Ch_416 ת ת is an orthographic error for מזלנ _cf 2Ch_411 and 1Ki מזרק

is surprising for there is no meaning in speaking of the ואת־כל־כליחם 744utensils of the utensils enumerated in 2Ch_412-16 According to 1Ki_745 we should read את כל־הכלים האלה As to אביו see on 2Ch_212 נחשת מרוק is

accusative of the material of polished brass and so also 1 נח ממרטKi_745 with a similar signification In reference to the rest see the commentary on 1Ki_740

2Ch_419-21In the enumeration of the golden furniture of the holy place our text

diverges somewhat more from 1Ki_748-50 On the difference in respect to the tables of the shew-bread see on 1Ki_748 In 2Ch_420 the number and position of the candlesticks in the holy place are not stated as they are in 1Ki_749 both having been already given in 2Ch_47 Instead of that their use is emphasized to light them according to the right before the most holy place (כמשפט as in 2Ch_47) As to the decorations and subordinate

utensils of the candlesticks see on 1Ki_749 To 2 זהבCh_421 (accus of the

material) is added ת זהב which occurs מכלה rdquothat is perfect goldldquo הוא מכל

only here is synonymous with מכלל perfection This addition seems superfluous because before and afterwards it is remarked of these vessels that they were of precious gold (זהב סגור) and it is consequently omitted by

the lxx perhaps also because ת was not intelligible to them The words מכלprobably are meant to indicate that even the decorations and the subordinate utensils of the candlesticks (lamps snuffers etc) were of solid gold and not merely gilded

37

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

ELLICOTT (c) CATALOGUE OF OBJECTS IN GOLDmdashCONCLUSION(2 Chronicles 419 -2Ch_51) 1 Kings 748-50

The narrative still coincides in the main with that of Kings allowing for one or two remarkable alterations

(19) For the housemdashIn the houses (without proposition comp 2 Chronicles 411)

The golden altar alsomdashLiterally both the golden altar and the tables and upon them the Presence bread So LXX and Vulg The parallel passage 1 Kings 748 says and the table on which (was) the Presence bread (in) gold (See Note on 2 Chronicles 48 supr and 1 Chronicles 2816) On the one hand the chronicler in these three passages consistently speaks of tables although the book of Kings mentions one table only and on the other hand elsewhere he actually speaks himself of ldquothe Pure Tablerdquo and ldquothe Table of the Pilerdquo as if there were only one such table (2 Chronicles 1311 2 Chronicles 2918)

The difficulty cannot be solved with certainty but it seems likely that finding mention of a number of tables in one of his sources the chronicler has grouped them all together with the Table of Shewbread thus gaining brevity at the cost of accuracy In Ezekiel 4039 eight tables of hewn stone are mentioned whereon they slew the sacrificial victims

COFFMAN And Solomon made all these vessels (2 Chronicles 419) Yet it was stated above that Huram made all these things Thus we have another example of the Biblical conception that a man does what he commands or employs another to do We have referred to this in our contention that David indeed built the temple contrary to Gods prohibition

As for the inner doors of the most holy place they were of gold (2 Chronicles 422) Several commentators have stated that the olive-wood doors of the Holy of Holies were not mentioned by the Chronicler but here they are the meaning being that they were overlaid with gold This is further evidence that the veil was omitted

20 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed

38

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

BENSON 2 Chronicles 420-22 That they should burn after the manner mdash According to the prescription of God to them by Moses The doors of the house were of gold mdash To wit in part For they were not entirely of massy gold but wood covered with plates of gold 1 Kings 631-35 and 2 Kings 1816

ELLICOTT (20) With (and) their lamps that they should burn after the manner (according to the legal rulemdash2 Chronicles 47) This is added by the chronicler who omits ldquofive on the right and five on the leftrdquo (Kings) The rest is as in Kings

PULPIT Candlesticks hellip lamps that they should burn after the manner before the oracle Ten candlesticks as we learn here and in 2 Chronicles 47 supersede in Solomons temple the one candlestick with its central shaft lamp and the three branch lamps on either side of Moses and the tabernacle This single candlestick was restored in Zerubbabels temple The present ten candlesticks or strictly candelabra of Solomon are said at one time to have been placed in a row like a rail before the veil and connected with a chain under which the high priest went on the Day of Atonement into the inner sanctuary The removal of these candelabra is recorded Jeremiah 5219 The expression after the manner points to the various and somewhat minute regulation for the lighting trimming and keeping alight of the lamps all or some of the candelabra (Exodus 2719-21 Le Exodus 241-3) The use of the word for lamp ( נר ) in some passages (1 Samuel 33 2 Samuel 2117 Proverbs 139 Proverbs 2027 Psalms 1829)suggests not the part as used for the whole in speaking of the candelabrum but more probably that the perpetual burning was not of all seven lamps but of one the central shaft

21 the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold)

CLARKE And the flowers and the lamps - 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

39

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

ELLICOTT (21) And the flowers goldmdashSee 1 Kings 749

And that perfect goldmdashIt was perfection of gold The word miklocircth ldquoperfectionsrdquo (intensive plural) occurs nowhere else It is derived from kacirclacirch ldquoto be finishedrdquo not kacirclal (Bishop Wordsworth) The LXX omits the clause not so the Vulg which renders ldquoall were made of purest goldrdquo This little touch added to heighten the effect is quite in the manner of the chronicler and is certainly not to be suspected as Zoumlckler asserts Perhaps we should read miklocircl ldquoperfectionrdquo (Ezekiel 2312) instead of the isolated miklocircth

And the snuffersmdashBefore this expression and the basons (1 Kings 750) has probably fallen out

SnuffersmdashShears or scissors for trimming the lamps

The spoons and the censersmdashOr trays and snuff-dishesmdashSee 1 Kings 750 Exodus 2538

And the entry of the housemdashIncluding both the doors of the nave or holy place and those of the chancel or holiest The words are explained by those which follow ldquoviz its inner doors to the holy of holies and the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave (hecirchacircl great hall)rdquo In 1 Kings 750 we read ldquoAnd the hinges to the doors of the inner housemdashviz the holy of holies (and) to the doors of the housemdashviz to the nave were of goldrdquo The word rendered hinges (pocircthocircth) resembles that rendered entry (pethah) and some have supposed that the latter is a corruption of the former and would alter our text accordingly Two reasons seem to be decisive against such a change (1) Pocircthocircth ldquohingesrdquo occurs nowhere else in the Bible and may not be genuine It is likely enough that the doors of the Temple were plated with gold (1 Kings 632 1 Kings 635) but hardly that their hinges were made of gold

PULPIT The flowers Hebrew פרה occurring sixteen times of which number it is translated flowers thirteen times buds twice and blossom once The flower was a part of the ornamentation of the branches of the candelabrum (Exodus 2531 Exodus 2533 ) The tongs Hebrew מלקחים occurring six times of which number it is translated five times tongs but once snuffers (Exodus 3723 ) This latter is the correcter translation perhaps The instrument at any rate was to trim the lamp-wicks (Exodus 2538)

22 the pure gold wick trimmers sprinkling bowls 40

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

dishes and censers and the gold doors of the temple the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and the doors of the main hall

BARNES The entry of the house - The text is by some corrected by 1Ki_750 ldquothe hingesrdquo of the doors of the house etc

CLARKE The doors - were of gold - That is were overlaid with golden plates the thickness of which we do not know

That every thing in the tabernacle and temple was typical or representative of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of Solomonrsquos Temple Spiritualized We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design though we may not be able to make a particular application of the knops the flowers the pomegranates the tongs and the snuffers to some Gospel doctrines such spiritualizing is in most cases weak silly religious trifling being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 422 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 holy [place] and the doors of the house of the temple [were of] gold

Ver 22 And the snuffers ampc] See on 2 Chronicles 411

COKE And the entry ampcmdash And the hinges and the doors of the inner house Houbigant See 1 Kings 750

REFLECTIONSmdash1st The making of all these vessels except the brazen altar we had 1 Kings 7 This was four times as wide and more than thrice as high as that of Moses Israel being increased and their sacrifices now likely to be more numerous a larger altar was needful According as God increases us we must honour him with our substance The sea and the lavers were of brass These stood in the open air without in the court of the priests within all was goldmdashthe nearer we approach to God the purer we must grow The golden altar ten new candlesticks and as many tables of pure gold were placed within the holy place where lights continually

41

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

burned where incense was daily offered and the shew-bread was placed all which were shadows of good things to come

1 The brazen altar which sanctified the gift where the sacrifice was accepted prefigured that Divine Redeemer both altar and sacrifice who by one oblation once offered obtained eternal redemption for us

2 The lavers and sea pointed out the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God upon the hearts of Gods spiritual priests cleansing them from their remaining filthiness of flesh and spirit

3 The table of shew-bread typified the constant provision which in the gospel-church should be made for all Gods people who should eat and drink before him to the refreshing of their souls

4 The candlesticks represented the word of gospel-truth shining as a light in a dark place and their number the clearer and increasing discoveries which God makes of himself to his people

5 The altar of incense signified that intercession which Jesus our high-priest makes who whilst we are praying without is standing before the mercy-seat and effectually presenting our supplications that they may be accepted and answered

2nd Huram the great artificer called his father 2 Chronicles 416 being the president and master over all the rest completely finished his work He who gave him understanding gave him strength Note The work of grace in the soul the spiritual temple which the Divine Artificer hath begun he will not fail to complete in every faithful soul till we shall be perfect in glory lacking nothing

PULPIT The snuffers Hebrew מזמרות occurring five times and always translated snuffers A slightly different form of the word is translated pruning-hooks four times in the Prophets Isaiah Joel Micah No doubt these snuffers were something different from the tongs of the preceding verse the use of one may have been rather to cut the wicks and the other to trim them The spoons Hebrew כף This is the word used so often for the hand but the essential idea of which is the hollow of either hand or foot or other thing and among other things of a spoon shape The word is used of the frankincense-cups (Numbers 714 Numbers 720 Numbers 726) brought to the dedication of the tabernacle by the several princes The censers Hebrew מחתות werbeH These were snuff-dishes (Exodus 2538 Exodus 3723 Numbers 49) The entry of the house Hebrew פתח Some think this word refers to the door-frames as distinct from the door-leaves or doors themselves But the parallel (1 Kings 750) gives us what is translated as hinges (Hebrew פת ) a word that occurs only here in any such sense as presumably (Gesenius Lexicon ) the hollowed part of a hinge and Isaiah 317 for the pudenda muliebria The mistaken transcribing of a kheth for a tau will amply account for the difference

42

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

BI And the entry of the house

The entry of the house

This central conspicuous and attractive suggestingmdash

I Access to God in Christian worship

II Access to symbolic beauty in Christian worship

1 Perfection of gold or material prosperity given to God

2 Palmsmdashgrowth and fruitfulness in Christian life

3 Flowersmdashbeauty and fragrance in Christian character

4 Cherubimsmdashalacrity in Godrsquos service (J Wolfendale)

The worth of grandeur

A fine house cannot make a fine tenant a first-class carriage cannot make a first-class traveller a man might sit down on a monarchrsquos throne and not be a sovereign he might even look like a king and be only a clown Decoration is useless if it does not express something beyond itself something spiritual ideal transcendental The picture is nothing if it does not in reality speak not indeed to the ear of the body but to the attention of the soul It is an amusing irony to see some people clothed in purple and fine linen because there is really no connection between them and their clothes we expect them to speak musically and lo their tones fill our mouths as with gravel-stones We expect a man to be at least as elegant as his clothes and when he is not we do not blame the garments it is more their misfortune than their fault that they should be where they are So when we read the specification of temples and palaces we say ldquoWhat does it amount to What is this grandeur worth in helping and blessing the world What is civilisation to end inrdquo (J Parker DD)

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 41 That is about 30 feet long and wide and 15 feet high or about 9 meters long and wide and 45 meters high

43

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44

2 Chronicles 42 That is about 7 12 feet or about 23 meters2 Chronicles 42 That is about 45 feet or about 14 meters2 Chronicles 43 That is about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 3 inches or about 75 centimeters2 Chronicles 45 That is about 18000 gallons or about 66000 liters2 Chronicles 417 Hebrew Zeredatha a variant of Zarethan

44